Jhora dance belongs to the state of Uttarakhand. It originated in the Kumaon region. This magical folk dance form binds people of all castes. Everyone enjoys the dance with a peaceful mind.
Jhora dance is usually seen in the evening at weddings or fairs. As the dancers perform, everyone watching fills up with energy. Everyone jumps up to join the dance. It is generally performed in the spring season. People from all around the country come to witness this magnificent folk dance form.
Jhora Dance Performance
The men and women join hands and move in the circular formation. They bend their bodies smoothly. The dancers sway their bodies with every beat starting from left to right.
There is no restriction on the number of people who can participate. Everyone keeps on joining with every beat of the song. The whole place gets full of people enjoying the dance very soon.
Jhora dance is incomplete without the famous traditional drum known as “Hurka”. Imagine the drum beating in the background and a large group of people dancing their feet on the beats. The beats are different from traditional Indian drums.
Dance Steps
The steps are unique in Jhora dance. First, the dancers take their right leg up and cross the left leg, then strike the right leg on the floor. Then on the next beat, they throw their left leg on sideways accompanying it with a jump, and polish it with a little dip. This is the primary step they follow. After this, they all return to their original position. The primary step is followed in the whole dance form giving a chance to both the legs.
Every step is accompanied by a small and smooth jump and classic neck movements. The songs have a unique way, as well. The songs are much more like a conversation between men and women. Whenever the dance circle is big enough, the musician plays the Hurka with some cymbals and flute performers in the middle of the circle.
This dance does not have any time limitation. Many times it goes on for about twenty-four hours as well. The old performers leave the circle, and the new ones keep joining. With this continuous joining process, the dance is able to stretch for a very long period.
Many times, when people are very enthusiastic and energetic, they perform with two storeys the famous Do Manjila Jhora.
Jhora Dance Costumes
The costumes in the Jhora dance are very glamorous. The women dress up to look their best. They wear all kinds of simple ornaments like earrings, necklaces, bangles, etc. The ornaments may be simple, but the energy they have in themselves make them look glamorous.
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