Deodhani dance is a Shaman folk dance from the Indian state of Assam. It can be performed either solo or in a group. Deodhani is of Bodo origin.[1] A group performance of Deodhani generally consists of three or four women. The dance form is associated with the worship of the snake goddess Marei/Maroi.[2] A Deodhani dance is generally performed to the accompaniment of songs sung by an Ojha, a Bodo traditional chorus leader in the Darrang district of Assam.[3]

History

Deodhoni Dance Ritual

Deodhani is derived from two words – Deo, which means God, and Dhani, which means woman, literally meaning a woman possessed (Shaman) by god. A male Shaman form is also present, called 'Jaki' in South Kamrup and 'Deodhai' elsewhere in Assam. Deodhani depicts the dance of a Shaman woman or man when he or she is possessed by a spiritual being. In Deodhani, the songs sung by Ojapali are known as Xuknoni in undivided Darrang district whereas in undivided Kamrup district it is accompanied by Kamrupi Bor-Dhol's.[4][5]

Specification

Dancers take a sword and shield and present a virile war dance during the performance.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ Arabinda Nath Sharma writes, “Deodhani and Deodhai” dance are connected with the culture of Bodo-kachari(the original inhabitants) of the state. Deodhai, the male oracle, and Deodhani, the female oracle, as priestly dances are essential at the time of various ethnic folk religious beliefs like Marai Puja, Kherai etc. shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/145313/11/11_chapter%203.pdf
  2. ↑ "A ritual dance, Deodhani dance, Assam, Travel, India Video". IndiaVideo. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  3. ↑ Oja-pali Archived 11 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine, WebIndia
  4. ↑ "Assam - Performing Arts". Nezcc.in. 8 September 2012. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  5. 1 2 "Beauty Of Assam". Info-assam.hpage.co.in. 28 November 2009. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  6. ↑ Sainik Samachar: The Pictorial Weekly of the Armed Forces. 1990. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2013.


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