If you see the dances of Ladakh, it has a touch of Tibetan Buddhism; you must see the dances of the Ladakh covered by the masks. Their regional music accompanies the dances by the beats of the drum and the other traditional instruments which creates the very graceful and sweet music. There are some very attractive forms of performing art available in Ladakh; which got success in showing the imagination. Dance of Leh Ladakh are the unseparable part of this historical state.
All the dance form is performed by the regional people in different festivals, occasions and celebrations. They have very special dance forms for different occasions like marriage ceremony, celebration of birth and at the time of crop harvesting. When you visit Leh Ladakh, try to attend any celebration, where you will get to see the dance form, they have a very special aura of dance which will make you part of it, when you are just a watcher, even if you are sitting miles away from the performance.
1- Spawo Dance
The Spawo dance is an integral part of the Ladakhi culture and is highly appreciated as a folk dance form. This is one of the oldest forms of the folk dances in the state of Kashmir in the Ladakh region. The dance form depicts the courage of the martyrs and this dance form is inspired by the major martial arts of the Kashmir valley.
History
The Spawo dance is one of the best forms of the folk dances from the valley of Kashmir. The dance was originated exclusively in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the country of India. The dance form is being tremendously inspired by the martial art forms which are being performed exclusively in the Ladakh region of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the country of India.
Description
The Spawo dance is a folk dance form of the people of the Ladakh region in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmir region has a very interesting history as this lies in the Line of Control between the countries of India and Pakistan. The countries of India and Pakistan have witnessed a lot of conflict and political tensions in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. There are a number of folk dances that had originated in the state of Kashmir over the course of time. Kashmir is a beautiful valley and is a major tourist destination. There are millions of the tourists who visit the land of Kashmir for enjoying the natural beauty and witness the rich culture and tradition of the people residing in the region of Ladakh.
There is a glorious history of the martyrs who have fought for the welfare of the region and are considered to be the extreme courageous people who could give their lives for their motherland. The Spawo dance is highly inspired by the martial arts of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This dance form portrays tremendous courage and is performed with pleasant music and colorful costumes. There are certain props which are being used in this form of folk dance and is highly appreciated and acclaimed among the curators and dance loving audience from across the globe. The Spawo dance form is also taken as a token of tribute to the powerful warriors who once fought and also sacrificed their lives for the integrity of the land in a major way.
2- Shone Dance
Earlier Shone dance had a royal security and it was only performed, during festive occasions. There are many songs which are sung for this dance, it gives the richness to the performance. This dance is of the Mons and people perform this dance only in Ladakh’s rural parts.
3- Drugpa-Rches
This dance form is presented by the Dards, people who belongs from the Aryan origin. Dards are situated in the Gorkhan and Drass areas of the Ladakh region. These explorers are called as the Drugpas, which means Normads. These people are generally vegetarian and the costume which they make for their festivals has the silver ornaments and also colorful blooming flowers. For this dance, they use very big drums which called as Surna and Daman, to create a rhythmic music.
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4- Jabro Dance
This dance is the nomadic communities dance form, which has their origin of Tibetan, they live in the Changthang area’s high hills, and it is located in Ladakh. Jabro dance is presented by the Ladakhi women and men in almost all their festival and other celebrative occasions. Jabro dance is a part of the Ladakhi Losar celebrations, which they celebrate on the New Year of the Tibetan festival. In this dance, the very sweet and rhythmic song is sung with the company of musical instrument Damian; it is like a guitar, it has strings and also the flute.
5- Bagstonrches
The dance of Ladakhi marriage, called as Bagstonrches is done for many weeks, in the ceremonies of the marriage. In this dance, the bridegroom and bride participates as well. This marriage dance is presented on the tunes of the songs, which is accompanied with the tunes that are harmonious; created by the instruments like Daman and Surna instruments. All these instruments create sweetness in the dance performance and the wedding atmosphere.
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6- Lamas Dances
Ladakh’s best dance forms are performed by the monks and the Lamas in religious monasteries. Lamas dances have very spiritual and angelic aura in the surroundings and it also include several practices of Tantrik. Lamas dances are presented with lots of attractive decoration and festive atmosphere, especially at Losar. Losar is their festival of the New Year. Through this Lamas dance, they portray the struggle between the evil and the god. To perform the dance, they use the masks, for characterization.
7- Koshan Dance
This dance form is very famous in Kashmir’s Leh area. The uniqueness about this dance is that it is presented during the horse riding and the person who is riding the horse is known as Landak. Dances of Ladakh are very majestic and colorful. The movements of the Koshan dance are very pleasant and slow, this dance is complimented as a rich jewel Peraks, it is a silver ornament and to make this dance rich, they also create rich music.
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8- Yak Dance
The Yak dance’s theme is very interesting and unique, in this dance two people wear the skin of the animal Yak and they dance by using the elegant and nice movements. By wearing the Yak’s skin they jump, sit, turn over and also run in one circle with the perfect synchronization. In this performance, the milkmaid lady comes, but the Yak ignored her, after that the milkman comes and he hit the Yak by lash. He takes him under control and takes the Yak away.
9- Tukhstanmo
It is a seasonal dance form, which is performed in the Bakhamul and Zanskar area. This dance is also known as flower dance, and it is a bit famous in the valley of Nubra area. This dance performance is done, when the new blossom of the flower comes and it is dedicated to the deity.
10- Surahi Dance
This dance is also called as Chang Rches. In Surahi dance, performer carry the Chang’s pot, over their head and with that pot, they do the performance.
