Context:
The Assam government is gearing up for a grand Jhumur dance performance featuring 8,000 tea tribe artists.
Relevance:
GS I: Culture
About Jhumur
- Overview
- Jhumur is a traditional dance associated with the tea tribe communities of Assam.
- It is typically performed during the Autumn season in Assam and is also seen in some parts of West Bengal.
- Performance Setting and Participants
- The dance is mainly performed by young girls in open spaces such as fields or under trees.
- The girls are accompanied by male members who help maintain rhythm, provide vocals, and play musical instruments.
- Musical Accompaniment
- The performance is characterized by the rhythmic beats of the Madal, a two-headed hand drum.
- Additional musical elements include the flute and a pair of Taals, which enhance the harmony of the music.
- During the dance, the girls hold each other’s waists and move their hands and legs in a coordinated forward and backward motion.
- Themes and Context
- Jhumur includes songs and dialogues that reflect the everyday experiences of common people, including their joys, sorrows, desires, and aspirations.
- The dance may serve various purposes: ritual worship, courtship, prayers for rain, or simply as a recreational activity between agricultural tasks.
-Source: India Today
