tribal dance
BIRLI DANCE, odisha
The Dharua is a tribe native mainly to Odisha. They worship various natural and Hindu deities. Their culture is primarily agrarian, and they celebrate a festival through which their dance tradition flourishes-Pus Punei.
A dance traditionally performed among the Dharua for courtship and harvest. Birli dancing is a central part of the Pus Punei festival that celebrates a bountiful harvest. The dancers use bamboo sticks in rhythm with the music, while the men play the dhol and flute.
The harvest festival of the Dharua tribe celebrated in the village level during December-January according to the lunar month of Pus. It is a festival to give thanks for the assistance given to agriculture by cattle, and the Birli dance is performed in the festivities.
The women of Dharua are adorned with traditional jewelry made of gold, silver, copper, and brass. Their ornaments include ear rings, nose rings, toe rings, bracelets, and beaded necklaces showing cultural pride and social status. The dresses of the Dharua are plain but most exquisite when viewed from a cultural perspective. Men wear the traditional handlooms dhotis. In colorful sarees and blouses, while decked up in anklets, bracelets, and nose rings also with necklaces made with metals like gold, brass, and silver adorn them.
The Birli dance is accompanied by traditional Dharua instruments such as the dhol, tidibidi, madal, tambourine, flute, and nisan. These instruments add rhythmic energy to the dance, creating a lively and celebratory atmosphere.