tribal dance
Kambad Dance, maharashtra
The Thakar are a Scheduled Tribe in the state of Maharashtra. Thakri, the dialect of Marathi, is what the Community speaks. Agriculturalists, present day, rice is what the Thakar primarily cultivate. Forest gathering and hunting wild animals were also their activities in the past. Living amidst the Sahyadri Mountains, the Thakar get fuel, wild tubers and medicinal plants from surrounding forests. Their villages are dispersed on the hill slops in Ahmednagar, Nasik, Pune and Thane districts.
The Thakars have a rich tradition of songs sung in praise of their gods; music and dances during wedding ceremonies, births and other festivities. Kambad is traditionally a recreational dance; an antidote to the day's toil in the fields. It occurs at leisure and at all festivals. These movements of dance imitate farm activities. Kambad dance is an interesting manifestation of rhythm, agility and excitement. Kambad music has a tradition, which is transferred from generation to generation. Thakar society wishes that the tradition would exist for generations yet to come.
Paddy is the cash crop and Thakars have to wait for monsoon. Sowing takes place with the first rains and seedlings following the second week of June. at this moment, Thakar people celebrate 'Saath'. It is a festival at the village level, where worship is done to thank the goddess of the village, " Aai Pandhari " and other gods like Vaghoba, Mhasoba, Vetal, Maruti and Dongar-Kalsubai. Prayers are offered to these gods and from this moment Thakar men engage in the Kambad dance on every village festival. Presently, Kambad dance is regarded as a way of safeguarding the tradition and culture of the community. Young and elderly people come together, sharing joy and grief, engaging in this dance as their forefathers did. Traditional Attire, Men dhoti & body vest. Half turban tied on their head.
The Dhol, double teak drum of goat skin is the major musical accompaniment. The drum and lyrics of the Kambad song form the essence of the dance and the drum is regarded by the society as a god. They move as one, executing acrobats to the music beat. They are motivated by singers, lyrics and voices are associated with the rhythm of drums and the ghugaroos attached to every dancer's foot.
