Jhumar Dance of Haryana

Jhumar is a very popular dance of Haryana state. Young women who have recently got married perform this dance. They celebrate their joy of married life with each other in a playful manner through this dance. This folk dance is named after a jewel that is worn on the forehead by married women called ‘Jhumar’. This jewel is mostly made of silver. 

Women perform this dance at weddings and other joyful functions all around the state. As it is a married women’s dance men can not participate in it. This dance requires the race and light movements of a lady. Not only it has made a special place in Haryana people’s heart but it has also affected the people of Pakistan and Punjab too. In Punjab, it is called Gidda. It cannot be said that Gidda is exactly similar to Jhumar but they are similar in so many manners. 

Jhumar Dance Costume

Women wear bright color lehenga-choli – a skirt and blouse with a dupatta. All married women wear their prettiest clothes and prettiest jewelry and dance in joy. They move and sway in gentle motions. You can see the bright faces of everyone who is performing this dance. Women wear anklet, neckpiece, earrings, bindi, jhumar, bangles, and other ‘Suhagan’ token. 

Dance Performance

Women dance in a group. This is not a pair dance so the number of group members can be uneven too. The dance starts with one married young girl coming in the middle of the circle and singing a song. After she has finished her first line another married girl comes in the center and sings song.

Later all women start singing and clapping their hands together. They circle around the girl and play with their skirts. The main instruments used in this dance is dholak. If it is being performed at home functions then plates can be used to make a beat too.

You will not feel like that a party is going on after looking at this dance. Though, it surely does spread joy around its viewer’s hearts. It will be more fun if you get to do this dance once.