The people of Rajasthan live life to the hilt. After hard work in the harsh desert sun and the rocky terrain whenever they take time off they let themselves go in gay abandon. There is dancing, singing, drama, devotional music and puppet shows and other community festivities, which transform the hardworking Rajasthani into a fun-loving and carefree individual. Each region has its own folk entertainment, the dance styles differ, as do the songs. Interestingly enough, even the musical instruments are different.

Off considerable significance are the devotional songs and the communities who render these songs. Professional performers like the Bhaats, Dholis, Mirasis, Nats, Bhopas and Bhands are omnipresent across the state. They are patronized by the villagers who participate actively in the shows put up by these traveling entertainers.

Some of the best known entertainers of Rajasthan are the Kalbeliya dancers with their rhythmic snake dances. And the langhas and the Manganiyars of Jaisalmer have now traveled all over the world to entertain audiences, so simple and uncomplicated, but compelling , is their repertoire.

Some of the better known forms of entertainment are:

BHAVAI

One of the state’s most spectacular performances, it consists of veiled women dancers balancing up to seven or nine brass pitchers as they dances nimbly, pirouetting and swaying with the soles of their feet perched on top of glass, or on the edge of a sword. There is a sense of cutting edge suspense to the performance, and even though some of the hotel performers use only  papier mache  pots that are stuck together , the  eat is still one of amazing dexterity.

CHARI DANCE

This is popular in the Kishangarh region and involves dancing with a chari, or pot, on one’s head. A lighted lamp is then placed on the pot.

DRUM DANCE

This is a professional dance-form from Jalore. Five men with huge drums round their necks, some with huge cymbals accompany a dancer who holds a naked sword in his mouth and performs vigorously by twirling three painted sticks.

FIRE DANCE

The Jasnathis of Bikaner and Churu are renowned for their tantric powers and this dance is in keeping with their lifestyle. A large ground in prepared with live wood and charcoal where the Jasnathi men and boys jump on to the fire to the accompaniment of drum beats. The music gradually rises in tempo and reaches a crescendo, the dancers seem to be in a trance like state.

GAIR

Another Holi dance but performed only by men. This becomes Dandia Gair in Jodhpur and Geendad in Shekhawati.

GAIR GHOOMAR

This is one of the many dance-forms of the Bhil tribals. Performed during Holi festival, this is among a few performances where both men and women dance together.

GHOOMAR DANCE

This is basically a community dance for women and performed on auspicious occasions. Derived from the word ghoomna, pirouette, this a very simple dance where the ladies move gently, gracefully in circles.

KACHHI GHODI

This is a dance performed on dummy horses. Men in elaborate costumes ride the equally well decorated dummy horses. Holding naked swords, these dancers move rhythmically to the beating of drums and fifes. A singer narrates the exploits of the Vavaria bandits of Shekhawati.

KATHAK

This formal, classical dance evolved as gharana in the courts of Jaipur  where it reached a scale that established it as distinct from the other centre of kathak , Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Even today, the Jaipur gharana is well established though performances occur in other centres rather than in the state where the opportunity for classical dance forms has been on the decline for a while. 

KATHPUTLI

Puppet plays based on popular legends are performed by skilled puppeteers. Displaying his skill in making the puppets act and dance, the puppeteer is accompanied by a woman, usually his wife, who plays the dholak, or drums and sings the ballad.

MAAND

Rajasthan’s most sophisticated style of folk music and has come a long way from the time it was only sung in royal courts, in praise of the Rajput rulers.

Professional singers still sing the haunting ballads of Moomal-Mahendra, Shola-Maru and other legendary lovers and heroes.

List of singers and performers also includes the Mirasis and Jogis of Mewat, Manganiyars and Langas, Kanjars, Banjaras and Dholies.Performances like the Kuchamani Khayal, Maach, Tamasha, Rammat, Nautanki and Raasleela are no less popular. The musical instruments of Rajasthan are simple but quite unusual. Handcrafted by the musicians themselves they are rather unique and include instruments like the Morchang, Naad, Sarangi, Kamayacha, Rawanhatha, Algoza, Khartal, Poongi, Bankia and Daf. There are dozens of other instruments, which are exclusive to Rajasthan only.

It is a rather difficult task to list all the different types of music, dance and entertainment that can be found in Rajasthan. The range is mindboggling.

PABUJI KI PHAD

A 14^th century folk hero, Pabuji is revered by the Bhopa community. The phad, or scroll, which is about 10 metres long, highlights the life and heroic deed of Pabuji. The Bhopas are invited by villagers to perform in their areas during times of sickness and misfortune. The ballad is sung by the Bhopa as he plays the Ravan-hattha and he is joined by his wife who holds a lamp and illuminates the relevant portions at appropriate points.

SAPERA DANCE

On of the most sensuous dance forms of Rajasthan, performed by the ‘Kalbeliya snake- charmers’ community, the sapera dancers wear long, black skirts embroidered with silver ribbons. As they spin in a circle, their body sways acrobatically, so that it is impossible to believe that they are made of anything other than rubber. As the beat increases in tempo, the pace increases to such a pitch that it leaves the viewer as exhausted as the dancer.

TEERAH TAALI

The kamad community of Pokhran and Deedwana perform this dance in honour of their deity, Baba Ramdeo. A rather unusual performance where the men play a four-stringed instrument called a chau-tara and the women sit with dozens of manjeeras, or cymbals, tied on all over their bodies and strike them with the ones they hold in their hands. Sometimes, the women also hold a sword between their teeth or place pots with lighted lamps on their heads.