Ghumura
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A powerful drum dance of Kalahandi in Odisha, in which dancers play an earthen drum, the ghumura, tied to their chest while they dance.
FolkWhere: Odisha (Kalahandi and nearby districts)Occasion: Dussehra and Nuakhai, the new-rice festival, as well as fairs and cultural shows
| Performed by | Men, in troupes |
|---|---|
| Costume | Colourful dhotis, jackets and headgear with peacock feathers, bells on the ankles |
| Music and instruments | The ghumura, a pot-shaped earthen drum with a skin head, played with nisan, tasa and the mahuri pipe |
How it is performed
- Each dancer ties a ghumura to his chest and plays it with both hands.
- The troupe dances in lines and circles, jumping, turning and kneeling as they drum.
- The leader sets the rhythm and changes the patterns, and songs are sung between bursts of drumming.
Significance
Ghumura is a symbol of Kalahandi’s cultural heritage. According to local tradition it was once danced before battle to raise the spirits of soldiers.