Jat-Jatin
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A Mithila folk dance-drama in which women act out the love, quarrels and hardships of a husband (Jat) and wife (Jatin).
FolkWhere: Bihar (Mithila and Koshi region)Occasion: Moonlit nights in the monsoon season, and cultural programmes
| Performed by | Women of the village, one playing Jat and another Jatin, with a chorus |
|---|---|
| Costume | Everyday cotton sarees; the woman playing Jat may wear a man’s turban or dhoti |
| Music and instruments | Folk songs sung by the chorus, with dholak and clapping |
How it is performed
- Women gather in a courtyard or open space in the evening.
- Two dancers take the roles of Jat and Jatin while the others form a group and sing.
- Through song and dance they act out short scenes: meeting, teasing, quarrelling, separation and making up.
- The songs often speak of drought, poverty and longing, and end with a prayer for rain.
Significance
Jat-Jatin is one of the best-known folk dances of north Bihar. It is traditionally linked with prayers for rain and gives voice to the lives and feelings of village women.