Raibenshe
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A martial folk dance of Bengal performed by men with acrobatic moves that imitate drawing a bow, hurling a spear and wielding a sword.
MartialWhere: West Bengal, especially Birbhum, Bardhaman and Murshidabad districtsOccasion: Village festivals and cultural programmes
| Performed by | Men, in groups |
|---|---|
| Costume | Dhoti tied tightly in the warrior style, with brass anklets on the right ankle |
| Music and instruments | Dhol and kansi (a gong-like metal plate) |
How it is performed
- Dancers stand in a line or circle and march in step to the dhol.
- They act out the moves of warriors: shooting arrows, throwing spears and swinging swords.
- The pace quickens into jumps, squats and acrobatic leaps.
- The beat of the drum and the clang of the anklets keep the group together.
Significance
The name is often traced to ‘bansh’, bamboo, for the bamboo staffs or bows once carried. In the 1930s the folklorist Gurusaday Dutt revived and promoted Raibenshe as part of his Bratachari movement.