Continuing our journey through India in search of unknown dance forms, we chanced upon this lively folk dance from Arunachal Pradesh this week.
Set to beats of drum and the songs sung by the people of Nocte Tribe, Chalo dance is an eagerly awaited yearly tradition. It is performed in the month of October-November, in the Chalo-Loku Harvest festival. Interesting fact to note here is the name Chalo-Loku translates to paddy cultivation, and hence remains a celebration at the end of a past harvest season.
The Chalo dance welcomes performers of all ages, dressed in the traditional attire. Men wrap a loincloth around the waist and don-on silver or bamboo jewellery. An elaborate headgear completes the look, complete with white feathers and decorative pieces. Women wear a blouse and knee-length cotton skirt, and tie a matching belt around their waist. The accessories include metallic rings, armlets, anklets and earpieces.
Nocte tribe is a prominent one in Arunachal Pradesh and their celebrations are in a scale just as grand. With the Chalo-Loku festival lasting upto three days, rituals are conducted on a daily basis, followed by the Chalo dance performance.
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