Bhavai

Understand

Where Bhavai comes from

Bhavai is a folk dance of Rajasthan performed by women of the Jat, Bhil, Raigar, Meena, Kumhar and Kalbelia communities. The form is presumed to have evolved from the exceptional balancing skill of women of these communities, who had to carry multiple pots of water on their heads over long distances in the desert regions of western Rajasthan. The first named Bhavai dancer of India was Mrs Krishna Vyas Chhangani of Jodhpur. The dance is a defining icon of Rajasthani street performance and is also widely performed in neighbouring Gujarat as a related but distinct tradition.

How it's practiced

Bhavai is performed solo by a woman dancer who balances up to 12 or more earthen pots, brass pitchers or metal thalis (plates) on her head, swaying and pirouetting while her feet — rather than the floor — are perched on the edge of a sword, on the rim of a brass thali, on top of a glass bottle or even on broken glass. The dance is a high-tension act — even a moment's loss of balance leads to an immediate cascade of dropped objects. The accompanying music is led by male performers playing pakhawaj, dholak, jhanjhar, sarangi and harmonium while singing melodious songs. Costume is the ghoonghat-veiled ghagra-choli with full silver jewellery.