Organized in the sacred memory of Guru Ghasidas, Panthi is a folk dance usually performed by the people of
Satnami Tribe in
Chhattisgarh. It is conducted on the day of Maghi Purnima, the birth anniversary of their Guru Ghasidas. This dance includes a variety of steps and patterns. The dancers dance around a ‘jaitkham’ set up for the occasion, to the songs eulogizing their spiritual head. The songs also reflect the Nirvana philosophy, conveying the spirit of renunciation of their Guru and the teachings of saint poets like Kabir, Ramdas and Dadu. The dance starts with a slow beat, leading to a crescendo with rarely seen physical agility and grace. As the rhythm quickens, they indulge in acrobatics and even form human pyramids. The dance is accompanied by
mridangam and cymbals.
