Rajasthani Kalbelia Dance

Rajasthani Gypsy, or Kalbelia, dance is fun, lively, folkloric, and non-technical. It is characterized by rhythmic stomps, hip movements and kicks, ever-changing hand movements, spinning, dancing on the knees, and dancing with others. It is a dance for fun and celebration.

As part of under standing one of the many roots of belly dance, I went to India to learn dances of the Kalbelia people of Rajasthan. The Kalbelia people are the gypsies of Rajasthan. One of the traditional occupations of these formerly nomadic people is snake charming. Many scholars believe that the Gypsies originated in what is now northwest India in the area of Rajasthan and that they traveled from there through Asia to Egypt, Turkey, Europe, and beyond.

To contact me about teaching a workshop on Rajasthani Kalbelia dance, contact me at annyaish(at)Annya-Ishtara-dance(dot)com. * Remenber to fill in the appropriate punctuation to make this a valid email address.