Rai
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A fast, joyful folk dance of Bundelkhand in which a woman dancer whirls to the beat of the dhol and nagadia while male singers and drummers answer her.
FolkWhere: Madhya Pradesh (Bundelkhand: Sagar, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and nearby districts)Occasion: Weddings, births, fairs and festivals, often through the night
| Performed by | Traditionally women dancers called Bedni, with male singers and drummers |
|---|---|
| Costume | Bright flared ghaghra, long veil, heavy silver jewellery and ghungroo (ankle bells) |
| Music and instruments | Dhol, nagadia (kettle drum), mridang, jhanjh and ramtula; songs in Bundeli |
How it is performed
- The drummers and singers form a semicircle, often lit by torches or lamps.
- A singer starts a short Bundeli verse (a phag or a song of love or teasing) and the drums pick up the rhythm.
- The dancer holds the corner of her veil and spins, sways and steps in time, her speed rising with the drums.
- A male dancer may join, playing the mridang or dancing opposite her in a playful exchange.
- Song and dance alternate in rounds, each faster than the last, until the drums stop together.
Significance
Rai is the best-known folk dance of Bundelkhand and an essential part of celebrations there. Folk artists have worked to bring it from village courtyards to the stage, and its exponent Ram Sahay Pandey received the Padma Shri.