Deodhani dance

Deodhani dance (Assamese: দেওধনী নৃত্য) is a Shaman folk dance from the Indian state of Assam. It is as a solo or group performance. Deodhani is of Bodo-kachari origin.[1] In the group performance, it essentially comprises 3 or 4 women. This dance form is associated with the worship of the snake goddess Manasa or Marei/Maroi. A Deodhani dance is generally performed to the accompaniment of songs sung by an oja, an Assamese traditional chorus leader, [2] during the dance in undivided Darrang district only.

History

Deodhani is derived from two words, i.e. Deo means God and Dhani means woman literally meaning a woman possessed (Shaman) by god. A male Shaman form is also present called 'Jaki' in South Kamrup and 'Deodhai' in rest of the areas of Assam. The term 'Deodhani' depicts the dance of a Shaman woman or man when he/she is possessed by a spiritual being. In Deodhani the songs sung by Ojapali are known as Xuknoni in undivided Darrang district whereas in undivided Kamrup district it is accompanied by Kamrupi Bor-Dhul's.[3][4]

Specification

They take a sword and shield and display a virile war dance during the performance.[4][5]

References
  1. Arabinda Nath Sharma writes, “Deodhani and Deodhai” dance are connected with the culture of Bodo-kachari(the original inhabitants) of the state. Deodhai, the male oracle, and Deodhani, the female oracle, as priestly dances are essential at the time of various ethnic folk religious beliefs like Marai Puja, Kherai etc. shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/145313/11/11_chapter%203.pdf
  2. Oja-pali Archived 11 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine, WebIndia
  3. "Assam - Performing Arts". Nezcc.in. 8 September 2012. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  4. "Beauty Of Assam". Info-assam.hpage.co.in. 28 November 2009. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  5. Sainik Samachar: The Pictorial Weekly of the Armed Forces. 1990. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2013.


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