Dhunuchi Nritya or Dhunuchi Naach is a

Bengali Bengali or Bengalee, or Bengalese may refer to: *something of, from, or related to Bengal, a large region in South Asia * Bengalis, an ethnic and linguistic group of the region * Bengali language, the language they speak ** Bengali alphabet, the w ...

traditional dance. This devotional dance is performed during Hindu puja and

aarti ''Arti'' () or ''Aarati'' () is a Hindu ritual employed in worship, part of a ''Puja (Hinduism), puja'', in which light from a flame (fuelled by camphor, ghee, or oil) is ritually waved to venerate Hindu deities, deities. ''Arti'' also refers t ...

ceremonies in

Bengal Bengal ( ) is a Historical geography, historical geographical, ethnolinguistic and cultural term referring to a region in the Eastern South Asia, eastern part of the Indian subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. The region of Benga ...

. The dance is seen performed during

Durga Puja Durga Puja (ISO 15919, ISO: , ), also known as Durgotsava or Shaaradotsava, is an annual festival originating in the Indian subcontinent which pays homage to the Hinduism, Hindu goddess Durga, and is also celebrated because of Durga's victo ...

by devotees, mainly

Bengali Hindus Bengali Hindus () are adherents of Hinduism who ethnically, linguistically and genealogically identify as Bengalis. They make up the majority in the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Assam's Barak Valle ...

. This dance celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over

Mahishasura Mahishasura (, ) is a bovine asura in Hinduism. He is depicted in Hindu texts, Hindu literature as a deceitful demon who pursued his evil ways by shape-shifting. Mahishasura was the son of the asura Rambha (asura), Rambha and the brother of buf ...

, which incorporates themes of victory and empowerment.

Dance

Dhunuchi Nritya is deeply associated with Durga Puja, which is traditionally performed by men. Women are now increasingly taking an active part in traditionally masculine dances. The dance is usually performed during the last days of Durga Puja, especially between ''Ashtami'' and ''Dashami''.

Costumes

Both men and women usually wear traditional Bengali clothes while performing the Dhunuchi Nritya. The traditional dance-related dress for women is the

garad Garad ( Harari: ገራድ, , , Oromo: ''Garaada'') is a term used to refer to a king, Sultan or regional administrator. It was used primarily by Muslims in the Horn of Africa that were associated with Islamic states, most notably the Adal Sultanat ...

sari A sari (also called sharee, saree or sadi)The name of the garment in various regional languages include: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * is a drape (cloth) and a women's garment in the Indian subcontinent. It consists of an un-sti ...

, which Bengali Hindu women wear during puja or sacred religious ceremonies.

Dhoti The dhoti is an ankle-length breechcloth, wrapped around the waist and the legs, in resemblance to the shape of trousers. The dhoti is a garment of ethnic wear for men in the Indian subcontinent. The dhoti is fashioned out of a rectangular p ...

and Kurta-''panjabi'' for men; Dhoti can be white or colored but Kurta-''panjabi'' is of different colors.

Music and instruments

Dhunuchi dance is mainly presented through musical instruments, song is not required. The main instrument is the Dhak, a traditional Bengali instrument. Also used are ''Kansor'' and ''Ghanta''. Both instruments produce loud and heavy sounds. Dancers perform dances to the rhythm created by these loud sounds. It is also seen to carry Gamchas irrespective of men and women.

References

{{Dance in India Dances of India Culture of Bengal Culture of West Bengal