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music

Music of Mizoram

Music of Mizoram mainly comprises of both songs and musical instruments. The folk music occupies an eminent place among the traditional music of Mizoram. The folk songs of Mizoram can be broadly divided into ten types such as: Songs named after Tribes, Thiam hla & dawi hla (Invocation & Incantation), Dar Hla, Bawh Hla, Hlado, Puipun Hla, Lengzem Zai, Songs named after Tribes, Songs named after individuals, Songs named after modulation of the voice. The traditional music of Mizoram is usually accompanied with dance and drama.

The origin of music of Mizoram is a mystery story. Therefore, it is very difficult to chronologically arrange the sequences of the heritage of Mizoram Music. However, developments of some couplets can be traced between 1300 and 1400 AD during the establishment of Thantlang in Burma. B. Lalthangliana has stated that some of the folk songs that evolved during this period were Hla do (Chants of hunting); Dar Hla (songs on gong); Nauawih Hla (Cradle songs) and Bawh Hla (War chants). More songs were developed between late 15th and 17th Century AD.

A number of musical instruments accompany the folk songs of Mizoram. These musical instruments can be broadly classified into three categories: String instruments, Beating or Striking instruments and Wind instruments. Some of the String instruments are Tingtang, Lemlawi and Tuiumdar. Talhkhuang, Khuang and Dar, Bengbung, Seki are few Beating or Striking instruments. The popular Wind instruments are Hnahtum, Mautawtawrawl, Rawchhem, Tumphit, Phenglawng and Buhchangkuang.

art

India has a tradition of Art and crafts since the evolution of Indian civilization. Handloom and Handicrafts are the most popular art forms of Mizoram. In 1988 the Government of Mizoram established Mizoram Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited with the objective to promote and flourish handicrafts industries of the state.

Besides making shawls and Puan, Mizo people are proficient in making various articles made from bamboo. Here is a list of some of the articles made by Mizo people and used in their daily life.

Toys

Mizo People carve out beautiful toys out of bamboo. The Bamboo Pop Up Gun is a specialty among all other toys. Local craftsmen make this toy for children using a small length bamboo as a barrel. A small pellet is provided in the middle. When the splint is pulled back in the slot and released, this pellet is triggered out of the barrel.

Utensils and household items

Tuium is a water carrier made from bamboo with a diameter of about 100 millimeters to 140 millimeters. A winnowing Tray called the thlangra is a feature of Lushai tribe residing in Mizoram. It is triangular in shape and is made by skilled artisans. Craftsmen make it from thin strips of bamboo.

Smoking Pipes

There are two types of smoking pipes produced by Mizo people. Vaibel is a pipe made of bamboo and used primarily by Lushai males. Females use tuibur pipe. Tuibur is made by a combination of both clay and bamboo.

dance

The Popular Traditional Dances of Mizoram
Cheraw or Bamboo Dance
This is the most colourful and distinct dance of the Mizos. Long bamboo staves are used for this dance, therefore many people call it 'Bamboo Dance'.

Khuallam
This is a dance performed by a group of dancers, in colorful costumes, tapping their feet to the tunes of gongs and drums. Originally Khuallam was a dance performed by honoured 'invitees' while entering into the area where community feast used to take place.
The ceremony is accompanied by a feast and to this feast, friends from nearby villages are invited - hence, Khuallam is the dance of the guests.

Chheihlam
This dance is performed over a round of rice beer in the cool of the evening. The lyrics in triplets are normally fresh and spontaneous. On-the-spot compositions are made, recounting their heroic deeds and escapades and also lauding the honoured guests present there

music, art & dance