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Thursday, November 21, 2024
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Paika Dance, Jharkand
The Munda community of Jharkhand performs the Paika Dance. It is a stylized representation of the rituals connected with the preparations of war. The dancers hold bows, arrows, spears, swords and shields and the dance is, in fact a stylized worship of arms. The martial character of the dance is retained by the use of the shield and sword. The dancers display their skills in handling the sword and shield and the dance reaches a climax with the fast beat of the Madal. Previously the dance was performed to welcome guests, but nowadays it is also performed on different happy occasions like weddings.
