Critical evaluation of Gambhira festival, an intangible cultural heritage resource of Malda District, West Bengal

The word ‘Folk’ comes from the word ‘Lok’ (intense lifestyle of village people). So, the word folk means ‘lok utsab’ or the festival of rural people. Folk dances of West Bengal harmonize the beautiful culture of the state by their colours and celebration. In the past the folk dances were either agricultural or devotional. Now a days the folk dances more inclined towards to present many socio-political problem. Very popular folk dances of West Bengal are Chau dance of Puruliya District, tribal dance at Sonajhuri hat of Birbhum district, Gambira dance of Malda district etc. Gambhira of Malda district is an intangible cultural heritage resources where the holy devotional dance done by worshippers of Shakti (Goddess Chandi). A whole mixture of all kind of art forms, like dance, dialogues, songs and music, Gambhira seems like a documentary-dance course or else a folk play. Gambhira dance is done along with melodic instruments, like flute, dhak or drum, Judi, cornet and harmonium. The present paper is an attempt to know the dynamics on the evolution of Gambhira and to highlight the present condition of Gambhira Artisans. This paper also highlighted the role of tourism sector to promote this famous folk drama worldwide.