https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Kachchhi_Ghodi_danceKachchhi Ghodi dance - Revision history2026-07-31T17:33:17ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Kachchhi_Ghodi_dance&diff=122437&oldid=prev>Sumita Roy Dutta at 15:19, 27 February 20212021-02-27T15:19:45Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Infobox dance <br />
|title = Kachchhi Ghodi Dance<br />
|alt = Kachchhi Ghodi Dance<br />
|image = Chokhi Dhani- hobby horse (cropped).jpg<br />
|caption = A Kachhi Ghodi dancer in a hobby horse costume<br />
|genre = [[Rajasthan]]i folk dance<br />
|origin = [[Shekhawati]], India<br />
}}<br />
{{Contains special characters|Indic}}<br />
{{Culture of India}}<br />
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'''''Kachchhi Ghodi'' dance''', also spelled '''''Kachhi Ghodi''''' and '''''Kachhi Gori''''', is an [[Folk dance in India|Indian folk dance]] that originated in the [[Shekhawati]] region of [[Rajasthan]]. It has since been adopted and performed throughout the rest of the country. Dancers wear novelty horse costumes, and participate in mock fights, while a singer narrates folk tales about local bandits. It is commonly performed during wedding ceremonies to welcome and entertain the bridegroom’s party, and during other social settings. Performing the dance is also a profession for some individuals.<br />
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==Etymology==<br />
In [[Hindi language|Hindi]], ''Kachchhi'' has many possible meanings, two of which are "diaper" and "of or belonging to the [[Kutch]] region",<ref>{{cite web | url=http://dict.hinkhoj.com/hindi-dictionary.php?scode=dict_home&word=%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%9A%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9B%E0%A5%80 | title=Kachchhi meaning in English | publisher=HinKhoj InfoLabs LLP | access-date=April 24, 2015}}</ref> while ''Ghodi'' means ''[[mare]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shabdkosh.com/hi/translate?e=%E0%A4%98%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BC%E0%A5%80&l=hi | title=Ghodi - Meaning in English | publisher=Shabdkosh.com | access-date=April 24, 2015}}</ref> Together, ''Kachchhi Ghodi'' refers to the imitation horse costume worn around the waist of the dancer.<br />
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==Description==<br />
Kachchhi Ghodi includes a combined performance by dancers, singers and musicians. In Rajasthan, the dance is performed by men dressed in a ''[[kurta]]'' and a [[turban]], along with an imitation horse costume.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kachhi Ghodi Dance|url=http://www.dance.anantagroup.com/kachhi-ghodi-dance/|publisher=Ananta Group Pvt Ltd|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> The shell of the costume is constructed out of [[papier-mâché]] molded to resemble a horse supported by a bamboo frame.<ref name="Gupta">{{cite book|last=Gupta|first=Dr. Mohan Lal|title=राजस्थान की पर्यावरणीय संस्कृति: Eco-Culture of Rajasthan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=smd6BwAAQBAJ&pg=PT274|publisher=Shubhda Prakashan|page=274}}</ref> It is then covered with bright colored fabric elaborately designed with mirror-work embroidery known as ''[[Shisha (embroidery)|Shisha]]''. The dummy horse does not have legs. Instead, fabric is draped around the dancer's waist covering the entire length of his legs. Around the ankles, the dancers wear musical bells known as ''[[ghungroo]]'', similar to those worn by [[Indian classical dance]]rs.<br />
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When performed as a group dance, people stand on opposite sides with swords in their hands and run back and forth quickly which, when viewed from above, resembles the opening and closing of flowers. The dancers move to the rhythm of [[flute]] music and the beats of [[dhol]] drums. Singers narrate the mock fights with stories of the exploits of [[Bhanwariya]] bandits, the Rajasthani equivalent of [[Robin Hood]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kacchi Ghodi Dance (performed by men on dummy horses)|url=http://padharorajasthan.co.in/music-and-dance-details/kachhi-ghodi-dance-9.html#.VSEbZvmJg2x|website=Padharo Rajasthan|access-date=9 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410025231/http://www.padharorajasthan.co.in/music-and-dance-details/kachhi-ghodi-dance-9.html#.VSEbZvmJg2x|archive-date=10 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />
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==Geography==<br />
[[File:Nonkudri.jpg|thumbnail|A group of ''Poikkal kuthirai aattam'' (false-leg horse dance) performers from [[Ramavaram, Tamil Nadu]].]]<br />
The dance originated in the [[Shekhawati]] region of [[Rajasthan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kachhi Ghodi Dance|url=http://rajasthan-tourism-guide.com/kacchi-ghodi.html|website=Rajasthan Tourism Guide|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> It is prevalent in the [[Kamdholi]], [[Sarghara]], [[Bhambi]] and [[Bhavi]] communities.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}} It is also performed with the same name in other parts of India, including [[Maharashtra]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Behrawala|first1=Krutika|title=A royal visarjan for Siddhivinayak Ganpati in Mumbai|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/mumbai/A-royal-visarjan-for-Siddhivinayak-Ganpati-in-Mumbai/articleshow/41792802.cms|access-date=9 April 2015|work=Times of India|agency=Times News Network (TNN)|date=6 September 2014}}</ref> and [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ramakrishnan|first1=Swetha|last2=Pundir|first2=Pallavi|title=Delhi’s Gujaratis rejoice: Modi makes dreams happen|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhis-gujaratis-rejoice-modi-makes-dreams-happen/|access-date=9 April 2015|work=The Indian Express|date=17 May 2014}}</ref><br />
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In the state of [[Tamil Nadu]], ''[[Dance forms of Tamil Nadu#Poikkal Kuthirai Aattam or False Horse Dance|Poikkal kuthirai aattam]]'' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]: பொய்க்கால் குதிரை ஆட்டம், which stands for ''false-leg horse dance'') is a folk dance similar to Kachchhi Ghodi. The differences lie in the props used. It is performed with wooden legs meant to resemble the sounds made by the hooves of a horse during the annual festivals of the [[Punnainallur Mariamman|Amman Temple]] in [[Thanjavur]]).<ref>{{cite book |author1=Mills, Margaret H. |author2=Claus, Peter J. |author3=Diamond, Sarah |title=South Asian folklore: an encyclopedia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka |publisher=Routledge |location=New York |year=2003 |page=592 |isbn=0-415-93919-4 }}</ref><br />
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==See also==<br />
* [[Folk dance in India]]<br />
* [[Culture of Rajasthan]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
* {{cite web|title=Kachhi Gori Folk Dances of Rajasthan|url=http://www.indianfolkdances.com/kachhi-gori-folk-dances-of-rajasthan.html|website=Dances of India|publisher=Pushpanjali|access-date=9 April 2015}}<br />
* https://wn.com/kachi_ghodi_dance/news – A video of the dance performance.<br />
* https://web.archive.org/web/20150409190818/http://www.discoveredindia.com/rajasthan/culture-in-rajasthan/dance-in-rajasthan/<br />
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-bEZlX7u8A - A Dance Video from Chokhi Dhani Pune.<br />
{{Dance in India}}<br />
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[[Category:Folk dances of Rajasthan]]</div>>Sumita Roy Dutta