Saila Dance

Introduction and History

Origin and Historical Background

The Saila dance of Gond people in Uttar Pradesh has been perpetuated as a very old dance-song form and has many thousands of years of history especially known to be practiced in the forest and plain regions of Varanasi, Sonbhadra and Mirzapur. This dance has been connected mainly with the agricultural process and it is the turning point of the monsoon and harvest time. It was conducted as a ceremonial way of telling the nature and the gods that they have been good because they brought fruitfulness and prosperity in their land.Traditionally the Gond people who believed strongly in animism called Saila fugue also because they believed strongly in nature and used it to propitiate, show evil spirits the way off and a symbol of various natural beats of life. The roundness of the circular movement is synonymous with the seasons and the ever present connection of man and the environment with a rhythmic beating of the lathi and the mandal drums. The presence of a masked dancer that goes around the group is deemed to shelter spiritually against outer dangers and ill-fortune.Historically the Saila dance was also held after the monsoons, when the fields have grown green and the harvest time was nearing. Gradually it became a necessity of these festivals like Makar Sankranti, Sarhul Puja and Shambhu Gaura Puja and even the special get-together of communities, as well as the visit of guests. The dance is still a symbol of cultural representation of the Gond tribe and they are the custodians of the great bounty and heritage in the form of traditions despite the invasion of modern culture.

Cultural Significance in the Gond Tribe

The Saila dance holds deep cultural significance within the Gond tribe of Uttar Pradesh, serving as a vibrant expression of their heritage, social unity, and spiritual beliefs.

Expression of Cultural Identity

Cultural identity of the Gond community is based on the Saila dance. The dance is done in the post-harvest period and significant festivals; it portrays the integration of the tribe and nature due to the agricultural affairs. The dance has traditional costume, music and dance styles which retain and propagate the rich Gonds culture.

Social Cohesion and Community Bonding

Being an ensemble one where 15 to 20 people participate in it, the Saila dance facilitates social integration and builds community ties. The synchronization of movements and the involvement of the masses are seen to symbolize unity and encouragement of each other and this enhances social systems and society among the people in the tribe.

Spiritual and Religious Significance

The Gond people and culture are also very spiritual and usually worship natural elements and god. Saila dance is the type of dance that is carried on several festivals and rituals, through which the ritualistic offerings are made to the gods and goddesses, and the blessings of good luck and protection are sought after. Such details of the dance as the use of peacock feathers and the design of circles you will find in the dance shows the respect of the tribe with respect to symbols of nature and celestial rhythms.

Characteristics of the Dance

Main Features

Saila Nritya is a well-known folk dance song of Gond community in the jungles and plains of Varanasi, Sonbhadra and Mirzapur districts of Uttar Pradesh. The dance is very old, and it has been practiced since thousands of years ago during some agricultural activities as well as during festivals and celebration of nature. It is an ensemble piece of 15-20 tribal males and females, who dress up in their conventional costume and are accented with ornaments. The special aspect of this dance is that, both the male and female dancers use sticks in rhythmic style, hitting it during dancing in unison. Stage decoration embraces peacock feathers on the back of the male dancers as well and that adds to the overall attraction of the show. All the dancers flow in the circular direction changing the place one to another symbolizing the cosmic and earth movements.The musical sound during the Mandar performance is enthralling with strikes of the sticks, and Mandar drum. The unique feature of the dance is the role of a masked performer that walks among the people and is supposed to guard them against the outer danger, which creates a symbolic and dramatic effect of the dance. This was mainly danced during the time of starting monsoon and also during times of Khichdi/Makar Sankranti and lasts for five days. Culturally, it is also played in special occasions like Shambhu Gaura Puja, Sarhul Puja and in receiving the guests hence plays an important role in the Gond tribal culture.

Common Steps and Their Description

• Gondic tribe has a formal but rhythmical movement of a dance called Saila and the dancers used to follow the rhythm of the mandar and beat of sticks. The nature, celebration and unity themes are shown in the common dances used in this dance.
• The circular step is one of the basic steps and in this type of dancing, the dancers involve themselves in walking as a delicate circle with each person moving to the right side or the left as they follow the rhythm. This is the heavenly cycle and connection between the man and nature. Stick Clashing Step is another noticeable movement in which the performers hold sticks both in hands and rhythmically hit them when moving back and forth, producing a very impressive visual and sound effect.
• Peacock Step is another unique type of movement in which the male dancers are adorned with the peacock feathers and the dancers are moving their bodies beautifully but their legs are raised in a fluid manner in this dance, which resembles the dance of the peacock. The Jumping Step contributes the dynamics to the whole performance, during which all dancers perform in accordance with the drum beat, representing happiness and festivity.
• Another distinctive feature of the dance is the Masked Step, in the course of which the masked dancer runs quickly around the team like protecting it, in a way that creates a theatrical contrast to the choreography strictness. Such movements and hand signs and body movements move depict the Saila dance as a joyful and animated ritual dance.

