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{{Use Indian English|date = August 2019}}
{{Culture of Bengal}}
'''Alkap''' ({{lang-bn|আলকাপ}}) is a [[Bengali language|Bengali]] folk dance popular in the districts of [[Murshidabad district|Murshidabad]], [[Malda district|Malda]] and [[Birbhum district|Birbhum]] in [[West Bengal]] and [[Chapai Nawabganj District|Chapai Nawabganj]], [[Rajshahi Division|Randajshahi]] in [[Bangladesh]].<ref name=Banglapedia>{{cite web | url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Alkap_Gan| title = Alkap Gan | access-date = 2009-03-22 | last = Ahmed| first = Wakil | work =Banglapedia  | publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh }}</ref> It has also spread to the adjoining areas of [[Jharkhand]] and [[Bihar]] such as [[Dumka district|Dumka]] and [[Purnia district|Purnia]].<ref name=Telegraph>{{cite web | url =http://www.telegraphindia.com/1030718/asp/calcutta/story_2173034.asp
 | title = Sudkhor | access-date = 2009-03-22 | publisher = The Telegraph, 18 July 2003 }}</ref>

==Etymology==
Kaap means 'kavya' (verse) and Aal means 'part of the verse'.<ref name=Telegraph/> Another meaning of the word Aal is 'sharp'. The word Kaap is also one of the many meanings of 'sam' - a distorted form of gesture in the arena, or an image of a humorous comedian or social ugly subject.<ref name=Ghosh>Ghosh, Binoy, ''Paschim Banger Sanskriti'', (in Bengali), Volume III, First Edition, Prakash Bhawan, Page 69.</ref>

==Form==
Alkap is an amalgamation of music, dance and theatrical presentation. An alkap group of ten to twelve performers is led by a ''sarkar'' (master) or ''guru'' (leader) and includes two or three young men called ''chhokras''{{typo help inline|reason=similar to chokras|date=May 2020}}, one or two ''gayens'' or singers, ''dohar'', choristers, and musicians. Alkap is presented in five parts: ''Asar Vandana'', ''Chhora'', ''Kaap'', ''Baithaki Gaan'' and ''Khemta Pala''. The programme is a reflection of rural society and puts the focus on the prevailing socio-economic condition of the rural masses.<ref name=Banglapedia/><ref name=Telegraph/>

==In popular culture==
[[Syed Mustafa Siraj]]'s novel ''Mayamrdanga'' is about an Alkap team.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Dance in India}}
{{Culture of West Bengal}}
{{Bengali Hindu people}}

[[Category:Bengali culture]]
[[Category:Culture of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi culture]]