Saang (Swang)
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
Haryana's open-air folk theatre, in which troupes sing and act out old tales of kings, saints and lovers through the night.
Folk theatreWhere: HaryanaOccasion: Village fairs, festivals and evenings after harvest
| Performed by | Troupes of male actors led by a master (saangi); traditionally men also play the women's roles |
|---|---|
| Costume | Costumes for each character, from kings and queens to merchants and sadhus |
| Music and instruments | Dholak, harmonium, sarangi, nagara and cymbals, with songs in Haryanvi |
How it is performed
- The troupe performs on a simple raised platform in an open space, with the audience sitting on all sides.
- The story unfolds mostly through sung verse (ragini), with spoken dialogue and comic interludes in between.
- Actors dance and move around the stage so that every part of the audience can see them.
- Popular stories include Raja Harishchandra, Puran Bhagat and Hir Ranjha, and a performance can last for hours.
Significance
Saang was for long the main entertainment of Haryana's villages and a way to teach moral stories. Pandit Lakhmi Chand is the most famous saangi, and his verses are still sung across the State.