Chedi
dance is a joyful dance traditionally performed at Teej festival
time in Kishangarh, Rajasthan. For Arti puja, women put flaming
‘chedi pots’ on their heads and spin around each other
to the hypnotic Chedi rhythm. Today we see Chedi dance done by
professional dance troupes at festivals and tourist venues. The
movements are much the same as other Rajasthani styles and include
small hip movements, hand gestures and many spins. The dancer
exhibits her skills through balancing a flaming pot on her head
as she weaves back and forth through the other dancers and spins.
Women in rural Rajasthan pride themselves on their ability to
carry 2 or even 3 brass water pots on their heads as they walk
for long distances back from the well to their desert homes. The
full water pots can weigh up to 60 pounds. Traditional dances
often include examples of everyday chores and balancing pots is
a common theme for woman’s dances.
Colleena
has been dancing in Rajasthan and performing for audiences for
some time now. She is noted as one of the first westerners to
develop an authentic style that is pleasing to both Rajasthani
and western audiences a like. Undoubtedly this is due to her
extensive and ongoing research on the subject and of course
her wonderful teacher Kusum. The past few years of her research
has unfolded many mysteries to the ‘true’ history
of the various Rajasthani styles, quite different from how we
may now see it perfromed today on Indian television or movies.
Colleena is currently working to complete shooting a film documentary
on Rajasthani folk dance as well as a publishing articles on
related subjects.
To
arrange a workshop or private lesson in your area, please contact
Colleena at
colleenashakti@yahoo.com
To
purchase Colleena’s photography or authentic Rajasthani
costuming please go to
SHAKTI IMPORTS
