To know more about Kosli Sambalpuri Folk Dances visit : jaikosal.blogspot.com/2008/11/...
Out of the many folk dance that is still in practice from thousand of years in KOSAL region (Western Orissa)..Dhap is one of them.. It is a tribal dance mostly performed by the Kandha tribe of KOSAL region. It's origin is Balangir District.Both men and women participate in the dance. Men of one village dance with women of another village. Usually unmarried boys and girls take part. The dance is performed during marriage ceremony and more often for the sake of recreation. The dance is named so because of the accompanying instrument called Dhap. The dhap is in the shape of a Khanjari made up of wood with one side open and the other side covered with a piece of animal skin. The dhap dancer holds the dhap with his left hand, the sling slung over his left shoulder, and beats with his right as well as left hand.....
Leaving apart the Koshali Language, the various types of exotic folk songs and dances which exist in the KOSHAL (western orissa) area give ample evidence of its speciality and originality. These songs and dances are not merely outbreak of emotions but finer elements of life and livings, scientifically fused into the rhythm of the percussion instruments of the region which spontaneously touches the heart; irrespective of caste, creed, sect, religion and time. Any human being who sincerely hears the music of the songs and dances, feels the vibration- in its body, heart and mind..