Karma Tribal Dance in India

India is an umbrella for the the vibrant tribal set, which describes the colorful art of living a life. The Swaying body and clapping hands follows the rhythm of drum-beats and speaks about the many dances involved in the tribal culture. One popular tribal dance form is the Karma type, highly performed by Adivasis residing at the interior of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in India. Tribal groups like Gonds, the Baigas and the Oraons in Chattisgarh are masters in this jazzing art. Other tribes of Madhya Pradesh like the Thumki, the Payri, the Chhalla and Jhumki are also seen to have gain momentum in this folk dance.

The traditional dance is preformed specially during the Karma Festival held as per the Hindu month of Bhadrapada(August). Folks believe that this dance is a way to pay tribute to Lord Karma. Both men and women arrange themselves in two rows and follow the rhythmic steps, directed by the singer group. The Karma tribal dance marks the end of the rainy season and the advent of spring season. Participants cuts the branches of Karam tree and thereafter dancing session follows the insertion of this branches in the dancing ground called “ akhara”. The branches are named as Karam Raja and tribal believes that this activity offers them with good fortune through out the year.

The Karma Dance gets its tempo with the quick beating of drums and loud style of singing. The dance manifest the arrival of flower, fruit and freshness thereby marking India evermore beautiful.

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Manipur Magic with Musical Instruments

Manipur, situated in the North-eastern part of India is a renowned for music and dance. The tribes residing in the state are of Kuki origin, but their life style depicts the Naga tribes. The tribes of Manipur, reverberates the deep-seated culture and tradition submerged with the colorful music. Besides, depending on agricultural productivity, the market is the mainly known for its cottage industries, which manufactures a wide range of musical instruments.

The Thoda Kuki Tribe dominating the greater part of Manipur viz: Imphal, Churachandpur belt, Sekmai, Senapati and other districts of Manipur are the master in instrumental music rather than vocal. The orchestras complementing with dance is the way of a happy life. Both man and women perform a number of jigging group dance like Sheltoldel, Boncho and Lholhit.

The Thodas are imperative to making a range of musical instruments. The harmonized note produced by the quality tool has made a mark in the modern orchestra too. Some hand-crafted musical instrument are-

Dapi: a Burmese wood chime.
Diemgdong: a Xylophone consisting of six wooden slats and laid across two cords fastened at one end.
Khoung: a drum made from hollow section of tree trunk and covered in both side with hide membranes.
Khuli: a bamboo flute.
Gu-da: an instrument similar to bengal ektara.
Pheiphot: comprises of ten simple bamboo tubes of measured length.
Gu-Shem: a bamboo mouth organ.

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