By : Mahuya Banerjee

Folk-music is known to be based primarily on the dialect of the people. In other words, it is an expression necessitated to communicate ideas through the use of everyday language. Folk-songs generally maintain a natural contrast with the general language of composition. In geographically restricted areas, local words, crude and raucous expressions, occur normally. Chaste words, even if used, are converted into local phonetic characters. On the other hand, dialects carrying greater percentage of chaste vocabularies, occurring in some popular folk-songs, are liable to be initiated more by general vocalists. Of course, these chaste words are often covered by local intonation.

Bardo Cham – North Eastern Dance

The Sherdukpen tribe in the West Kameng district performs Bardo Chham. The dancers wear animal masks and perform to the beats of a variety of percussion instruments. A festive exultation in the victory of good over evil, the Bardo Cham is every bit of a surreal experience. The Sherdukpen tribe believes that there are twelve different bad powers that arrive in different months to disrupt the community’s happiness. Henceforth, the masks represent bad powers, and the goal of this art form is to keep these forces at bay. Before showing their dancing abilities, men and women dress in bright colours.


Wancho Dance – North Eastern Dance


The Wancho tribe performs this dance at festivals and other important cultural events. The dancers dress traditional garb, and the men carry a sword in their right hand. They perform a unique dance step that involves sword thrusting. After they’ve finished, the women begin to dance, and their song is frequently a response to the men’s folk song. Over a period of time, the entire procedure is repeated.


Ponung – North Eastern Dance


Ponung is one of Arunachal Pradesh’s most popular folk dances. It features female dancers and who perform before the harvest of main crops. They frequently dance in formations while holding one other’s hands. These dancers are led by a man who sings a variety of songs and plays the ‘Yoksha,’ a sword-like musical instrument. In the entire act, this is the sole instrument that is utilised as a prop. The contestants dress in traditional garb, which consists of a long black shirt and a skirt-like garment.


Although North-East Indian states look small enough on the map, the plethora of meaningful folk customs lend them a magnificent reputation. Therefore, Podium feels immense pride in introducing you to these dance forms which are a great departure from the strictures of classical dance. A picture of grace and simple gaiety, such dance forms live to sing to us about the brilliant aspects of the North-Eastern states of India.