Ghoomar, Rajasthan, India
Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan, India and southern Asia. Ghoomar was developed by the Bhil tribe and was then adopted by other Rajasthani communities. It is performed by women in swirling robes, and accompanied by men and women singing together.
This folk dance gets its name from ‘ghoomna’, the pirouetting which displays the spectacular colors of the flowing ‘ghaghara’, the long skirt of the Rajasthani women. There is an amazing grace as the skirt flair slowly while the women folk twirl in circles, their faces covered with the help of the veil. Their measured steps and various graceful inclinations of the body, beating palms or snapping fingers at particular cadences while singing some lilting songs.Mostly Goddess Saraswati is worshipped during this dance.
This folk dance of Rajasthan is not just a display of rhythmic talent; its graceful performance in conjunction with the twirling of colourful, long-flowing skirts elevates its aesthetic appeal. While the dancers are only veiled women spinning around the room, occasionally snapping or clapping, both men and women are expected to sing together. Like so many folk dances, ghoomar is usually performed during special occasions to worship religious deities.