Rhythm and Taal

Understanding the Rhythm and Beat of the Dance

The cadence and the timbre of the Shell dance is crucially essential in ensuring the power and timing of the show. The dance moves with the consistent and pulsating rhythm, the main foundation of which is laid upon the mandar drum, offering the group of dancers a deep toned and resonating sound leading the moves of the dancers. The beats are complemented with hitting of sticks giving a percussive impression that makes the dance dynamic.A Shell dance is usually repeated in 4 or 8 beats and dancers sync their dance steps with the beating of drum sticks. The rhythm is slow in the performance but it is accelerated towards the end of the music to create excitement and intensity. Dancers differently act to such variations by making modifications of the foot movements and circular movements.The other element will be the call and response rhythm whereby one group of dancers start with movement or taal, which is then followed by a synchronized flow. The Saila dance can be described as a highly absorbing and vigorous performance completed with the twist of deep drum beats, rhythmic strikes with sticks as well as coordinated moves with the feet.

Costumes and Musical Instruments

Characteristics of Costumes and Their Cultural Significance

Saila dance is a traditional dance of Gond tribe mainly in the states of Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), especially in Varanasi, Sonbhadra and Mirzapur. The dance is usually performed during festivals, agricultural ceremonies and religious occasions. The costumes used in the dancing are not those of beauty but they are highly associated with culture, symbols and rituals. They embody the relationship of Gond people to the nature, their spiritual world and the general power of the performances.

Characteristics of Costumes

Men’s Costume

Dhoti and Kurta: The male dancers are also in bright colours like red, yellow, green and blue through dhoti (cloth wrapped around the waist) and loose kurta made up of cotton. The loose cloth can be freely moved as the dance requires lots of activity.

Angavastra or Waistband: Angavastra in some dancers (loose cloth wound round shoulders) is also worn and makes the dance more traditional. Festivity and prosperity can be symbolised by the use of bright fabrics.

Peacock feather decorations the unusual aspect of the male dancers is the peacock feather (mor pankh) they wear in their backs. This symbolizes:

• Consistency between human being and the nature because the peacock is a sacred bird in Gond culture.
• Strength and courage, because the dancers mimic the motions of the peacock in the process.
• Divine favors, since feathers of peacocks are usually linked with divine protection.

Anklets (ghunghroo): The unnatural element of the male dancers is the presence of peacock feather (mor pankh) which they have in their backs. This symbolizes:

• Similarity between the human being and the nature since, the peacock is a sacred bird to the Gond culture.
• Power and boldness, since the dancers imitate the movements of the peacock during the process.
• Divine favours, as peacock feathers are normally associated with divine protection.

Women's Costume

Colourful Sarees or Ghaghra: Both male and female dancers adorn bright female saris or ghagra (long skirts) usually embroidered in the tribal manner using mirrors. The colours on their costume are symbolic:

• Red signifies transport and commitment.
• green represents nature and fertility.
• Yellow is the symbol of joy and wealth.

Blouses and Dupatta: The women are wearing blouses which fit very well and flowing dupattas on the saris. During dancing, the dupatta can be freely moved since it is commonly thrown over the shoulder.

Jewellery and Jewellery: The traditional Gond jewellery mostly used by women in the form of beads, shells, silver and brass jewellery. Typical add-ons are:

• Necklaces: Metal or beaded necklaces that are layered and are associated with prosperity.
• Bangles (Choori): These are made in metal or wood and plenty of them are worn to bring rhythm during the dance.
• Anklets: They are used to make beautiful tinkling sounds which are attuned to that of the dance.
• Ear and nose rings: The magnificence and adornment of the dancers are highlighted by the presence of large earrings and nose rings which are usually suspended by a chain.

Special accessories and attributes

Face paint and body art: Some dancers apply natural colours and dyes in tribal patterns on their faces and bodies, signifying their connection with ancestors, nature or divine forces.

Use of masks:

• At the centre of the group, one dancer wears a mask, who plays the role of a guardian.
• This masked dancer moves around the group to ward off evil spirits and external threats.
• The mask often represents a mythological character, a deity or a protective spirit from Gond traditions.

Cultural significance of costumes

Reflection of tradition and identity

• Gond community has always kept their conventional clothing down the years and Saila dance costumes reflect their race.
• They embrace self-sufficiency and indigenous craft services by the use of hand-woven textiles, natural dyes, and tribal jewellery.

Connection to nature

• Peacock feathers, wooden accessories and natural fabrics present the Gond people so much respect towards nature.
• Their costumes are full of numerous motifs and embroidering that show trees, birds and animals and support their ideas in the holiness of the environment.

