Indian Folk Dance (Cheraw/ Bamboo Dance)

Cheraw/Bamboo Dance

Cheraw, also known as Bamboo Dance is the dance of Mizoram, one of the seven sisters states in North-East India. It is the most colorful and distinctive dance of the Mizos which is characterized by the use of bamboo staves kept across and horizontal the ground where the male dancers move the bamboo staves in rhythmic beats while female dancers performed by stepping in and out of bamboo blocks. It is one of the oldest dances of Mizoram and has become an integral part of almost every festival of Mizoram.

In the earlier days, the dance was performed to ensure a safe passage for the departed souls of mothers who died at birth child so that she may enter the abode safely. But nowadays, it is performed on any occasion. Cheraw Dance is a dance of sanctification and redemption performed with great care, precision and elegance.

It is believed that the Cheraw Dance has originated way back in the 1st century. Possibly, the forefathers of the Mizos brought it with them when they left their homes in the far east Asia. In this dance, the bamboos are clapped together by the male dancers on a particular beat. The female dancers having a perfect sense of timing, dance gracefully by stepping in and out of the cross and horizontally laid bamboo staves which are supported by two bases. Also when the bamboo when clapped produced a sound which forms the rhythm of the dance, indicating the timing of the dance as well.

As we can see in the picture, during the Cheraw Dance, the common costumes worn by the female dancers are the traditional dresses like Kawrchei (top), Puanchei (lower) and Vakiria (head gear) while the male dancers usually wear Pawndum (lower) and white tops or perform shirtless. All the vibrant colors of the costumes also brighten up the surrounding environment too.

It seems that the various movements of the dance are inspired by the nature. Some of the movements resemble the swaying of trees and  some other resemble the flying of birds. It is truly indeed a fact that the Cheraw Dance is definitely the most enchanting form of Mizoram culture.

On 12 March 2010, the largest Bamboo Dance (Cheraw) was achieved by 10,736 dancers during an event organised by the Government of Mizoram in Aizawl, Mizoram, India, which was entered in the Guinness Book f World Records. This was organised not only to make a record but also to boost tourism in this picturesque sate.