Kashmir Dance
& Music
Rouf :
This dance is almost steeped in
antiquity. 
Rouf is always performed in the accompaniment
of pleasant pathetic song. It is performed
on all festive occasions and particularly
on the evenings of Ramzan and IDD days.
Group of women face each other and perform
simple footwork which has a sensuous charm
about it.
Hafiz
Nagma : Hafiz Nagma is based on
the classical music of Kashmir- the Sofiyiana
Kalam. The Sufiyana Kalam has its own
ragas known as Muquam. The prominent instrument
used in Hafiz Nagma is called Santoor-a
hundred stringed instrument played with
sticks. The danseuse in this tradition
is known as 'Hafiza'.
Song of Habba
Khatoon : Habba Khatoon was
the renowned princess of Kashmir. Her feelings
during her separation form the Yousuf King is
depicted in this song. The song is based on
the folk renderings of kashmiri Music.
Jagarna
: This marriage song cum-dance
form has the elements of theatre. Whjile the
menfolk of the bridegroom's house have gone
with the Barat woment folk are left alone in
the house. The bridegroom's mother, aunts, mgradmother
and other relations indulge in gossips revelations
of their marital life and the behaviour of their
husbands. But sometimes, in right earnest, they
reveal some intimate incidents and spend the
night in the atmosphere which is un-interrupted
by menfolk in ints flow of unending gossip and
the movement of frolicking feet.
Surma :
This song in Dogri, set to dance reveals
the anguish of a newly married girl
whose husband is away in the Army. The ever
increasing yearning of re-union is depicted
through this song-dance.
Bakhan : This folk song is a widely prevalent
form of mass entertainment in our region. The
haunting Melody of Pahari songs add to the beauty
and joy of daily life.There are certain songs
which are independent of instruments. "Bakhan"
is such a best example. "Bakhan" are in verse.
The metre is irregular and is determined by
modulation in tone. The movemtn of hand indicates
the variations in the note. This is the only
form of lyric in Dgri which resembles the Western
harmony of sounds without loosing its individual
note and rhythem.
Geetru
: A dance-song
of Dogra Pahari region of Jammu being performed
at the occasion of feasts, festivals and marriages
by the rural folk parties of this region. Male
and female both participate in this dance-song
in their traditional costumes. This type of
dance-song is performed at any time of the day
as well as night.