Ghungroo Musical Club Chandigarh

Biography

In the year 1993, 2003, 2007 to 2014, club invited different International Folk Dance Groups from Finland, Czech Republic [3 times], Saint Paul Reunion-France [2 times], Spain [ 4 times], Poland [2Times], South Korea, Slovak Republic and Venezuela. These groups had also performed at various places/cities, which were highly appreciated by everyone & all type of media as well. The club has also participated in the various International Folk Dance Festivals in Russia, Czech Republic [ 2 times], Jordan, Italy and Poland [3times] in the year 1993, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2016, which were also acclaimed and appreciated by everyone.

GATKA [MARSHAL ART] [Martial art]

Gatka is a Sikh martial art in which people use swords, sticks, and daggers. People believe that Guru Hargobind Sahib [Six master of Sikh religion] started the art of Gatka after the martyrdom of fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev [5th master]. In Sikhism/religion had ten gurus [Ten masters]. Wherever there is a large Khalsa Sikh population, there will be Gatka participants, which can consist of small children and adults. These participants usually perform Gatka on special holidays such as Baisakhi [Sikhism birthday/harvest fest] and Gurpurbs [Sikh religious celebration days].

Gatka is an ancient martial art which has been thoroughly battle-tested and has existed in northern India for many thousands of years. Although it uses the sword as its primary weapon, many other weapons are available to the Gatka master. Today, this art exist exclusively amongst the Sikhs who have passed down the flamboyant techniques through generations, since their sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib wore the two swords of MIRI[temporal, worldly] and PIRI[spiritual, transcendental].

Also called the gatka dance, this is a dance of celebration. Two men, each colourful staves, dance round each other and tap their sticks together in rhythm with the drums. The dance is often part of marriage celebrations, also can be called Martial art of Nihang Singhs. At least two persons are required the perform this dance, though there is no upper limit. Like other male/female dances it is danced in circles. The dancers hold staffs of various colors in their hands. They dance as they ply their staffs in rhythm crossing them, with each others. This is called gatka dance [dance of the Dum swords]. However, the artist playing Gatka wear Nihang Dress as it is considered to be Martial art form and is linked with the time of Guru Har Gobind Sahib [six master]. It is based on only a few movements but these movements are rather impressive. It high point is achieved when dancers sit down and cross batons. Old people, young children and flexible young men &women all perform this dance. The art of Gatka involves a series of integral combat training systems that include several systems of duels armed-unarmed and the use of weapons of defense and offence. It aims at the coordination of mind & body through the meditation of spiritual verses of Gurbani [Holy book of Siri Guru Granth Sahib], a holistic system by which the character and moral attitude of performer is shaped.

LIST OF EQUIPMENTS

• 1. INDIVIDUAL EVENT - SWORDS, SHIELD-SWORD, BOW STAFF [ONE SIDED OR TWO SIDED], SAFFA JUNG/GANDASSI, KAMAND TODA, STICKS [DAANG/LAATHI], SHIELD-KATAAR DAGGER, GURJ/GADA, TWO- SWORDS, KHANDA, TEGA [HEAVYSWORD], JANDARH [HEAVY SWORD].
• 2. TEAM EVENT - KHANDA, SWORD, SHIELD& SWORD, TWOOSWORDS, BOW-STAFF, SAFA-JUNG, GANDAASI, KAMAND TODA, STICKS, SHIELD-KATAAR DA

BHANGRA

The Bhangra dance of Punjab is associated with fairs, festivals, marriages, harvesting and every happy occasions. The Bhangra performed by village folk at the Baisakhi fair [Harvesting] is the most popular. Men dance an expression of Punjab’s vitality and gaiety, the Bhangra for all happy occasions. Dressed in traditional tehmats [cloth sheet], kurtas [shirt] and plumed turbans, dances perform to the rhythm of a drum called Dhol. Starting slowly dancers perform a number of movements mostly with raised hands and the tempo rises gradually until the dancers reach the stage where sound and movement merge into frenzied ecstasy. The dance is accompanied by singing of bolis, folk songs and traditional instruments. The dance was popular in Sailkot, Gujjranwla and Sargodha districts of pre-partition of the Punjab [Now in Pakistan]. After 1947, the Bhangra has come to be presented on stage. Stage presentations include many new actions and formations, which have added to the grace and thrill of the dance form.

MALWAI GIDDHA

Malwai Giddha is the folk dance of Malwa region of the Punjab, India. This dance is performed by bachelors. This includes teasing of the other people in their folk bolliyan [songs]. It originated in the Malwa region of the Punjab [ Muktsar, Bhatinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Sangrur Mansa and Patiala Districts].

In the Malwa area of the Punjab i.e. the area towards the south of the Sutlej River, giddha is also popular among men and known as the Malwai Giddha which is also called ‘Bebean Da Giddha’. It is performed on the occasion of marriages and during fairs & festivals of the area like Chhapaar, Mela [festival] Jagraon di Roshni and Dussehra of Sangrur. Dressed in kurta and chadraas and adorning plumed turbans each of the participant carries of folk instruments [chimta, dholak, kato garwa etc.]. Standing in circle, one of the participants comes forward and sings a boli towards the end of which, with a sudden burst of enthusiasm, everyone in the group starts playing his instrument to the rhythm of dholak reciting the last line of the boli in unison. Two participants come forward and perform while others make rhythmic and pleasing body movements’ upto climax and with an abrupt pause stop with a loud beat of the drum.  The dancers withdraw and another boli is sung followed by dance and orchestra music.The instruments used in the Malwai Giddha are not merely for show. The performer has to play it in rhythm. The performer needs to know not only how to play instrument but also the way to carry it. The instruments are decorated.

The folk instruments used in Malwai Giddha are: Chimta, Saap, Kato, Algoza, Wanjli, Manzire, khunde, Tumbi, Bugdhu, Gadvi-Chittar, Kartara, and Dholak

Note: Folk dance video I send in your whatsapp because I don't have link of this.