DANCES

 DANCES:- The people of Lahoul are very much fond of dancing and singing. In their leisure time they amuse themselves with dancing.  During marriages and community pujas they dance and sing with great enthusiasm. They do not miss any occasion, may be incidental or an opportunity, for rejoicing by singing, dancing and drinking. Even if nothing happens the occasion for such rejoicing is arranged for whiling away the idleness of long winter days. The dancers generally are accompanied by flute, nagaras, dhols and a thali of bronze. The dance formation can be circle, semi circle or concentric circle. The steps are simple but the older people known complicated steps also. The tempo in the beginning is slow but works its way up to an exciting climax. In Lahoul following dances are performed by the inhabitants. GARPHI is a dance performed jointly by ladies and gents. The dancers move in a circle with the beating of drums and playing of flute. This is the oldest form of dance in Lahoul. In this dance the movements are neither regular nor regulated. The dancers exhibits the spontaneity of a wild and carefree life, ex-pression of joy and relaxation. The movements, wild as they are, are often accompanied by yells of 'BALLE- BALLE HO.. HO..', SHABALE- SHABALLE.. etc. This is the most simple dance and dancers can make their own formations, footwork and gestures.CHHAM or devil dance is a religious dance normally performed in the gompas. The dancers are dressed in bright and gaily coloured costumes and gorgeous masks of different animals, birds and demons. The dancers follow repetitive pattern with rhythmical stamping of feet and slow movements in a circle. GHUREY is a dance without musical instruments. In this dance there is no arm linking by the dancers. An elderly man gives the lead, the footwork comes into operation and the dancers repeat the lines sung by the leader. This dance is meant for all festive occasions which generally fall in the winter. Ghurey, in fact, is a denomination both for the dance and songs merging into one. The mythological stories from Mahabharata, Ramayana and the puranas form the main source of these songs and dances.   SHENI is almost like 'Shen' dance. Sometimes dancers give loud cheers accompanied by the clapping of hands. The dancers either link their hands together or put their hands on the shoulders of each other. Forming a circle or semi circle they go round dancing, swinging the body this way and that with simple footwork. CHHODPA is a pantomime [facial ex-pression to convey meaning] performance, with masks and is performed with the beating of drums.