Varsha PandeyThe Performance of the Saila dance folk dance of Chhattisgarh in India is after the harvest season is over.
Chhattisgarh is home to many tribal communities and some of the oldest tribal communities in India.
Color and music with an eclectic spiritual touch make the tribal dances of Chhattisgarh one of a kind.
The ancient traditions and heritage of the place are through these dances.
Almost all the festivals of India are related to the seasons and the production of crops.
Songs, music, and dance are the means of happiness for the farmers after the harvest.
In folk traditions, we can live and feel the true nature of our festivals.
Whatever the festival, songs, and music will definitely be a part of it.
And this is mostly seen in tribal areas.
Where there may be a lack of material resources, but they find the real happiness of life in their traditions.
They keep their energy and enthusiasm alive through dance, music, and colorful costumes.
Most of them have not read books, but the real essence of life is explained to people through lifestyle.
People of the Gond tribe in Chhattisgarh are fond of dance and music and this dance is an essential part of regional life.
Most of the festivals in rural areas are related to crops.
There is no better medium than song and music to thank God after harvesting them.
Saila dance folk dance of Chhattisgarh
Saila dance is one of such performance arts of Chhattisgarh which is really admired for its unique way of presentation and performance.
It is purely a tribal dance.
This dance is a symbol of mutual love and brotherhood.
The meaning of ‘Saila’ is ‘Shell’ or ‘Danda’.
It was named ‘Shaila’ (Saila) because of the people living on the rocky peaks.
This dance starts in Dussehra and continues till the entire autumn night.
This dance is organized to worship our Adidev.
The dance is organized on moonlit nights.
Saila dance is also known as ‘Danda Naach’.
This dance is basically performed by men.
Danda or Saila dance culminates in the snake dance.
Mandar is the main instrument of this dance.
So, dance has an important role in connecting the villages culturally.
The old name of this dance is ‘Saila-Reena’.
Saila dance performance
The dance is usually performed by young boys from the plains of Chhattisgarh visiting each and every household in the nearby village.
This dance is basically in the month of Agahan.
This dance is most popular among the people of Sarguja and Chhindwara of Betul district.
The dance is with the help of sticks.
This dance is famous in many other districts of Chhattisgarh and is on different themes with different identities.
However, Saila tribal dance is performed in many variations.
Basically, with sticks being struck next to one in the hands of the other dancer.
The dancers move in sync with the beat of the ‘mandar’ which beats the performers.
They try to match their steps with the tempo of the beat and thus enjoy the pace and the atmosphere to the fullest.
The dancers form a circle while dancing and the way they coordinate with other dancers is a sight to see.
The atmosphere displayed during the Saila tribal dance is completely blissful and mesmerizes the onlookers of this art form from Chhattisgarh.
At the end of the dance, the dancers are given paddy by the villagers and they enjoy eating and drinking together.
hard-earned happiness
Saila is a tribal dance of the Gond tribe of Chhattisgarh, performed after the harvest.
When the grain comes into the house and the colors of hard work start spreading through the fields in the courtyards of the house, there is an atmosphere of joy and happiness all around.
In such a situation, a song automatically emerges from the mouth…Yeh Zindagi Rahela Chaar Din…. Means life is short, so why not spend it laughing?
Red-yellow kurtas-saris, black jackets, and dhotis of the artists make a pleasant picture.
On the sounds emanating from the instruments of Dhol, Timki, and Gudumba, the feet danced in ecstasy as if all the happiness of the world had been found.
Women also take part in the dance.
The dancers have sticks in their hands, which they play and dance with a fellow artist.
At the end of the dance, grain is given and everyone eats it together and prays to God for the next crop.
group dinner
On the occasion of Holi, the atmosphere of fun is different.
The month of Falgun had not started when groups started singing Faag songs from house to house.
The beat of the drum and the sound of the lyrics are the pride of the entire troupe.
People give money, rice, and eatables to the toli.
The grains and goods that are collected throughout the week are used for the collective feast of the village on Holi.
No enmity, no enmity, just the enthusiasm of colors.
little fun during the Saila dance
Festivals are not only an essential part of our tradition but also an art of living.
After hard work, the mind needs rest as well as entertainment.
that too which fills it with enthusiasm and enthusiasm for the next work.
So, All the glimpses of regional life emphasize the need to feel happy by adopting simplicity and simplicity in the midst of life’s difficulties.
