Tur Drums

The folk music and dance of the Dangs — driven by the tur, the thali and an array of drums — is among the most distinctive and infectious tribal traditions in Gujarat. The tur is a long, curving brass or horn instrument whose deep, resonant call, together with the rhythm of the kahalya and other drums and the chime of the thali (a metal disc), provides the irresistible beat for the famous Dangi Nritya (Dang dance). Scores of dancers — men and women — link together in long, snaking lines and circles, moving in perfect, swirling unison, the patterns growing ever more complex and the tempo building to a dizzying, hypnotic climax that can continue for hours. The dancers wear vivid tribal dress and ornament, and the spectacle of so many moving as one is extraordinary. This music-and-dance tradition is the beating heart of Dangi culture, performed at the Dang Darbar, weddings, festivals and celebrations. It is famous across Gujarat and a highlight of any cultural encounter with the Dangs. For the visitor, the tur, drums and Dangi dance offer an unforgettable, immersive experience of tribal culture — best caught at the Dang Darbar or a festival. (The tur, drums and folk dance (Dangi Nritya) of the Dangs; swirling group dance; performed at fairs and festivals.)