Garia dance
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A joyful group dance of the Tripuri and other communities performed during Garia Puja, when the god Garia is worshipped for a good harvest.
FolkWhere: TripuraOccasion: Garia Puja in April, soon after the New Year and at the start of the sowing season
| Performed by | Young men and women of the Tripuri, Jamatia and other communities |
|---|---|
| Costume | Women in risa and rignai with beads and silver ornaments; men in dhoti or rignai-style wraps with a turban |
| Music and instruments | The khamb (drum), sumui (bamboo flute) and other bamboo instruments |
How it is performed
- Villagers set up the shrine of Garia, made of a bamboo pole, and make offerings.
- Dancers form lines or a circle around the shrine.
- Their movements show the work of the jhum farmer: clearing the land, sowing seed and harvesting.
- Men and women dance in turn to the drum, singing songs of prayer and celebration.
Significance
Garia Puja and its dance seek blessings for children, livestock and a good crop. It is a public holiday in Tripura and one of the State's main festivals.