About
Raut Nacha is performed by the Yadav (cattle-herding) community during the Dussehra season, dancers dressed in elaborate mirrorwork costume and tall feathered headgear, striking long sticks against each other in rhythm as they move through village streets in procession.
History
Rooted in a cattle-herding community's seasonal celebration marking the end of the monsoon grazing period, Raut Nacha has long doubled as a display of a troupe's discipline and physical skill, with rival village troupes historically competing for the most elaborate costume and tightest stick choreography.
Styles
Processional Raut Nacha
The traditional street form, performed moving through village lanes during Dussehra.
Stage Raut Nacha
A compressed arrangement for festival stages, retaining the stick choreography within a fixed performing area.
Instruments
Dafda · डफड़ा
A large frame drum central to Raut Nacha and Karma, played standing while dancers move in circular formation.
Timki · टिमकी
A small kettle drum played in pairs, adding a high, quick counter-rhythm to Raut Nacha processions.
Regions
Durg-Bhilai, Rajnandgaon