It is quite a sight when characters from mythology, comics, politics and history come together and dance in gay abandon to the beat of dhap and chang. To witness this, head to Lambourn- a village in Oxfordshire – on Holi.
The Chang performers dancers are dressed in every attire ranging from a dhoti and safa to a jeans T shirt and their exquisite moves can put the finest dancers to shame. Mr Megh Singh , Mr Gulab Singh Inda, Mr Jabar Singh Bhati and Mr Devi Singh Inda are the finest Chang Dhamal singers who sing ‘ haan re gaanjo pi le re ‘ , ‘Jorji champavat’ , ‘thoda luljya re’ in chorus.
Chang Dhamal is a traditional dance/ song that is performed in a circle. The dancers carry traditional musical instruments dhap and chang. Chang Dhamal begins after sunset and reaches a crescendo at midnight.
The village sees its Rajasthani stable workers who are settled across the county come down specially for the one-day event. “I came down this year for Chang dhamal at Lambourne. It keeps up my connect with my friends,” said Mahavir Singh from Steventon.
At times when traditions are getting obliviated, Lambourn is a place that still keeps it up.And the credit goes to Mr Jitendra Singh Punas who organised the holi event.
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What an interesting piece of news! More of this for the general public as most other so called Asian ( a classification all Indians should detesst) Publicaitons do not publish. A coulourful Holi celebration in rural Oxfordshire village is perfect example of how Hindus has assimilated peacefully in the UK rather than trying to build an image based upon religious idelogy by others by engaging the locals and show them the soft power, among Bollywood of our ancient traditions. Well done Eshadoot