Enhance performance and rhythmic appeal

• The vivid colours and moving attires produce a very interesting visual scene, and thus the dancing is more attractive to the dancers as well as the spectators.
• The anklets, bangles and bead jewellery are items of jewellery that make the dance rhythmic and energetic thereby ensuring that the performance is energetic.

Symbolism in rituals and festivals

The costumes are closely associated with seasonal festivals such as:

• Monsoon festivals (Sawan): expressing gratitude for rain and fertility.
• Makar Sankranti and Khichdi Festival: welcoming the harvest season.
• Sarhul Puja: honoring forest deities.
• Shambhu Gauri Puja: a traditional Gond festival celebrating divine energy.

Wearing a mask and feathers of peacock during certain performances is linked with spiritual protection and acceptance of divine blessings.The traditional attires of the Saila dance of the Gond tribe are not ordinary attire, the attires are symbol of pride in card of culture, of nature, of faith. Made of bright dhotis and saris, crowned with peacock feathers and traditional jewellery, each part of the costume contributes to the beauty of visual perceptions of the dance and to the cultural layer of this dance. The attire does not only make the performance more majestic, but also keeps the rich culture of the Gond tribal community of Uttar Pradesh intact.

Pervasive Musical Instruments and their Identification

• Mandala - This is a conventional drum like tool which forms the essence of musical rhythm in Saila dance. it is frequently constructed out of wood, and finished with an animal skin upon both ends. The mandala is used by putting hand hits on it and creating low rumbles. These rhythms direct the movements of the dancers and make them pace up the music. The tempo of the mandala is crucial towards ensuring that coordination is observed amongst performers who are taking steps in vehicles in circles.
• Danda (wooden sticks) - The dancers are holding two wooden sticks in each of their hands and hitting them together rhythmically with them during the performance. The sticks are normally made out of hard wood to give them sharp and percussive sound that adds to the drum beats. The banging of the sticks together gives a hearing effect to the visual display of the dance. Beating of the sticks in their dances guards and repesents harmony and unity in the society.
• Ghungroos (ankle bells) - The ankles of the dancers are bound with small bells of metal. These bells produce constant tinkling sounds as the actors move and thus add to the music that is created by them. The ghungroos sound like a beat, and the rhythm patterns accentuate the steps of the dancers, and this aspect sets a sound level in the performance. The sound assists the dancers to synchronize their dance and also makes it festive.
• Flute -This is a wind instrument which can be employed in the Saila move in order to introduce a musical element to the dance. It ismade out of bamboo and produces smooth and lovely sounds unlike the thumping sound of mandala as well as the harsh crashing of the sticks. The flute music adds the sentimental and cultural value of the dance, which shows the relationship that Gond tribe had with nature and their shepherd life.
• Cymbals- These are small metal plates, which are clapped together to make a clear, ringing sound. It is utilized to emphasize some of the important parts of the dancing and to give more rhythm and also to enrich the music. Rhythms on cymbals are mixed with the sound of drums and sticks, making the experience of listening to it much more holistic and retaining the energy of the performance.

Conservation and Modern Impressions

Preservation of traditional styles and methods

• Oral transmission and community participation – Saila dance has been an oral history as people of old teach the younger generation the dance steps, beat and cultural value of saila dance. Festivals and celebrations within the community also play important role of keeping the dance alive.
• Participation in the cultural fairs – The dance is always performed in the harvest fairs, religious fairs and social events as they keep practicing the dance and therefore makes it matter in the Gond society. Such occasions like Sarhul Puja and Makar Sankranti give it an avenue through which it is traditionally expressed.
• Playing indigenous music instruments: The use of indigenous musical instruments such as the mandalas, flutes and the wooden sticks are also retained at the performances to uphold the originality of the acts. The making of these instruments has also been died down along the generations and those who have used it passed on the use of the instruments along with the cultural sound that they represent.
• Educational initiatives and workshops – Cultural institutions and community centres will regularly conduct workshops teaching the young generation about the meanings, procedures and music elements of the dance. This shows that there will be no loss of knowledge in the traditional field.
• Integration with modern media and documentation – As the digital media evolves, there are attempts to document and video the performances of Saila dance as well as documentaries and through the web. This assists to attract more people and to create excitement among the younger generation.
• Consistency of costumes and attire – Traditional attire, including the use of peacock feathers and handmade jewellery, remains an essential part of the dance. By encouraging the use of locally sourced materials and traditional weaving techniques, the authenticity of the dance is maintained.

By combining these methods, the Gond community and cultural organisations ensure that the Saila dance remains an integral part of their heritage while adopting contemporary influences.

