Sohar

Understand

Where Sohar comes from

Sohar is the women's song-and-dance tradition of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, performed in the house of a family that has just had the birth of a child (especially a son). The tradition is closely related to the Maithili folk-song genre of Sohar Geet, with roots in the women's folk poetry of the region. The Sohar songs are sung to the accompaniment of finger-claps and slow swaying dance, and the form is one of the defining women's community celebrations of the Bhojpuri / Maithili speaking region. The Sohar tradition is performed by women of the community for the new mother and the baby, and is also staged at cultural programmes as a representation of the rich women's folk-song repertoire of the region.

How it's practiced

Sohar is performed by groups of women in the home of the new mother, gathered in a circle around the cradle of the baby and singing the Sohar songs while gently swaying and clapping. The dance is gentle and joyful, with the women sharing in the celebration of the new life through song. The accompanying instruments are the dholak and small cymbals, with occasional poetry of praise for the mother, the baby and for Sonpur-Sasand (the gift-giving ceremony at Chhath Puja). Costume is the colourful Bhojpuri / Maithili festive sari with the traditional bridal adornments of the region. The performance is intimate, song-led, and runs from the early evening through the night of the child's first days. The dance continues informally as a celebration of the birth.