Dhamal (Chandigarh)

Understand

Where Dhamal (Chandigarh) comes from

Dhamal is the men's folk-dance of the Punjabi community of Chandigarh, performed at the marriage cycle of the community. The dance is associated with the cultural and the social life of the Punjabi men of the union territory and is performed at the central courtyard of the host. The form is regularly performed at the cultural programmes of the union territory and at the regional Punjabi community festivals of Chandigarh.

How it's practiced

Dhamal is performed by men of the Punjabi community of Chandigarh in a circle at the central courtyard of the host or at the open ground of the festival. The men dance in vigorous steps to the song of the Dhamal cycle and to the rhythm of the dhamal (the large two-headed drum). The dance is energetic, with the men's lunges and the small steps of the Punjabi tradition. Costume is the everyday Punjabi dress — the dhoti-kurta with the colourful turban. Performances are at the marriage cycle and at the cultural programmes of the union territory.