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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]

History

Deodhoni Dance Ritual

Deodhani is derived from two words – Deo, which means God, and Dhani, which means woman, literally meaning a woman possessed (Shaman) by god. A male Shaman form is also present, called 'Deodha-Joki' in Kamrup by the Kaibarta-Jalkeot people and 'Deodhai' elsewhere in Assam. Deodhani depicts the dance of a Shaman woman or man when he or she is possessed by a spiritual being. In Deodhani, the songs sung by Ojapali are known as Xuknoni in undivided Darrang district and is quite distinct from the aboriginal 'Deodha-Joki' origin & ritualistic oracle cum Shamanistic dance form of the Kaibarta-Jalkeot community in Undivided Kamrup district it is accompanied by Bor-Dhol's.[4][5]

Specification

Dancers take a sword and shield and present a virile war dance during the performance.[5][6]

References

  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
  4. ^ "Assam - Performing Arts". Nezcc.in. 8 September 2012. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Beauty Of Assam". Info-assam.hpage.co.in. 28 November 2009. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  6. ^ Sainik Samachar: The Pictorial Weekly of the Armed Forces. 1990. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2013.


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