The Raibense is a martial dance originating in physical culture and sport using the bamboo stick as weapon of offence and defence. The term refers to the robust bamboo stick used by militias and brigands in Bengal up to the last century, which became a prop in this traditional dance. The Bauris and Doms of Burdwan and Birbhum districts still perform Raibense.
<p>The dhol and kansi supply the musical accompaniment. The dancers wear anklets with bells on the right foot. In modern-day renderings, the dancers utter wild cries as the dance gathers momentum, and their movements suggest drawing the bow, hurling the spear, brandishing the sickle, and so on.
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Sandip Nag of Lokchhanda Cultural Unit, Medinipur, West Bengal and his group are performing the Raibense dance.
Ramesh Lalwani
CC BY 2.0
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