Chari dance
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Women dance with brass pots (chari) balanced on their heads, with a lit lamp on top, showing the daily journey to fetch water in the desert.
FolkWhere: Rajasthan (Kishangarh and Ajmer area)Occasion: Weddings, the birth of a son and festivals
| Performed by | Women, in groups |
|---|---|
| Costume | Bright ghaghra, choli and odhni, with heavy silver jewellery |
| Music and instruments | Dhol, nagada and harmonium with folk songs |
How it is performed
- Each dancer balances a brass pot on her head, often with a lamp burning on top.
- Dancers move in lines and circles with small, smooth steps so the pot stays still.
- Hands and wrists sweep gracefully while the body stays upright.
- Some dancers sit, kneel and rise again while keeping the pot balanced.
Significance
The dance honours the hard work of women who walk long distances to bring water in a dry land. It is linked mainly with the Gujar community of the Kishangarh area.