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The fire
dance is performed in the desert region of Rajasthan on the festive
occasions like Holi, Janmastami etc. This unique dance performance
draws attention of the viewers from all over the world. The
traditional fire dance is performed by the Banjara community.
The
Jasnathis of Bikaner and Chum are well known for their tantric powers
all over Rajasthan which they inherit from elders and this dance is
the wonderful example of their lifestyle. These people are brave and
that is the reason why they have been able to carry this deadly dance
from years. A very large ground is prepared with burning charcoal and
lives wood and on this the men and boys jump on it and tap their feet
on this burning fire. They are accompanied and boosted up by the
musical beats of traditional drum. The dancers don’t show any worry
where as the audience do get tensed up. The claps of audience do
generate energy in these dancers.
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The dance
takes place on a large ground, which is extended with live wood and
charcoal. On this ground, the Jasnathi men and boys jump on to the
fire with the necessary part of drum beats.
These
drum beats give a beat for the presentation. This music slowly rises &
sets a dance in a fast tempo. At a definite point, it reaches at a
climax, where the dancers seem to be in a hypnotic state. The dancers
perform their actions as if they are blessed with a marvelous
protection. The performance on a large bed of burning coals is well
thought-out as a specialty of this region. These devotional &
thrilling performances are typically seen during the late nights of
winter.
Some of the traditional folk dance of Rajasthan by the Banjara
Community is also known as the fire dance. But this dance is totally
different from the above-mentioned performance. Here, the dance is
performed around the Fire. The person dancing usually takes two
burning sticks in his hands and fills up his mouth with kerosene oil.
With the necessary part of some dancing steps, he throws the oil over
the lamps.
Marvelous protection is to be offered, the Jasnaiths of Bikaner and
Churu must be responsible for capturing most of it. These dancers
perform on a large bed of burning coals, their steps moving to the
beat of drums that rises in climax till the dancers appear to be in a
near-relaxing state. These religious performances are generally to be
seen late on winters.
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