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INDIAN DIASPORA TRADITION
Ramman is a cultural event that reflects the environmental, spiritual and cultural concept of the community. It is about celebrating and recounting the founding myths of the ramman and strengthening sense of self-worth.
6. Chhau
Traditionally Chhau is from eastern India. It is popularly known for its enactments of episodes from epics including the Mahabharata and Ramayana and local folklore. Its three distinct styles hail from the regions of Seraikella, Purulia and Mayurbhanj. The Seraikella and Purulia chhau are the ones which uses mask.
Chhau dance is intimately connected to regional festivals, notably the spring festival Chaitra Parva. Its origin is traceable to indigenous forms of dance and martial practices. Its vocabulary of movement includes mock combat techniques, stylized gaits of birds and animals and movements modelled on the chores of village housewives. Chhau is taught to male dancers only from the families of traditional artists. But off late it is also taught to local communities.
7. Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan
Once only professional snake handlers, Kalbelia are today evoking their former occupation in music and dance that is evolving in new and creative ways. Men accompany women on the khanjari percussion instrument and the pungi, The dancers wear traditional tattoo designs, jewellery and garments richly embroidered with small mirrors and silver thread
Kalbelia songs disseminate mythological knowledge through stories, while special traditional dances are performed during Holi, the festival of colours. The songs usually demonstrate the poetic acumen of the Kalbelia people, who are reputedly known to compose the lyrics spontaneously and also improvise their songs during the performances.
8. Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala
Ritual dance drama from Kerala based on the mythological tale of a battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika. Mudiyettu performers purify themselves through fasting and prayer, then draw a huge image of goddess
Kali, called as kalam, on the temple floor with coloured powders, wherein the spirit of the goddess is invoked. Mudiyettu is performed annually in‘ Bhagavati Kavus’, the temples of the goddess, in different villages along the rivers Chalakudy Puzha, Periyar and Muvattupuzha. Mutual cooperation and collective participation of each caste in the ritual instils and strengthens common identity and mutual bonding in the community.
9. Buddhist chanting of Ladakh
In the monasteries and villages of the Ladakh region Buddhist lamas chant sacred texts representing the spirit, philosophy and teachings of the Buddha This chanting is
Yoga
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