Rajasthani Folk In Shilparamam: Events in Hyderabad

REVIEW FOR RAJASTHANI FOLK IN SHILPARAMAM

It is to be expected, now. However riveting the folk arts from other states be,
there is an annoying insistence on sandwiching them between a Kuchipudi or a Bharatanatyam
performance, however mundane the recital be. This evening saw folk dancers from
the Pali district of Rajasthan. Six of them - three male musicians (Jeevan, Vaktadas,
Lakshman Das), with ethnic percussion and a rustic-stringed Sarangi, backed the
three women (Bindu Bai, Chamiya and Paro) who balanced lit lamp pots on their
veiled heads, and danced to the typical rhythmic beat, and with curling grace.

Women clad in colorful, flowing skirts and shimmering, sequined blouses, and men in turbans and white robes, were a picture of celebration and lament at the same time. They tied cymbals to their anklets, knees, waist, and also on their upper arms, and played cyclic rhythms by striking them in concord with the other cymbals held in their palms. This is one of their 'Bhakti' practices of Bhajans that they render in the temples.

After this special show, the audience was made to witness a Kuchipudi dance. Earlier
in the evening, there was a brief Carnatic vocal recital by Aruna and Padma. Both
the sisters, one with a husky voice and another with a silvery tone, performed
in perfect sync, and rendered select devotional songs.