Raibeshe Dance Form Of Bengal

Raibeshe Dance Form Of Bengal is a type of dance which shows the martial arts as a dance. Rai means royal, kingly and bansh or bansha means bamboo. This dance is exclusively performed by men who belong to the Bauris, Domes and other depressed castes of the Hindu community. Dance is a popular pastime and integral part of these communities and this dance reflects their way of life very closely.  

Traditionally, this dance involves vigorous and manly movements of the body along with the acrobatics of a Raibansh. During the performance, the performers enact the actions of drawing a bow, throwing a spear and waving a sword. This dance is accompanied by Bangla Dhol (drums) and Kanshis (cymbals). In 1930, Guru Saday Dutta discovered the Raibeshe folk dance, a martial dance of undivided Bengal, in Birbhum in India. He studied the origins of the dance and discovered its rich cultural past and its connection with the army of Raja Man Singh of Rajasthan.