Role and influence of media in education

• Inclusion in academic courses - Conventionally, all the dance forms such as Saila have been gaining grounds in the school and higher education institutes as cultural studies, performing arts programs and courses on heritage preservation. This assists the students in learning about the indigenous art forms with all their historical values.
• Workshops and training programmes - Various cultural institutions and tribal welfare organisations conduct workshops to teach the younger generation about the dance, its history and techniques. These programmes ensure skill transfer and generate interest in preserving the traditional forms.
• University research and documentation - Saila dance is a subject of study by scholars and researchers as an aspect of a ethnographic research and anthropology. Their discoveries are reported in scientific journals, books and cultural reports, that aided in its official recognition and preservation.
• Representation in television and film - In the TV programmes, documentaries, historical films and other cultural programs transactions, tribal dances are being presented. Such performances contribute to creating awareness and admiration of Saila dance to more people who are not necessarily part of the communities.
• Use of social media and online platforms – YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, are digital means being employed to perform Saila dances. Through these platforms, the dance reaches a worldwide audience and therefore maintains and promotes the dance to a new generation of users who use online contents.
• Cultural festivals and public performances – The dance is brought up to date by the cultural festivals which are government funded, folk dance competitions with the public performances etc. The artists are given the opportunity to perform their Saila dance, to attract the tourists and attention of different audiences during such events.
• Collaboration with contemporary artists- Day musicians and choreographers are working at incorporating the pieces of Saila dance into fusion styles, producing a mixture of ancient and modern styles. This variation assists in preserving the style of dance and making it more attractive to other generations.
• Archival efforts by museums and cultural organizations- Museums and cultural centers are archiving displays, costumes and instruments related to the Saila dance. This will help them to retain their original form and offer materials in the event they want to revive their works as well as carry out research on them.
• Through these educational and media-based programs are used to retain, promote and adapt the Saila dance to the next generations retaining its cultural value.

Conclusion

Shail Nritya, an ancient folk dance performed by the Gond tribe of the Uttar Pradesh state has a historical and cultural background. It developed more than several thousand years ago, being based on agricultural festivals, festivals and rituals in honor of nature. It has been a part of the Gond tribe of people and has been a medium of unity, celebration and respect to an environment. This dance enables one to see the preservation of ancestral traditions and at the same time, it demonstrates the spiritual beliefs of the tribe together with its connection to the land.It is this dance, which has some peculiarities and distinguishes this dance among other folk performances. It is a male-female dance that involves synchronized steps of men and women in which wooden sticks are used to produce musical dance beats. The audiences arrange in the circular shapes with all steps synchronized, that represents the harmony with the nature in it. Due to time various regions have incorporated their own variations still maintaining its original dance form.Beats and rhythm have been significant towards shaping the flow of the dance. The beats produced by the sticks and other instruments in the percussion section are also cast in certain rhythmical patterns that enhance the tone of the performance. The beats differ according to an occasion, and it could be when it is performed on festivals, religious functions, and social occasions. These rhythmic changes make the dance lively and spiritual fulfilling.A costume and musical instruments are the key aspects to the Saila dance. The cultural clothes also consist of colorful clothes, decorated with tribal patterns and ornaments, indicating the cultural heritage. Grace and beauty are represented by peacock feathers used by men during the performance and wooden sticks used in the performance give additional dynamics of music beat in the performance. Accompanying music is played by such instruments as mandal (traditional drum) and other folk percussion instruments, and this music determines the rhythm of dancers. However, modern influences have introduced contemporary dressing and electronic elements of sound which have been incorporated to bring a touch in stage performances and dances.This is important in preserving the authenticity of Saila dance through the efforts to save it. There are various projects which are aimed at educating the young generations to the dance thus continuing the dance. This art form is also recorded and popularised by the educational institutions and cultural organisations by holding workshops and performances and through online platforms. This has been made possible through the influence of media, which has made the tribal form of dances to enter mainstream cultural discussion.Contemporary versions have brought new innovations but on the preservation of the original nature of the dance. It increased its market value through fusion with modern kinds of dances, inclusion of the performance and involvement in international cultural programs. Although with modernisation things have changed, at its bottom line, Saila Nritya is still strongly embedded in the traditional aspects of it.When it comes to the comprehension of Saila Nritya as a dance style, its history, rhythms, use of costumes and musical instruments, preservation and development it easily turns to be not only the dance and performing style, but rather the tradition, which still develops and stays relevant, with its rich cultural legacy.This section dwelt on continuation of ancient styles and techniques, so the theme here was that one should not forget what is original and one should mingle with the times. It also emphasized on the contribution of education and media in advancing and maintaining cultural expressions. It as well embraced the idea of how modern touch is being added to the dance, resulting in the amalgamation of modernity and eloquence.