Karnavati Mahanagar in Ahmedabad came alive with the colours of Holi as traditional Ghoomar and Gair performances won over the audience.
Folk dances full of energy
These high-energy folk dances brought a Rajasthani colour to the Holi celebrations.
A deep attachment to culture
The event reflects the community’s lasting attachment to its cultural traditions at the festival of colours.
Ghoomar — the face of Rajasthan
Ghoomar is Rajasthan’s best-known folk dance, performed mainly by women in ghagras who move in a circle. The name itself comes from ghoomna, to spin. It began with the Bhil community and later became a cultural emblem of the whole of Rajasthan.
How Gair differs from Ghoomar
Where Ghoomar is largely a women’s dance, Gair is performed by men with sticks. Staging both at Holi events has now become routine, and it lets the whole family take part.
Training in folk dance
A number of cultural organisations in Ahmedabad train children and young people in Ghoomar and Gair. These practice sessions before the festivals have become a practical way of connecting the new generation to its folk traditions.
