Talwar Nrity Geet

Sword Dance-Songs of Garhwal-Kumaun and Other Countries  

                  गढवाली -कुमाउनी तलवार नृत्य गीत व अन्य देशों के तलवार नृत्य 

(Garhwali Folk Dance-Songs, Kumauni Folk Dance-Songs, Himalayan Folk Dance-Songs) 

                                                Bhishma Kukreti

              Sword dance was very common in every kingdom from the day sword and kingdoms came in existence. The sword dances were performed in the society and in the court to train and to keep the sprit high in the society. The kings used to put exhibitions for mock sword fight among the soldiers that they were trained and there is high spirit among the soldiers too. The music for dance had been there always.

          In Garhwal, the sword dance with song started by king and became popular among the society in the middle age. The Garhwali king used to keep a competition of sword dance among his soldiers and used to award the perfect sword performers the king used to put ‘Tilaks’ on the competitors. The King used to provide title for the bravest sword performer as ‘Mall’ winner The sword dance competition was performed in nine days of Navratri and final used to be on Vijaydashami

   Today, the people dance and sing sword dance for to keep the tradition alive. The dancers take swords and shields and then do mock fight by swords and shields. The mock attack by swords and defense by shield by dancers bring agile and enthusiasm among dancers and audience.  The following songs are examples of folk songs for sword dances in Garhwal and Kumaun regions of Uttarakhand India. The dancers are always expert in attacking and defending (mock up). The wordings and phrases along with relevant music create chivalry rapture for all. The atmosphere becomes agile. The subjects of songs are about the popular Garhwali legends, regional legends or the religious legends as Arjun or Pandavas etc  

             

१- डांडा सि शेर: गढवाल- कुमाऊं  का एक लोक तलवार नृत्य गीत 

 1-Danda si Sher : A Garhwali-Kumauni Folk sword dance song

भुला ! डांडा सि शेर छंवा  

कमल सि फूल छवां

बयाळी सि बाग़ छवां 

पर इतनी सि बात मा 

तुम क्या वै माल सणि 

सर नि करी सकदवां ?

Brother! You are lion of mountain  

You are flower as lotus

You are mad as tiger (Your sound is fearer than tiger)

But cant you win that enemy’s country?

२- झंकरू बीर भड़ : गढवाल- कुमाऊं  का एक लोक तलवार नृत्यगीत 

2-Jhankaru Beer Bhad : A Garhwali-Kumauni Folk sword dance song

झंकरू रे ! तू माई मरदान का चेला 

जोंकी मासी मॉस बंद चला कोट ल़ो बाणछन 

जौका हे लम्बीझार गंगा चली वाला 

स्योणियाँ  बाण छन 

लोहा गिरी  बाण 

शश्त्र वस्त्र  सौंकली  का जामा छन 

झंकरू ! ऐराड़ा माई मरदान का चेला

Jhankaru ! You are son of brave mother

You have arrows for months to come

Those arrows go longer as Ganga waves

The edges of those arrows are sharp as needle

You have iron shield to wear

O Jhankru! You fight the battle with bravery

Jhankaru! You are son of brave mother

Sources of both songs : Chakradhar Bahuguna, ‘Mochhang’

Reference: Dr Shiva Nand Nautiyal, Garhwal ke Lok Nrity Geet.

              Sword dances in other Regions

Sword Dance in Europe:

    Scottish sword Dance: The record shows that sword dance was popular in Scotland as early as in thirteenth century. Mostly three types of dances are common in Scottish sword dances – Gille Callum, Highland Fling and Dirk dances.

Morris Dance: Moris Sword dance was popular in England, Austria, Germany, France, Flanders, Italy , Spain.

There are Cotsword Morris, Northwest Morris, Border Morris, Longsword dancing, Rapper dancing and Molly dancing in Morris Sword dances

Izpatadantza: Izpatadantza dance was created in Durango region and became popular dance.

Okrabario : Okrabario is sword dance of Legazpi of Spain

Sword Dances in Russia: Nicolas Slonimsky provides full details of history of sword dances of recent years in the book ‘ Nicolas Slonimsky: Russian and Soviet Music Composers’

Sword Dance in China: Sword dance was initiated in china at the time of Tang dynasty. Gongsun was legendary sword dancer of that time.

Kenbu Song for Sword dance in Japan: Kenbu song is sung for sword dance in Japan.

Khattak Dance of Afghanistan: Khattak sword dance is very old sword dance of Afghanistan and border of north Pakistan.

Khukri Dance of Nepal: Khukri Dance of Nepal is popular sword dance of Nepal.

Moreska drama of Greek: Worldwide, Moreska drama and dance of Greek is famous for sword dance in the drama

El ard of Egypt: In old Egypt, the sword dance was called ‘el ard’.

   The songs and music in the sword dances of all regions have similarities that the songs are related to brave legends and purpose was to create chivalry among the soldiers and civil society. The idea was game and inspiration for sword dance and songs. The sword dances and music create a perfect violent battle images in the mind of audience.

   Even the need of sword dance is essential for making the society members aware about defense mechanism of their nations.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti 2011.