Performed as an expression of religious ecstasy, Dindi is a popular folk dance of Maharashtra. In this interesting dance form, performers come together in circles to swing to the beat of a drum called ‘dindi’. The dance that gets its name from an instrument which is performed to the beats of the drum. It’s a devotional dance form and the story usually narrates the playfulness of Lord Krishna.

A chorus leader usually sings at the center of the circle. The drummer also stands in the middle of the circle. The tone and beats build up with the dance and the performers stamp their feet, while making different formations.

Usually performed during the Kartik month on Ekadashi, Dindi is an interesting dance form of Maharashtra. The dance form gets its name from dindi, which is essentially a small drum shaped instrument that is used to play music during the performance.

The Dindi player is accompanied by Mridangam player as well as a vocalist. The Mridangam player is central to a dindi performance. Together, these musicians get a group of dancers to sway to the beat of their folksy music.

Dancers on their part form a geometric formation stamping their right feet and advancing forward with their left feet. Dindi is also known by the name of ‘Tamate’. It is performed by Varkari people in Maharashtra.

The Performance

Dindi is usually performed by a group of male dancers who make interesting formations, particularly in circles. Women too form a part of the group on some occasions. These dancers fall in two rows generally with each one facing one another. Versus and poems form a vital part of the dance form.

These versus and poems have the ability to convey important religious epics, which are shared to provide a message as well as entertainment to viewers. The dancers create a unique ambiance by swaying to specific movements of this dance form as portrayed through versus.

To show their gratitude to the Sun God and Lord Hanuman, dancers usually carry flags while visiting the temple. People of this region, the dancers in particular, believe that Dindi dance virtually opens the gates of heaven for them.

History

A religious devotional dance form, dindi is a manifestation of the playful nature of Lord Krishna. The depictions during performance are done in a way that it brings out the playfulness and acts of valor of Lord Krishna in a natural manner. There is no reference of the time frame for long Dindi is being performed. However, it signifies the religious aspirations that people in general have towards Lord Krishna. It is well understood that Dindi has been in existence since times immemorial.

The unique aspect of Dindi is that women as well as men dancers sway to the movements of Mridangam and Veena, both of which are used extensively during the performances.