Tarpa dance
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A circle dance of the tribal communities of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, in which men and women follow the player of the tarpa, a long wind instrument made from a dried gourd.
TribalWhere: Dadra and Nagar HaveliOccasion: After the harvest, at festivals such as Diwali and at weddings; often through the night
| Performed by | Men and women of the Warli, Kokna and other tribal communities, dancing together |
|---|---|
| Costume | Everyday village dress; women in sarees draped to the knee with silver and bead ornaments, men with turbans or caps |
| Music and instruments | The tarpa, a trumpet-like instrument of dried bottle gourd and bamboo pipes; sometimes with drums |
How it is performed
- The tarpa player stands in the centre or at the head of the line.
- Dancers link arms around each other’s waists to form a long chain or circle.
- They move with small, rhythmic steps, bending forward and back, following the tune of the tarpa.
- The chain winds and coils around the player, turning in spirals, and the pace changes as the tune changes.
Significance
The tarpa dance expresses the joy of the harvest and community life. The circling dancers and the tarpa player also appear in Warli wall paintings.