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Bhavai is a genre of folk dance popular in Rajasthan
state in western India. The male or female
performers balance a number of earthen pots or brass
pitchers as they dance nimbly, pirouetting and then
swaying with the soles of their feet perched on the
top of a glass, on the edge of the sword or on the
rim of a brass thali (plate) during the performance.
First Bhavai Dancer of India was Mrs.Krishna Vyas
Chhangani, who born in Jodhpur (Rajasthan).The Dance
form consists of veiled women dancers balancing up
to seven or nine brass pitchers as they dance
nimbly, pirouetting and then swaying with the soles
of their feet perched on the top of a glass or on
the edge of the sword. There is a sense of cutting
edge suspense and nail biting acts in the dance.
The accompaniment to the dance is provided by the
male performers singing melodious songs and playing
a number of musical instruments, which include
pakhawaj, dholak, jhanjhar, sarangi, and harmonium.
Bhavai dance form is carried with superb talent with
the art of spinning and dancing still maintaining an
excellent balancing work and also posing several
objects and articles on dancer�s head. The tribes of
Rajasthan such as Bhils, Meenas, Kumhars, Jat,
Kalbelia and Chamars promoted and enriched this folk
dance with passage of time. The tribe of snake
charmers, Kalbelia, is specially considered expert
in the art of balancing and the female dancers of
this tribe perform jovial welcome while holding clay
pitchers up to ten on their head.
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