Raas is a style of dance that originated in Gujarat, India. It has its origins in the Shrimad Bhagavatam, which is an ancient Hindu scripture. Raas comes from "Raas Leela" which basically describes the Hindu God Krishna who playfully dances with the village women, called Gopis. The breakdown of the words "Raas Leela" perhaps best describes the dancing. As quoted from an online source, "'Raas' comes from the Sanskrit word "Ras," literally meaning "taste", but interpreted to mean "emotion." The word "Leela" broadly describes the actions of God that we may or may not understand; however, in "Raas Leela", the word refers to Lord Krishna's playful dance. Therefore, Raas Leela describes the dance of Lord Krishna performed with full emotion, love, and bliss."
Raas-Leela
Raas is performed with two sticks, one in each hand, called Dandiyas. They signify the swords that the Goddess Durga used to fight the demon. The pairs of sticks are then used to hit another persons pair of sticks while dancing in a fluid motion. They are also sometimes used to make noise when hit together. Raas is performed to music that entails numerous heavy drum beats and flute music. While the performers are dancing, they move into different formations. The most common is the horizontal line where people partner up and hit their dandiyas together. A picture is shown below:
Raas is normally performed during Navratri, a nine night Hindu festival worshiping Shakti (Power), also known as the Goddess of Durga. Raas is also performed at many auspicious occasions, such as weddings.
Next up--> GARBA!
Raas is performed with two sticks, one in each hand, called Dandiyas. They signify the swords that the Goddess Durga used to fight the demon. The pairs of sticks are then used to hit another persons pair of sticks while dancing in a fluid motion. They are also sometimes used to make noise when hit together. Raas is performed to music that entails numerous heavy drum beats and flute music. While the performers are dancing, they move into different formations. The most common is the horizontal line where people partner up and hit their dandiyas together. A picture is shown below:
Raas is normally performed during Navratri, a nine night Hindu festival worshiping Shakti (Power), also known as the Goddess of Durga. Raas is also performed at many auspicious occasions, such as weddings.
Next up--> GARBA!
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