Ajay Kumar at 17:31, 29 August 2023

2023-08-29T17:31:37Z

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{{Short description|Folk dance of Jharkhand and Odisha}}
{{Single source|date=May 2023}}

[[File:Firkal slowly decaying martial dance of ChotaNagpur of Jharkhand performed at Central Park Delhi IMG 0934 11.jpg|thumb|Firkal dance of Chotanagpur performed at Central Park, Delhi]]

'''Firkal''' is a martial art folk-dance of [[Bhumij people|Bhumij]] tribe. The main instruments of Firkal are swords, arrows, bows and shields. It can be found in ''[[Potka block]]'' of [[Jharkhand]] and some parts of [[Odisha]], [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The last frontier of Firkal martial art of Chotanagpur area – Jharkhand {{!}} Tribal Cultural Heritage in India Foundation |url=https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=5383#gsc.tab=0 |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=indiantribalheritage.org}}</ref>

Older than [[Kalaripayattu]], and even those martial art forms that trace its origins to [[China]] and [[Japan]], Firkal is still very much a living martial art-based dance form, performed mainly by the [[Bhumij people|Bhumij tribes]] of [[Chota Nagpur Division|Chotanagpur]] area in [[Jharkhand]].

At first sight, Firkal appears to be like any other warrior dance performed by [[African tribes]]. The dance recitals were originally enactments of hunting scenes and self-defence, the focus being mainly of raw macho courage. Over time, however, the evolving lifestyle of the Bhumjis has led to the modification of dance movements. Over time, the dance movements have changed into a leisurely, recreational exercise rather than a ritualistic demonstration of courage. These dance steps are variously known as ''Bagh Taal'' , ''Birsa Munda Taal,'' ''Pahalbani Taal, etc.'' denotes the courageous struggle experienced by the [[Bhumij people|Bhumij]] community. The younger generation, however, seem to be unfamiliar with these dance steps.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The last frontier of Firkal martial art of Chotanagpur area – Jharkhand {{!}} Tribal Cultural Heritage in India Foundation |url=https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=5383#gsc.tab=0 |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=indiantribalheritage.org}}</ref>

Firkal is still alive thanks a great deal to the efforts of Kalamandir—The Celluloid Chapter Art Foundation (TCCAF), a [[Jamshedpur]]-based NGO. For many years now, the organisation has been tirelessly working for the revival and promotion of Firkal. Today, Firkal survives in just one obscure village, Janumdih, of [[Potka block]] in [[East Singhbhum district]] of [[Jharkhand]]. A group of about 25 Bhumij tribal families here still hang on to the traditions of the discipline. Experts say Firkal is, in fact, a variation of ''Kirpan Susun'' (Kirpan means sword and susun dance), a traditional dance form among the Bhumij tribes of Chhotanagpur. The dance portrayals are mostly enactments of hunting scenes and self-defence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sunday Tribune - Books |url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111120/spectrum/main5.htm |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=m.tribuneindia.com}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Folk dances of Jharkhand]]
* [[List of folk dances of Odisha]]
* [[Bhumij people|Bhumij]]
* [[Potka block]]

== External links ==
{{Citation |date=24 August 2015|title=FIRKAL DANCE । NATIONAL TRIBAL FESTIVAL VANAJ 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPsk2a3HgZs |access-date=25 May 2022 |publisher=Desi Cinema Classical, Ministry of tribal affairs, Govt of India|type=Video}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Dances of India]]
[[Category:Indian folk dances]]
[[Category:Folk dances of Jharkhand]]
[[Category:Culture of Jharkhand]]
[[Category:Bhumij]]

Firkal dance - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 17:31, 29 August 2023