TAI KHAMTI PANTOMIME DANCE FROM ARUNACHAL PRADESH

The Tai Khamti dance "Ka Poong Tai" is one of the main dramatic art form of the Tai Khamtis. Unlike many forms of traditional Arunachali dance, the Khamti dance is a dance drama, expressively and elegantly reflect the rich culture of the Khamti Buddhist here. All the traditional folk dances of the Tai khamtis have their roots in South Asian countries like Thailand and Myanmar. The community has many folk dances and each dance has religious background behind them.

Some of the best Tai khamti dance drama are:

1. Peacock Dance: Also known as Kaa Kingnara Kingnari is a prominent dance among the Tai Khamti tribe in Arunachal Padesh. This dance is a Buddhistic belief in nature which depict the slow and gracious dance of mythical half human and half peacock that existed in the Himalayas.

2. Cock Fight Dance: Also known as 'Kaa Kong Tou Kai' is a popular dance of Tai Khamti tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. It is performed by two or four people who wear a head gear shaped like the head of the cock, accompanied by the beats of Drum (Kongpat), Cymbals (Paiseng) and a set of Gongs (Mong-Seing). This dance usually shows a fight between two cocks and is inspired by the ancient tradition of entertaining the king with a cock fight.

3. Deer Dance : According to the legendary story, deer-dancing (Kaa-Toe) in the month of October (Nuen-Sip-Eit) is a celebration of the light festival based on the story of the spirits of the people and animals welcoming the return of Buddha after his preaching and thanks giving to his mother and other spirit in spiritual world. This dancing of Ka-Toe is in fact a Buddhist belief and religious in nature.

4. Demon Dance : The demon dance 'Kaa Phi Phai' in khamti language is another prominent dance and is performed on important social and religious occasions. The theme of this dance revolves around the attainment of the enlightenment by Lord Buddha despite attempts of 'Mara', the king of evil spirits to disturb deep meditation of the Lord. Kaa Phi Phai symbolises the victory of the holy over the evil and marks the Buddha's attainment of 'Nirvana'.

Shared by : C.K Tunkhang
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