Saang

Understand

Where Saang comes from

Saang is the folk-theatre of Haryana, performed by the hereditary swang (theatre) troupes and the rural Jat communities of the state. The form has its roots in the ancient village theatre tradition of northern India, with the dancers acting out folk tales (Lila of Pir-Piran, Khera-Pichhore, Harna-Harsahai) at the rural festivals. Saang is recognised as a major Hindustani folk-dance tradition of Haryana and is performed across the state with strong patronage from the regional Rajasthan-Haryana jogi (the ascetic) tradition. The form was modernised in the 20th century by the swangi troupes of Barabanki and was popularised at the state level by the artist Geeta Samvaya and later by the Samvaya Natya Sansthan. Today Saang is regularly staged at the Teej celebration of Gurugram, at the Gugga Naumi of Hisar, at the Kurukshetra festival and at the cultural programmes of the state.

How it's practiced

Saang is performed by a small troupe of 3-5 male performers (often drawn from the Bhaichara and Jat communities of rural Haryana) on the village chaupal or at the courtyard of a host's home. The performance alternates between dialogue-narration (with the actors role-playing the various characters) and vigorous dance interludes. The dance is fast and martial, with the actors leaping, twirling and performing mock-combat sequences with the heavy lathi sticks. Music is the dhol, the nagara and the single-stringed Ranhawa (a regional drone instrument). The dress is the colourful rural Jat dress — the dhoti-kurta with the bright turban and the lathi stick. The Saang typically runs through the night of the festival with successive acts.