Madhya Pradesh
Folk Dance Artist Ram Sahai Pandey
- 09 Apr 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
On 8th April 2025, Padma Shri awarded folk dance artist Ram Sahay Pandey passed away in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh.
Key Points
- About Ram Sahai:
- He was born on 11 March 1933 in Maddhar Patha village of Sagar district.
- He belonged to an agriculturist Brahmin family and was the youngest of four siblings.
- He got Rai dance recognized in 24 countries and established the Bundelkhandi Lok Nritya Natya Kala Parishad.
- In the year 2022, he was awarded Padma Shri.
- Apart from this, in the year 1980 he was awarded the title of 'Nritya Shiromani'.
Rai Dance
- Rai dance is the most famous dance of Bundelkhand.
- This dance is especially performed on special occasions like marriages and birth celebrations.
- Both men and women dance in it. The women who perform the Rai dance are called Bednis and the men are called Mridangdhari.
- Women tie ghungroos to their feet and dress up and dance to the beats of the Mridang. During this time men and women also sing Desi Swaang.
- Rai dance not only keeps the cultural heritage alive but also reveals the hidden folk art and traditions which symbolize the rich cultural heritage of Bundelkhand.
- The Bedia tribe in Madhya Pradesh performs this folk dance.
- It is also performed by women of the Ahir tribe on the occasion of the birth of a child in the Vaishya community.
