State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 09 Apr 2025

Folk Dance Artist Ram Sahai Pandey

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.