Tera Tali is a Rajasthani dance performed by the members of Kamar tribe, traditionally snake charmers. This dance is performed to worship their deity Baba Ramdev and as such is performed at the Baba`s temple in Runecha. Bhajans or hymns or folk songs are sung while performing this dance.
The dance performed by the women of the tribe has one major difference over other dances. The dancers perform this while sitting on the ground and the dance moves resemble that of a snake`s movement.
Two or three women are seated on the ground with veil on their face with or without a sword clenched between their teeth. They sway, shift and slide on the ground. The women are dressed in colorful, beautifully embroidered ghagras (Long skirts) and Cholis (Top) along with cymbals or Manjeeras in their hands and another thirteen cymbals tied to different parts of their body.
These cymbals make a clanging sound which stands out from the vocals and other heavy musical accompaniments and yet compliments them beautifully. To make a musical impression the cymbals have to be brought together at different points and correct angles. This requires the dance be performed with great accuracy and precision, more so if the dancer has a sword clenched between her teeth. It is the beats of these cymbals that give the dance its name, Tera Tali or thirteen beats.
While it`s the women who perform this dance, it`s the men who do the singing. The men also play string instruments like Ek Tara or Chau Tara.