Music & dance are an integral part of every festival and occasion, taking place in Arunachal Pradesh. Every festival is celebrated with much fun & fair, which also includes music and dance. The music and dance of Arunachal Pradesh are generally performed in groups, in which both men & women participate.
The Music & Dance of Arunachal Pardesh
The Dance of Arunachal Pradesh
Dance forms an important aspect of the socio-cultural heritage of the people of Arunachal Pradesh. The people of Arunachal dance on important rituals, during festivals and also for recreation. The dances of the people of Arunachal are group dances, in which both men and women participate.
There are some dances such as igo dance of the Mishmi priests, war dance of the Adis, Noctes and Wanchos, ritualistic dance of the Buddhist tribes, which are specifically male dances. Females are not allowed to take part in these dances.
Some of the popular folk dances of the people of Arunachal Pradesh are Aji Lamu (Monpa), Roppi (Nishing), Buiya (Nishing), Hurkani (Apatani), Popir (Adi), Pasi Kongki (Adi), Chalo (Nocte), Ponung (Adi), Rekham Pada (Nishing), Lion and Peacock dance (Monpa) and so on. Most dances are performed to the accompaniment of songs sung generally in chorus. Musical instruments like drums and Cymbals are played along with the songs sung for the dances.
Music of Arunachal Pradesh
The themes of songs sung are like fables involving creatures or the animal and words signifying moral deduction. The folksong of Pailibos are related more to their folk history, mythology and description of their known historic past.
Following are the chief folk songs of Arunachal, sung on different festivals and occasion :
Ja-Jin-Ja : On occasion of feasts and merriment, during marriages or other social meets, this song is sung. Both men and women sing it in chorus or individually. But once the song starts, all those who are present join them in singing.
Baryi : It is a song which narrate their history, their religious lore and mythology. Its whole cycle takes hours to complete. It is also a feature of festivals or of occasion of important social or religious gatherings.
Both Ja-Jin-Ja and Baryi produce a nostalgic feeling in Pailibos, as the glories of the past ancestors are narrated through them.
Nyioga: It is sung when a marriage ceremony is concluded and the bridal party returns leaving the bride in her home. The theme is that of the joy. It contains pieces of advice to the bride for her future life.
