Balancing act

Photo: STARJasim Majumder, Khagrachhari

'Hojagiri' dance is one of the most remarkable traditions of the indigenous Tripura community of Chittagong Hill Tracts. 'Hojagiri', a Tripura word, means balance.

The dance is usually staged during the full moon night of the months between October and November. The dance is staged to demonstrate one's capabilities and devotion. The Tripura indigenous community holds the lead position in performing this dance.

Gairing Cultural Forum director Roy Tripura said that the props required for this dance are earthen pitchers, oil lamps or candles, bottles, handkerchiefs or flowers, plates made of bamboo or metal.

This dance is usually performed by women but occasionally men can also participate in conjunction with female dancers. Both men and women wear their traditional attire and ornaments, he added.

In the course of the dance, artistes move plates on their hands while dancing on pitchers. Keeping a bottle on the head with an oil lamp on the top, a dancer slowly picks up a handkerchief or a flower kept at a little distance on the ground.

Throughout the dance they twist their waists with finesse, like snakes, performing to a captivated audience.