Rai Dance

Understand

Where Rai Dance comes from

Rai dance is a folk dance of the Gond and Bhil tribal communities of central Madhya Pradesh, performed at weddings, at the harvest festivals and at life-cycle celebrations of the community. The dance is one of the lesser-documented but widely practised traditions of the central Indian tribal belt, and is recognised by state cultural departments as one of the regional folk forms of Madhya Pradesh. The name 'Rai' is likely related to a regional festival or to a community-specific observance. Like many of the central Indian stick- and circle-dances, Rai is performed at the interface of the agricultural calendar and the community's life-cycle events.

How it's practiced

Rai dance is performed by men and women in a circle or in two opposing rows, accompanied by the dhol drum and the bansuri flute. The dance proceeds through several rhythmic patterns with the leader calling changes and the ensemble responding in coordinated steps. Movements are vigorous, with high kicks and arm gestures characteristic of central Indian tribal dance. Costume is the everyday tribal dress — coloured turban for the men, ghagra-choli with silver jewellery for the women. The dance is performed at weddings, at the harvest festivals and at community gatherings across the Gond and Bhil heartland of central Madhya Pradesh.