Dholi Nritya (Dholi Dance)

Understand

Where Dholi Nritya (Dholi Dance) comes from

Dholi Nritya is the dholi (the small-hand-drum) dance of the Varli community of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, performed at the social gatherings of the community. The dance is associated with the cultural and the social life of the Varli community and is one of the documented regional traditions of DNH. The form is regularly performed at the cultural programmes of the union territory and at the regional community festivals.

How it's practiced

Dholi Nritya is performed by men of the Varli community at the central courtyard of the village or at the open ground of the festival. The men dance in coordinated steps to the song of the Dholi cycle and to the rhythm of the dholi (the small-hand-drum). The dance is gentle, with the small stepping rhythm of the Varli tradition. Costume is the everyday Varli dress — the dhoti and the regional shawl. Performances are at the central courtyard and at the cultural programmes of the union territory.