Terah Taali
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A devotional dance in which seated women strike small brass cymbals (manjeera) tied to their arms and legs in many rhythms, in praise of the folk deity Baba Ramdev.
DevotionalWhere: Rajasthan (Pali, Nagaur and Jaisalmer area)Occasion: Fairs and night vigils in honour of Baba Ramdev
| Performed by | Women of the Kamad community, with men singing |
|---|---|
| Costume | Ghaghra and odhni; manjeeras tied to wrists, elbows, waist and legs |
| Music and instruments | Tambura and devotional songs (bhajans) sung by men |
How it is performed
- Women sit on the ground with thirteen small cymbals tied to different parts of the body.
- Holding another cymbal in each hand, they strike the tied cymbals in fast rhythmic patterns.
- Some dancers hold a sword in the mouth or balance pots on the head while playing.
- Men sing bhajans of Baba Ramdev on the tambura as the rhythm continues.
Significance
Terah Taali (thirteen beats) is an offering to Baba Ramdev, a folk saint worshipped across communities in western India. It is performed especially at the Ramdevra fair.