What is Dhamaal?

About Dhamaal:

• Dhamaal is a mix of Sufi and African (mostly East African) musical and dance
• It refers particularly to the spiritual practices of the Siddis of Gujarat.
• Usually, Dhamaal songs and dances are performed to celebrate the anniversary of the birth and death of spiritual leaders.
• They are performed in two ways
  • Dance Dhamaal: It is performed in both sitting and dance positions and the focus is more on the sounds of the instruments.
  • Baithaaki Dhamaal: is performed in the sitting position and the focus is more on the lyrics and less on the musical instruments.
• The spiritual songs that are sung during the Dhamaals are known as zikrs.

Key facts about Siddis

• The term Siddi refers to Afro-Indians— Africans who mixed with Indians through marriage and relationships.
• They crossed the Indian Ocean and arrived in India during the 12th, 13th and 14th century
• They were transported by Islamic invaders and Portuguese colonisers as enslaved people, palace guards, army chiefs, harem keepers, spiritual leaders, Sufi singers, dancers and treasurers.
• In the present day, the majority of them are found in the west and southwest of India, in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana states.