Gombhira, Gambhira or Gamvira (Bengali: গম্ভীরা) is a type of Bengali song and dance originating in the Bengal region, from what is known today as northwestern Bangladesh and north eastern West Bengal, India.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Gombhira | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Stylistic origins | Chapainawabganj, Maldah District |
In West Bengal (India), gombhira performances are centred around the Malda District whereas Chapai Nawabganj District is the main centre of Gambhira performances in Bangladesh. The tradition is also popular in the nearby districts of Rajshahi and Naogaon.[3] It is performed with a particularly distinctive rhythm and dance with two performers, always personifying a man and his maternal grandfather, discussing a topic to raise social awareness.
Gambhira mask
The Gambhira dance is performed all over the Malda district of North Bengal during the festival of Chaitra Sankranti. The masks are made out of neem and fig trees by the local Sutradhar community. Sometimes they were also made the mask of clay.[6]