Chailam is a popular dance performed on the occasion of
Chapchar Kut - an important festival of
Mizoram.
Legend is that once a king and his men went for hunting. Unfortunately, they had to return the palace without a kill. Then, the king consoled his men by inviting them for a party. A sumptuous feast was organized and the party culminated with colorful dances accompanied by rhythmic songs. Chapchar Kut festival and Chailam dance commemorate this event.
In this dance, men and women stand alternatively in circles, with the women holding on to the waist of the man, and the man on the women's shoulder. The musicians stand in the middle of the circle, playing the musical instruments such as drums and the Mithun's horn. Chai, a rhythmic song, is sung while performance. In olden days, the dancers used to consume rice-beer during performance.
