From the golden sands of Rajasthan’s Thar Desert to the vibrant stages of Singapore, the hypnotic twirls of Kalbeliya transcend borders.
Often referred to as the “snake charmer’s dance,” Kalbeliya is a captivating Rajasthani folk art. Dancers, dressed in flowing, heavily embroidered black skirts with intricate mirrorwork, mimic the movements of a serpent, spinning and swaying to the infectious rhythms of traditional instruments like the pungi, kamaicha, and been.
The vibrant world of this nomadic dance is brought to life in the latest instalment of ‘Nam Marabu: An Insight’, a vodcast series produced through a special collaboration between tabla! and the ATAM.
Local audiences experienced Kalbeliya firsthand in August 2025, when a dedicated troupe of young dancers, guided by Omkar Arts’ founder and director Mdm Sreedevy, took to the stage.
Their performance was a highlight of ATAM’s ‘Anandha Kondaattam,’ a production which showcased over 20 traditional Indian art forms.
Recognising the profound cultural significance of the art form, ATAM collaborated with Gunsar Folk Music, an organisation in Jaisalmer dedicated to preserving Rajasthan’s traditional arts.
This partnership paved the way for Mdm Sreedevy, 54, to travel to the heart of the Thar Desert to learn directly from a traditional Kalbeliya master.
Immersing herself in the discipline, she absorbed the intricate techniques and the rich heritage of the dance from a 15th-generation practitioner.
Inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010, Kalbeliya is a complex tradition to master.
In the vodcast, Mdm Sreedevy opens up about the hurdles she faced during her rigorous training in Jaisalmer, from navigating the language barrier with local artists to adapting to a traditional teaching method that relied on observation rather than a formal syllabus.
Her efforts have also led to the introduction of Kalbeliya to local schools’ Indian Dance CCAs, giving students a first-hand opportunity to learn and perform an ancient dance form.
‘Nam Marabu: An Insight’ serves as a living archive, capturing the firsthand experiences of artists who have dedicated themselves to mastering and staging diverse traditional Indian art forms.
Watch their artistic journey here:
