Clad in red and yellow dhotis, wearing brass anklets and a piece of cloth tied around their head, 15 men take the stage. As the accompanying musicians play heavy beats of the dhol (drums) and kanshi (cymbals), the dancers begin their performance. Perched on bamboo sticks, they use them as stilts to walk across the stage. Their moves are acrobatic and vigorous, punctuated by yells and gestures that suggest brandishing of knives, drawing bows from the quiver and galloping on the back of a horse. As the performance progresses, the group splits into pairs to create different formations — some standing on top of each other, others interlacing their arms and legs in a way that one partner hangs mid-air while the other swirls him around.

Jargram Brotochari Samiti dance troupe from West Bengal showcases various formations that are part of Raibenshe, in a Vile Parle West bylane. Pics/Tanvi Phondekar