Alkap
Template:Short description Template:Use Indian English Template:Culture of Bengal Alkap (Template:Langx) is a Bengali folk dance popular in the districts of Murshidabad, Malda and Birbhum in West Bengal and Chapai Nawabganj, Rajshahi in Bangladesh.[1] It has also spread to the adjoining areas of Jharkhand and Bihar such as Dumka and Purnia.[2]
Etymology
Kaap means 'kavya' (verse) and Aal means 'part of the verse'.[2] Another meaning of the word Aal is 'sharp'. The word Kaap is also one of the many meanings of 'sam' - a distorted form of gesture in the arena, or an image of a humorous comedian or social ugly subject.[3]
Form
Alkap is an amalgamation of music, dance and theatrical presentation. An alkap group of ten to twelve performers is led by a sarkar (master) or guru (leader) and includes two or three young men called chhokrasTemplate:Typo help inline, one or two gayens or singers, dohar, choristers, and musicians. Alkap is presented in five parts: Asar Vandana, Chhora, Kaap, Baithaki Gaan and Khemta Pala. The programme is a reflection of rural society and puts the focus on the prevailing socio-economic condition of the rural masses.[1][2]
In popular culture
Syed Mustafa Siraj's novel Mayamrdanga is about an Alkap team.
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Template:Dance in India Template:Culture of West Bengal Template:Bengali Hindu people