Daph Dance – Folk Dance of Harvest

Like Phag dance, Daph dance is also a seasonal dance. But this dance is performed in Haryana when the crop is ready to get harvested. Daph dance is also known as Dhamal dance. This dance is performed only by men. They thank god for the good harvest season. When they see good crops swaying in their lands they celebrate this happiness by doing the Daph dance. 

Daph dance can be traced back to the times of Mahabharata. Men bow down to the holy trinity, goddess Bhavani, and lord Ganesha. 

This dance has been named Dhap because the main musical instrument used in this dance is Dhap. It is similar to a tambourine. When it is being used in dance people decorate it with colorful clothes and paint to make it look more attractive. 

Instruments used in Daph Dance

• Dholak
• Dhap
• Basuri (musical pipe)
• Khartals
• Nagara
• Manjiras

Men also use their hands to create clap sounds. When they are dancing in a group clap sound matches with the music and brings more energy in the dancers. 

Songs sung while dancing tells about the labor and love of farmers. They also talk about their hopes and aspirations.