Deodhani dance

Deodhani dance is a Shaman folk dance from the Indian state of Assam. It can be performed either solo or in a group. Deodhani may have 2 origins. Firstly, the Austro-Dravidian Kaibarta-Jalkeot 'Deodha-Joki' dance origin of Undivided Kamrup region alongwith the Tibeto-Burman Bodo origin of 'Doudini Mwsanai'.[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 traditional chorus leader in the Darrang district of Assam but is traditionally performed and accompanied by the 'BorDhul ie. The traditional Logdrum of the Kaibarta-Jalkeot people of Kamrup region.[3]

  1. ^ Some authors state that the 'Deodha-Joki' dance is the original form of the Deodhani dance of Kamrup region originally performed by the Kaibarta-Jalkeot community of Kamrup region during Marei Puja whereas Arabinda Nath Sharma writes, “Deodhani and Deodhai” dance are connected with the culture of Bodo-Kachari 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 Kherai Puja 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