The intriguing dance form is known for its unique and creative costumes. The dance form is performed by men on dummy horses by the men wearing beautiful traditional costumes with embellishments and mirror work.
The dancers ride on the dummy horses and move to the beats of drums, fifes and another instrument called Bankiya and Thali while the singer narrates folk tales about local bandits.
The dummy horses used as a prop are equally decorated with beautiful embroidery and mirrored work. The dancers ride with a sword in their hands.
The art form is prevalent in the Kamdholi, Sarghara, Bhambi, and Bhavi tribe communities.
The Kachchhi Ghodi dance form originated in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan.
The dance portrays the confrontation of the Bandits of the Bavaria Clan of tribes with the passing commoners.
Origin of Kachchhi Ghodi
It was inspired by the tales of Bhanwariya bandits of Shekhawati region who performed the role of Robin Hood where they would rob rich merchants only to distribute the loot among the poor.
An alternate theory reveals that the inspiration was drawn from the tale of folk deity Baba Ramdevji of Runicha Nagri, Jaisalmer.
According to this theory, Baba Ramdev Ji was fond of toy horses, which led to a miracle and in conclusion, this dance form was formed.
The reason for the dummy horse was to symbolise the royal strength that was evident with the loyal and royal vehicle of Rana Pratap Singh, Chetal.
Horses being the symbol of royal power were used by bandits on highways to stop people travelling on elephants or bullock carts easily.
Present Scenario
The Shekhawati dance is performed usually for the entertainment of the bridegroom’s party.
The performers play the part of the brave yet benevolent bandits of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan known as Bavaria.
The songs in the Kachchhi Ghodi are generally about the overt businessmen and traders of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan.
Significance
The dance is performed on dummy horses with naked swords in their hands while the singer narrates the exploits of Bavaria bandits.
The dance uses mock fights and brandishing of swords, nimble sidestepping, and pirouetting to the music and drums of the fife.
A ballet singer usually sings exploits of bandit Robin hoods of Rajasthan.
The dance form is reflective of the socio-historical scenario particularly depicting the time or race of their time.
When performed as a group dance, people stand on opposite sides with swords in their hands and run back and forth quickly, when viewed from above, resembles the opening and closing of flowers.
Costume of Kachchhi Ghodi
Kachchhi Ghodi is the imitation of a horse costume worn around the waist.
Men wear elaborative costumes embroidered with amazing mirror work.
They wear novelty horse outfits and represent themselves as the warriors of ancient times.
The men are dressed in a kurta and a turban. The prop is a dummy horse supported by a bamboo frame.
It is covered with bright-coloured fabric designed with mirror-work embroidery known as ‘Shisha’.
The fabric is draped around the performer’s waist covering the entire length of legs.
Around the ankles, the dancer wears musical bells known as ‘Ghungroo’.
Kachchhi Ghodi dance(कच्छी घोड़ी नृत्य)
Kachchhi Ghodi dance also spelled Kachhi Ghodi and Kachhi Gori is an Indian folk dance that originated in the Rajasthan.
According to Wiki,” Dancers wear novelty horse costumes, and participate in mock fights, while a singer narrates folk tales about local.
It is commonly performed during wedding ceremonies to welcome and entertain the bridegroom’s party and in other social settings. Performing the dance is also a profession for some individuals”:)
कच्छी घोड़ी नृत्य
कच्छी घोड़ी नृत्य ने कच्छी घोड़ी और कची गोरी भी लिखा है जो राजस्थान में पैदा हुआ एक भारतीय लोक नृत्य है।
विकी के मुताबिक, “नर्तकियों ने नवीनता घोड़े के परिधान पहनते हैं, और नकली झगड़े में भाग लेते हैं, जबकि एक गायक स्थानीय लोगों के बारे में लोक कथाओं का वर्णन करता है।
यह आम तौर पर दुल्हन की पार्टी के दौरान और अन्य सामाजिक सेटिंग्स में स्वागत और मनोरंजन के लिए शादी समारोहों के दौरान किया जाता है। नृत्य करना कुछ व्यक्तियों के लिए भी एक पेशा है “
कच्छी घोड़ी नृत्य : यह राजस्थान के शेखावाटी क्षेत्र तथा कुचामन, परबतसर, डीडवाना आदि क्षेत्रों में विवाहादि अवसरों पर व्यावसायिक मनोरंजन के रूप में किया जाने वाला अत्यंत लोकप्रिय वीर नृत्य है। इसमें वाद्यों में ढोल, झांझ, बाकियाँ व थाली बजती है। सरगड़े, कुम्हार, ढोली व भांभी जातियाँ इस नृत्य में प्रवीण हैं। यह नृत्य कमल के फूल की पैटर्न बनाने की कला के लिए प्रसिद्ध है। चार-चार व्यक्तियों की आमने-सामने खड़ी पंक्तियां पीछे हटने, आगे बढ़ने की क्रियाएं द्रुतगति से करती हुई इस प्रकार मिल जाती हैं कि आठों व्यक्ति एक ही लाइन में आ जाते हैं। इस पंक्ति का बार-बार बनना व बिगड़ना ठीक उस कली के फूल की तरह होता है जो पंखुड़ियां के रूप में खुलती हैं। इसमें लसकरिया, बींद, रसाला तथा रंगमारिया गीत गाए जाते हैं। कच्छी घोड़ी में नकली घोड़ों का प्रयोग किया जाता है। यह पेशेवर जातियों द्वारा मांगलिक अवसरों पर अपनी कमर पर बास की घोड़ी को बांधकर किया जाने वाला नृत्य है। आज इसने व्यावसायिक रूप धारण कर लिया है।
It is believed that the Kachhi Ghodi dance is originated from the bandit regions of Shekhawati. Generally, the dance is performed for the entertainment of the bridegroom`s party. Dancers are ready with elaborate costumes that resemble them as if they are riding on a dummy horse. It is a vigorous type of dance. It also uses mock fights and the brandishing of swords, nimble sidestepping and pirouetting to the music of drums. During the performance, a ballad singer sings & exploits of the bandit Robin Hoods of Rajasthan. Men in elaborate costumes ride the equally well-decorated dummy horses. However, they hold naked swords in their hands and move rhythmically on the beating of drums and fifes.