Jhumar
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A slow, graceful men's dance of swaying movements, danced in a circle around the drummer, often on moonlit nights after the harvest.
FolkWhere: PunjabOccasion: Harvest time, weddings and fairs
| Performed by | Men, in a circle |
|---|---|
| Costume | Kurta, tehmat and turban, as in Bhangra |
| Music and instruments | Dhol played at a gentle, lilting pace with songs |
How it is performed
- Dancers form a circle around the dhol player.
- They move round slowly, swaying the body and swinging the arms in wide, rounded movements.
- Hands are raised above the head and brought down to the side in time with the song.
- The circle turns steadily rather than leaping, giving the dance a calm, rocking feel.
Significance
Jhumar is thought to have come from the Sandal Bar area, now in Pakistan, and was carried to east Punjab by families who moved after Partition. It is valued as a gentler, more graceful counterpart to Bhangra.