Daily Times

The Baloch are blessed with an attractive, unique and well-known culture that is rich in clap dances, musical ceremonies and impressive performers. The Baloch culture is recognised and known as a well-managed and unique one which seems entirely different from other cultures in the globe. The Baloch have sacrificed and contributed the most for the protection of their language, culture and cultural-related activities for the survival of their culture and its identification.

In fact, the Balochs always stay alert for the participation of musical and wedding ceremonies with performing in several dances in different styles with attractions. There are several musical instruments exclusive to the Balochi culture, like Nar Sur that is sung by a singer with the narration of a Balochi folk story.

The Balochi dances are performed well and wonderfully by performers who are already inhabited of dancing in musical ceremonies songs are sung amazingly by musicians through their self-made instruments such as Soroz, Naal and Taboora which attract the surrounded people. Balochi dances are separately performed by males and females who make a big circle and dance together with clappings according to the same rhythm of musical songs, mostly performing with Dohl. The main Balochi dance is known as Do-chapi (Two claps) which is attractively performed when a major numbers of men gathered and dance, clapping hands with moving of foot and head with same as rhythmical music being performed by drums (Dohl). The dancers wear similar turbans, shoes and clothes which look amazing while performing the Dochapi dance. Mostly, Do-chapi is performed in enjoyable occasions, marriage parties, concerts and celebration of special days like 2nd March (Baloch Culture Day) etc.

The women do perform well in multiple occasions with movement in a circle, clapping hands with Dohl and singing wedding songs namely Nazeenk, Salonk, Lewa and many more modern songs. The women Do-chapi is different from the men, as women do not dance like the same as men, rather they only go two-steps back and repeat their steps again with minor movement in the circle with clapping hands togather. The women Do-chapi attracts everyone and every female loves to participate in it.

However, there are multiple types of Balochi ‘Chaap’ such a Balochi Lewa, Latti and Balochi Hambo which are performed differently with brining minor changes in dances with claps also performed accordingly and uniquely. The main pillar of Balochi Dances is Clappings (Chaps) that is known as the foundation of different dances of Balochs. Every dance contains unique methods in which Clappings (Chaps) are compulsory with different styles of movement in the circle during the occasions. In such gatherings, the audiences gain pleasures and attractions and watch their heart-touching dances duration of several hours. Mostly, the Baloch youths (Males and females) are interested in performing the dances with feeling pleasures as dances are full of enjoyments and fun.

The writer teaches at DELTA and can be reached at shakeelphullan137@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, March 18^th 2019.