Rhythm, Movement and Marginality : A Study of Kalbeliya Folk Dance

Kalbeliya folk dance, originating from the Kalbeliya community of Rajasthan, represents a vibrant synthesis of rhythm, movement, and cultural identity. Traditionally performed by a historically marginalized nomadic snake-charmer community, the dance embodies both aesthetic brilliance and socio-cultural struggle. This article examines Kalbeliya dance as an expressive form that negotiates marginality through rhythm and movement. By analyzing its rhythmic patterns, bodily vocabulary, and social context, the study highlights how Kalbeliya dance functions as a medium of cultural survival, resistance, and assertion of identity in contemporary India. The recognition of Kalbeliya dance by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage has further transformed its socio-cultural positioning, creating new opportunities as well as challenges for the community