Teratali is another famous folk dance of Rajasthan. Performed by the ‘Kamar‘ tribe. The women folk sit on the ground while performing the Tera Tali. Men? Well they just sing. An interesting part of the Tera Tali dance is tying of metal cymbals (Manjiras) to different parts of the body, mostly on the legs. On many occasions the women clasp a sword in between their teeth and balance a decorative pot on their head.
The ‘Teratali’ is a fascinating dance performed by women, while sitting. The women have ‘manjeeras’ (little brass discs) tied with long strings to their wrists, elbows, waists, arms and a pair in their hands as well. Their male accompanists sing and play the ‘tandoora’ while the women, with dexterous and fine movements, create a strong rhythm with the ‘manjeeras’. For added effect, they may hold a sword between their teeth or balance pots or lighted lamps on their heads.
Tera Tali Dance is one of the complex as well as an excellent folk dance of Rajasthan. The Thirteen cymbals used in the different body parts of the female dancer is magnificent scene to watch. The way the dancer matches the swinging manjeeras with the rhythm of the background music is a beauty. The Manjeeras and other metallic discs, used in the Tera Tali dance are made of bronze, brass, copper and zinc. Often a swords is also used by the professional Tera Tali dancer and also a pot on her to make the dance more attractive.
