"Dhali also needs proper body movement and strength."
Dhali is one of the most popular folk dances of Bangladesh.
A war dance usually involves male performers, the routine has several themes.
Dancers who participate in Dhali exude style and charisma.
Have you ever thought about the origins and history of this influential folk dance?
Let us take you on a dance odyssey into the story of Dhali.
Origins
According to etymology, Dhali gets its name from the term ‘Dhal’, meaning ‘shield’.
The shield is a piece of warfare equipment, alluding to the bravery associated with the routine.
Dating back to the 16th century, the dance was traditionally performed by shield users who hailed from prominent potentates.
These included Pratapaditya and Sitaram who were from the district of Jessore.
The dance is typically performed by descendants of these potentates.
After winning a war in historic times, soldiers used to perform this dance using swords and shields to celebrate their victory.
This was also to motivate them for upcoming battles.
Using the energy from Dhali, these soldiers could extract a refreshed willpower after being exhausted from the previous war.
What does Dhali Involve?
An ode to bravery and strength, Dhali is a symbol of courage. Let’s find out what the routine entails.
Although Dhali mostly comprises male dancers, women can also take part in the routine.
The dance is inspired by martial arts and begins with two performers facing each other menacingly.
This is in sync with the beating drums and brass symbols that accompany the performance.
The dancers perform and showcase their martial arts in a portrayal of attacks and counterattacks.
This can be done in either a standing or a kneeling position.
Performances usually climax into a mock battle and it ends with a ‘winner’ being announced.
Dhali routines take place at folk fairs in Jessore and Khulna.
When the dance originated, participants primarily used swords and shields.
However, for safety reasons, these have been replaced with woven cane shields and bamboo sticks.
Dhali Outfits
Dhali involves a lot of bright and colourful outfits.
Men usually wear the dhoti while performing the routine.
This is usually made from stretchable fabrics like cotton as this does not restrict movement.
Women can wear different types of kameez, which enables them to move with the agility and freedom that the routine requires.
The dhotis can be of any colour, but they are usually bright colours that signify victory.
These include white, red, and yellow.
Clothing in this routine is finely designed and beautifully crafted.
They ensure that Dhali is an aesthetically pleasing visual as well as a dance of energy and enthusiasm.
Media Representations
Mock sword fights in films can be likened to Dhali.
For example, Rakesh Roshan’s Karan Arjun (1995) often depicts its protagonists pretending to have battles in the songs.
In ‘Yeh Bandhan Toh’, Karan Singh (Salman Khan) and Arjun Singh (Shah Rukh Khan) pretend to have a duel with sticks.
Meanwhile, in ‘Bhangda Paale‘, they do so with actual swords, while in dhotis.
They swing their feet and adapt to the shoulder movement that is commonly seen in such routines.
The song also intertwines this choreography with Bhangra, a hugely popular Punjabi dance form.
Dhali adds brashness and colour to the song, increasing the scale and gravitas of the film.
In 2022, Karan Johar revealed that at his 50th birthday party, Salman and SRK danced to ‘Bhangda Paale’:
“Salman and Shah Rukh were dancing to ‘Bhangda Paale’.
“There was a song for every movie star who hit the dance floor.”
This drove the attendees wild, showing the enjoyment and endurance of the number.
Contributors to Dhali
Gurusaday Dutt was born on May 10, 1882. He was an active social worker and a keen folklorist.
Inspired by his parents and teachers, Gurusaday was very interested in Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.
He discovered a martial dance known as Raibeshe in 1930.
Following this, he revived Dhali in undivided Bengal.
Pradip Kumar Pal is among 40 members of a dance troupe which was conceived in 2016.
The troupe is known as ‘Uljan’ which alludes to going against the current and defying norms.
Delving into his thoughts on Dhali and other folk routines, Pradip said:
“Though I was learning semi-classical dance forms and Rabindra nritya, I was also exposed to folk dance forms such as Chhau, Dhali, Adivasi
“I wanted to try and combine these in one dance drama.
“We introduced the Raibeshe-Dhali form. That was my first attempt with Raibeshe.”
“The village elders appreciated our effort. But then, travelling for shows was still a challenge.
“We had to take the parents of the girls along with us.”
The words of Pradip suggest the progression Dhali has helped achieve within Bangladeshi dance.
Impact of Dhali
In Rupkatha Journal (2013), Arpita Chatterjee wrote an article about the impact of Dhali and Indian folk dance.
She writes: “Folk dances have a good deal with therapeutic approaches.
“Every dance form has its own style and is related to health problems.
“The overall physical well-being and capacity of good health is the prime importance for all types of folk dances, though it is mainly related to mental enlistments.
“Dhali also needs proper body movement and strength.
“Any unfit posture in these or other dances can cause hazards to the dancers.
“Dhali gives good physical health, strength, power and mental support.
“With the popularity, it helps them to gain self-esteem, self-confidence and interest to learn the young dancers.
“Thus many parents of folk culture are interested in training their children to dance forms.
“It also indirectly or directly helps in their educational studies, too.
“As dance is mainly dealing with physical movements, it has an immense role in health science as well as from the therapeutic point of view.
“The exercise-like dance needs much confidence, body control, regular practice and proper movements
“Dance therapy can prevent a person from some health hazards and may also help to avoid unwanted problems.”
The thoughts of Arpita aptly describe the impact that Dhali can have on someone’s mind.
Across centuries, Dhali has thrived as an influential folk dance.
Performers love participating in the routine as it offers a chance to showcase strength and stamina.
With so many interesting and rich anecdotes embedded in its history, Dhali is a representation of skill and celebration.
The bright colours associated with the performances also add to its universal appeal.
So, next time you see someone performing a Dhali routine, be sure to stand up and join in too.