Bacha Nagma information

Bacha Nagma is one of the major folk dance forms found in the Kashmir valley. It is also referred to as Bacha Gyavaun in certain parts of Kashmir.^[1] Afghans of Kabul are credited with the parentage of this dance. It is a derivative of the Hafiza Nagma.^[2] During the Bacha Nagma, a teenaged boy dressed as a girl dancer, who is trained in the Hafiza style of dancing sings Kashmiri Ballad and dances. This dance is popular in the villages, mainly at the harvest time. It is also popular for being performed in social gatherings and parties by young boys who disguise themselves as women in long skirts. Bacha Nagma is common in Kashmir during wedding celebrations and when the wedding processions are taken out on boats on the Jhelum river. This dance form is much appreciated and has the ability to engage large audiences. It is accompanied by instruments like rabab, sarangi, and drums.^[2] It involves quick spinning movements just like in the Hafiza dance form and some may even resemble those of kathak. The song-dance proceeding is known as Bach Nagma Jashan - Kid Dancer's Celebration.^[3] The dancer is known as The Bacha - the Kid - usually a thin and graceful boy/man who dances, sometimes comically, is always attired like a woman in a multi-colored frock-like dress.^{[citation needed]}

This dance occupies a very special place in the folklore of Kashmir and is performed during parties where people socialize with each other. too, The dance is also conducted during festivals and religious occasions. The audience is entertained by the rejoicing movements of the performers accompanied by very loud music. This folk dance form was one of the most prevalent ways of entertainment in the old days. With the passage of time, there come up in many ways by which people entertain themselves.^[3] The Bacha Nagma dance has still existed as a folk dance form and is considered one of the prime components of the Kashmiri culture. Before the Bacha Nagma, another type of celebration was much more popular - Hafiz Nagma, ‘Female dancer’s song’.^[4]