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Mashaal Raas: The Fiery Folk Dance Keeping Jamnagar Navratri Alive
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News18•12-10-2026, 19:00
Mashaal Raas: The Fiery Folk Dance Keeping Jamnagar Navratri Alive
- •Mashaal Raas is a traditional and daring folk dance from Jamnagar, Gujarat, performed by a troupe of 12 male dancers during Navratri.
- •Dressed in traditional kediyu-choiyni outfits, the dancers carry flaming torches and move in synchronized inner and outer circles.
- •The choreography features intricate patterns like the sathiya and trishul, accompanied by devotional songs invoking the goddess Meldi.
- •The climax of the performance involves dancers leaping over burning cotton balls thrown into the dance area, creating a dramatic ring of fire.
- •This unique spectacle stands apart from conventional Garba, highlighting the rich and diverse folk traditions of the Saurashtra region.
Key Questions Answered
Mashaal Raas is a traditional Jamnagar folk dance performed by a troupe of 12 male dancers wearing traditional kediyu-choiyni outfits. Wielding burning torches, six dancers form an inner circle while another six move in an outer ring, leaping over burning cotton balls thrown into the arena as the choreography builds intensity.
The performance features devotional songs dedicated to the goddess Meldi, with lyrics such as “Ramti Aave Maadi, Ramti Aave, Aaj Maat Meldi, Ramti Aave” bringing devotion to the center of the spectacle.
Other folk dance forms performed in the region include Talwar Raas, Gulati Raas, Maniyaro, Datarada Raas, Salagati Indhoni Raas, and Salgato Sathiyo Raas, each reflecting the diverse cultural traditions of Gujarat.
