Dandiya of Lakshadweep (Lakshadweep Dandiya)

Understand

Where Dandiya of Lakshadweep (Lakshadweep Dandiya) comes from

The Lakshadweep Dandiya is the Dandiya Raas of the islanders of Lakshadweep, performed by men and women of the Keralite communities at the Navaratri festival of the island. The dance is the regional adaptation of the Gujarati Dandiya tradition, performed at the central courtyard of the island. The form is one of the documented regional traditions of Lakshadweep and is regularly performed at the cultural programmes of the union territory.

How it's practiced

The Lakshadweep Dandiya is performed by men and women of the Keralite community in two facing rows at the central courtyard of the island or at the open ground of the festival. The men and women hold the dandiya (the short stick) in each hand and strike the sticks against partners' sticks in the eight-beat kaherva rhythm. The dance is energetic, with the small jumps and the rhythmic coordination of the Keralite tradition. Music is the dhol, the chenda and the small cymbals. Costume is the traditional Keralite dress of the island — the colourful sari for the women and the dhoti-kurta for the men. Performances are at the central courtyard and at the cultural programmes of the union territory.