Deodhani dance (Assamese: দেওধনী নৃত্য) is a folk dance from the Indian state of Assam. It is as a solo or group performance. In the group performance, it essentially comprises 3 or 4 women. This dance form is associated with the worship of the snake goddess Manasa or Maroi. A Deodhani dance is generally performed to the accompaniment of songs sung by an oja, an Assamese traditional chorus leader, during the dance.
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History
Deodhani is derived from two words, i.e. Deo means God and Dhani means woman. The term `Deodhani` depicts the dance of a woman when she is possessed by an evil spirit. In Deodhani the songs sung by Ojapali are known as Shuknamni. Legends say that Behulaa (a character in Padma Purana) had to dance before the goddess Manasa to get back her husband’s (Lakhindar) life.
Specification
A dancer is an unmarried woman and devotee of goddess Padma. The dancers keeps her hair loose and dresses like a female warrior. She dances to the accompaniment of big drums known as joidhol and cymbals with various hand gestures and intricate footwork. The dancer wear a Mekhela made of muga silk, red blouse, different traditional jewellery and leaves her hair open. They take a sword and shield and display a virile war dance during the performance.