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Dancing grief away
Dancing grief away
AS the third biggest tribal group in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the unique culture of the Tripura stands out among the other tribes with its legendary dances, songs and folklore. The 'Bottle Dance' and the "Garaiya Dance" are most popular among the folk dances that are steeped in the rich cultural heritage of the people of Tripura.
The main attraction of Baisyu festival, the Garaiya dance, which goes on for three to seven days, has recently seen participation of women along with the traditional male dancers.
The Garaiya god, often associated with Shiva as symbols of the Sky God, enjoys two pujas at his temple at the beginning and end of the Garaiya dance, which also starts and ends at the same house. The agri-based Tripura society dances in between the two pujas in their prayer for rain, protection of the Jum crops from evil and keep them safe from harm.
ORIGINS OF THE DANCE:
A whole range of theories disputes the origins of the Garaiya dance. The most common and accepted tale narrates that the name of the dance was adopted from a wife of Shiva --Sati or Gauri.
Hindu mythology tells the story of Dakkhya Raj, father of Gauri, who took refuge in god to invite peace on the earth and decided to hold a Yogic prayer ceremony with all the gods, but Shiva. Insulted by the exclusion of her husband, Gauri, hurled a volley of questions towards her father on why Shiva was left out.
In his reply, Gauri's father told her that Shiva was uncivilized
apostate as he was half-naked, with his hair in a bun, and going around cremation grounds with ghosts. Unable to bear such an insult to her husband, Gauri's soul departed her body and unleashed apocalyptic expressions of anger by Shiva. In his grief, Shiva danced so powerfully that it nearly brought the world to its end, and the heavens shook to melt the clouds down as rain.
The Tripura tribe has come to hold the belief that if they pray to the goddess Gauri, who is locally known as Gauraiya, she will send down the rains in return during the month of Chaitra in the Bengali year.
THE RITUALS OF GARAIYA:
If one is dancing for the first time, he/she has to continue for three years consecutively. The dancers have to congregate on the day of Hari Baisyu, announce their names and adorn their dresses to
participate.
Conducted by a priest, the 22 rhythms and changes of pace of the Garaiya dance describes the journey of life and afterlife from birth through the 22 gestures or mudras, such as conquering front yards, planting Jum, calling women, and dancing like deers.
Each of the 22 male dancers has to carry a spear that has a decorated Risa, or a piece of cloth for women to cover their breasts. The risas are decorated with rice, grass, cotton fluff, and silver coins and sported on the spearhead of the Kherabai, the local name for Garaiya dancers.
A stool, a white octagon-shaped umbrella, a hand fan, knife and alcohol is a must for any dancer in the seven days of the dance.
Story: ARUNENDU TRIPURA
Photo: SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN