#HSADelhi # Hmarstudentassociation, New Delhi
Fahrel-Tâwk Lâm (Pestle Dance)
-Hmar Frolic Dance
Performed by: HSA Delhi cultural troupe
Dated: March 7, 2022
Event: All India Women Karate Championship 2022
Organised by: Delhi Police
The performers dance between and across one or more pairs of horizontal pestles or long wooden shafts of loom which are held by two or more persons, one sitting at each end, who continously raise and lower in a regular rhytm - the dancers stepping alternatively between and outside them. The striking of the pestles produces beautiful clinking sound. Boys and girls would be sitting around the spot and sing the Fahrel-Tâwk Lâm song in perfect harmony with the rhythmic sounds of the pestles.
This dance is now popularly known as "Bamboo Dance" (Cheraw Kân) in Mizoram as bamboos are used instead of pestles. Originally, it was FAHREL-TÂWK LÂM (literally meaning "Pestle Striking Dance") in Hmar.
A new frolic song (used in this video) of Fahrel-Tâwk Lâm was composed by a Hmar poet, H. S Khûma for the inauguration of the Autonomous District Council of North Cachar Hills on the 29th April, 1952. The song has become very popular today.
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1. Zântieng vângkhuo sumtuol zâwlah,
Lenruol kimtê'n nun kan nuom;
Phei vâwr sieu sieu, châwnbân vai mawi
A ri'n vângkhuo a nghawr vêl ;
Tleng-tleng tet Tet, tleng-tleng tet-tet,
Chînlai lenruol zalêng an mawi
Sawrthlapui êng riei hnuoiah.
2. Tiena Pipu'n 'Tuolfasumsuk,
Lasi raulêng' ti'n lo ți.
Keini ruolthar nunkhuo nuomna,
Sikpui khuongchawi ieng lo nih;
Lêngi kân rawh, vâlmawi zui rawh,
Ngûr sakhming mawi kawrvaipa tuol
Zâwlah kan rem mawi sieu sieu.
Here's a poetic translation of the song in English -
1.At eventide on moonlit night,
Circle of friends, we gather;
Falling in steps, sway to rhythm;
As in festivals of yore.
Tleng-tleng tet-tet, tleng-tleng tet-tet ;
One cannot but fail to jolly
Amongst such a company.
.
2. In days of yore, ancestors fear
Spirits and ghosts which abound;
As we enjoy life dancing.
'Jump up' lady! 'Follow' young man,
We now enjoy life as we dance
In the lawn of officials
.
Translated in English by Rev. Hrilrokhum Țhiek