Themes
tribal dance
Gaur Madia, chhattisgarh
This is a dynamic and ritual dance that is performed by the Sing Marias or Tallaguda Marias on the bastars of Chhattisgarh at Abhujmar plateau. Being named as 'Gaur', which means the bison, this dance is full of vigorous animal-like movements. The dance is held in both jubilant celebration and sacred symbolism. Generally, it is performed during marriages and shows a perfect synchronized dance in the depth of the culture of the tribes and joy accumulated together.
Like their fellow Tallaguda Marias, this tribal community lives in the Bastar area of Chhattisgarh. They have a tradition for their dances very different from all other tribal people, living a life very close to nature. The Gaur Madia Dance, which depicts youth and may be interpreted in a literal sense as joy, is a part and parcel of their identity and would be brought to light in their cultural heritage value during special occasions such as marriage.
For the Gaur Madia dance, the women form an inner circle where they make rhythmic movements by striking the sticks to the ground and stamping their feet and going down with themselves while taking their movement round. While the men create an outer circle and drum intently as they mostly circle around, their steps change rapidly in sync with the quick-paced tunes. This dual-circle formation adds an enhanced visual and audible appeal to the dance.
The men wear headdresses decorated with stringed cowries and peacock feather plumes, adding to the regal and festive appearance of the dance. The women, with tattooed bodies, wear brass fillets and bead necklaces, contributing to the vibrant and authentic look that complements the dance’s lively energy and ritual significance.
Drumming plays a central role in the Gaur Madia dance, providing a powerful and driving rhythm that sets the tempo. The loud and fast-paced drumming underscores the energetic dance movements, enhancing the overall intensity and creating an immersive experience for both performers and spectators.