Kalbelia
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
The fast, snake-like dance of the Kalbelia community, once traditional snake charmers. Its songs and dances are on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
FolkWhere: RajasthanOccasion: Festivals, community celebrations and stage showsUNESCO heritage 2010
| Performed by | Women dance; men play the instruments |
|---|---|
| Costume | Black swirling skirts and odhnis embroidered with silver thread, mirrors and beads |
| Music and instruments | Poongi (been), the wind instrument of snake charmers, with dafli, khanjari and dholak |
How it is performed
- Men play the poongi and percussion while the singers start a song.
- Women dancers sway and twist their bodies with snake-like movements.
- The rhythm speeds up and the dancers spin rapidly, their black skirts swirling.
- Skilled dancers also bend backwards to the floor and perform tricks with the eyes and mouth.
Significance
The Kalbelia moved from village to village and caught snakes for a living. When snake charming was banned under wildlife law, their dance and songs became their main art and livelihood. 'Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan' were inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List in 2010.