JHARGRAM is the golden treasury of tribal dances. The Santals, Mundas, Bhumijs, Lodhas and Sabars (aboriginal tribes) co-exist here. Their social performances, religious rites and rituals are expressed through dances amid jungles. Some of these tribal dances are at the verge of extinction. We would represent the rare tribal folk-dances in the following manner :

Bhuang:

It is a popular and beautiful folk-dance of the Santals. During Durgotsab (Durga Puja) the Vijaya-dasami is the auspicious day for Bhuang-dance. A myth is there, only male artists wearing dhuties on knee, napkin around waist, red tape in unpolished hair and feathers of peacock upon head; dance from afternoon to night. This dance is named after a peculiar musical instrument called 'Bhuang'. The Bhuang is made of pumpkin.

Chang-Dance :

Far away from civilized society the aboriginal hunting tribe Lodha & Sabars reside. They live in the woods. Their only dance is 'Chang'. It is generally held during worship, marriage and sometime during funerals also. A daffli like musical instrument is 'changu' made from karat tree is needed at the time of dancing. Five to Seven Lodha male artists participate in it. They dance in encircling from evening to mid-night amid the jungles. It is very thrilling. The dance is quite unknown to the greater world. It is a matter of great tragedy that due to rapid urbanization, cultural aggression and influence of external culture, this dance is becoming extinct.

Chhou :

Originally Chhouu dance is a tropical traditional composition of a place in Purulia district of West Bengal. Having its base from Ramayana and Mahabharata, accepting different tales from these epics, the artist wear Mask of the heroes and perform the play. Chhou dance is the traditional dance belonging to Raj Family of Chilkigarh. It has gained international recognition. In later periods this dance spread in various places of Jhargram without the use of Masks.

Dangrey :

It is a rare war-dance of the Santal tribe of the forest-based areas. The dance is held during summer on the eve of hunting. Artists with arms show their heroic attitude with music. Only male santal youth take part in the dance. Musical instruments like Madals & Dhamsas and Bows-arrows, arms like Tangi are used in the dance.

Jhumur :

Jhumur is a people's movement, which touches revolution, sadness and love. Only Jhumur has a main attraction of music and folk dance. Jhumur has earned a place in the king's palace. Mainly West Bengal and South-eastern Kings of Purulia, kings of Chilkigarh has placed Jhumur in high esteem. Because of this Jhumur has earned a special Gharana. It comes from Chatonagpur plateau. But apart from this Jhumur has a collocial place in the hearts of the people.

Panta-Dance :

In the local dialect 'Panta' means group. It is group-dance of the Bhumij tribe of West Bengal. During crop cutting and planting this dance is in vogue. This is a very common dance of Bhumij, where both male & female take part spontaneously.

Ranpa :

The dance is a rare Mundari dance. The artists use ladder made of bamboos while dancing. The dancers have to work hard during the dance. There is every chance to fall from ladder. The folk artists are young, use dhuties, red-napkins, red-tap on the forehead, wear stockings on their feet. Madal and dhamsas are the main musical-instruments.

Saharul :

It is a seasonal dance of the Santals. When new leaves grow on Sal-trees in the Bengali month 'Vaisak' (April-May) the Santals worship their Goddess 'Mamarey' under an old Sal tree and welcome leafy Sal trees by their unusual dance. The dance is called 'Saharul' or 'Sarul'. Both male and female artists wearing dhuties and saries, wearing flowers in their head dance encircling. Madal, Dhamsa, Jhumka, are the musical instruments played by male artists. The dance is performed since morning to evening.

Reference : jhargramtourism.com