The song Ghoomar from Deepika Padukone-starrer Padmawati has received over a million views. But, in Rajasthan it is drawing flack for the shoddy presentation of the graceful traditional dance form. The exponents of the dance form, historians, and even women in general, are appalled at the way Ghoomar has been depicted in the song.
Ghoomar is traditionally performed by veiled women, though this practice has changed with time. However, the traditional costume of the dance form covers the entire body, whereas Deepika’s costume bears the midriff. Further, ghoomar has slow, graceful movements, mainly hand movement. There are no jerky waist and bust movements (latkas), unlike what Deepika is seen doing.
According to senior historian Dr RS Khangarot, “This is imaginary. The song shows a darbar and ghoomar is performed in a zenana (women’s quarters). Queens never performed! Moreover, ghoomar is a dance form of western Rajasthan and chittor is in South. Ghoomar is an aristrocratic dance, definitely not for public show,” said Khangarot.
