Dandiya raas
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A lively Navratri dance in which pairs of dancers strike decorated wooden sticks in rhythm as they move in two circles.
FolkWhere: GujaratOccasion: Navratri nights, after garba, and festive gatherings
| Performed by | Men and women in pairs |
|---|---|
| Costume | Bright embroidered chaniya choli and kediyu, with silver jewellery |
| Music and instruments | Dhol, shehnai and folk songs, many of them about Krishna and the gopis |
How it is performed
- Each dancer holds a pair of short, coloured wooden sticks (dandiya).
- Dancers stand in two circles, one moving clockwise and the other anticlockwise.
- Each dancer strikes sticks with the partner opposite, then moves on to the next partner.
- The steps and stick strikes follow the beat, which speeds up as the dance goes on.
Significance
Raas is linked with the raas lila of Krishna and the gopis of Vrindavan and Dwarka. It is one of the most popular folk dances of western India.