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'''Deodhani dance''' ({{lang-as|দেওধনী নৃত্য}}) is a [[Shaman]] [[folk dance]] from the [[India]]n state of [[Assam]]. It is as a [[Solo dance|solo]] or [[Group dance|group]] performance. Deodhani is of Bodo-kachari origin.<ref>Arabinda Nath Sharma writes, “Deodhani and Deodhai” dance are connected with the culture of Bodo-kachari(the original inhabitants) of the state. Deodhai, the male oracle, and Deodhani, the female oracle, as priestly dances are essential at the time of various ethnic folk religious beliefs like Marai Puja, Kherai etc.<br />
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{{URL|https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/145313/11/11_chapter%203.pdf}}</ref> In the group performance, it essentially comprises 3 or 4 women. This dance form is associated with the worship of the snake goddess [[Manasa]] or Marei/Maroi.{{cn|date=June 2020}} A Deodhani dance is generally performed to the accompaniment of songs sung by an ''oja'', an Assamese traditional chorus leader, <ref name=webindia>[http://www.webindia123.com/Assam/ARTS/ojapali.htm Oja-pali] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011131648/http://www.webindia123.com/Assam/ARTS/ojapali.htm |date=11 October 2013 }}, WebIndia</ref> during the dance in undivided Darrang district only.<br />
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==History==<br />
Deodhani is derived from two words, i.e. Deo means God and Dhani means woman literally meaning a woman possessed (Shaman) by god. A male Shaman form is also present called 'Jaki' in South Kamrup and 'Deodhai' in rest of the areas of Assam. The term 'Deodhani' depicts the dance of a Shaman woman or man when he/she is possessed by a spiritual being. In Deodhani the songs sung by [[Ojapali]] are known as Xuknoni in undivided Darrang district whereas in undivided Kamrup district it is accompanied by Kamrupi Bor-Dhul's.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nezcc.in/layouts/2012-09-08-10-40-06/assam-performing-arts |title=Assam - Performing Arts |publisher=Nezcc.in |date=2012-09-08 |accessdate=2013-06-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010130418/http://www.nezcc.in/layouts/2012-09-08-10-40-06/assam-performing-arts |archive-date=10 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="hpage1">{{cite web |url=http://info-assam.hpage.co.in/folk-dances-of-assam_45774691.html |title=Beauty Of Assam |publisher=Info-assam.hpage.co.in |date=2009-11-28 |accessdate=2013-06-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214003651/http://info-assam.hpage.co.in/folk-dances-of-assam_45774691.html |archive-date=14 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />
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==Specification==<br />
They take a sword and shield and display a virile [[war dance]] during the performance.<ref name="hpage1"/><ref>{{cite book|title=Sainik Samachar: The Pictorial Weekly of the Armed Forces|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fnffAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=9 June 2013|year=1990|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107142144/http://books.google.com/books?id=fnffAAAAMAAJ|archive-date=7 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
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==External links==<br />
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*[https://www.indiavideo.org/videopage.php?id=2049&rct=4 A ritual dance of Assam: Deodhani dance] at indiavideo.org website<br />
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{{Dance in India}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Deodhani Dance}}<br />
[[Category:Dances of Assam]]<br />
[[Category:Hindu dance traditions]]<br />
[[Category:Indian folk dances]]<br />
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