Address:
Shillong, EAST KHASI HILLS ,MEGHALAYA - 793001
About type of art
The plucking of fruits that could be plums or oranges depending on the season, deserves a social celebration worthy to note. This dance engages female dancers only and it happens after the plucking of the fruits. The women dancers go around with their baskets full of red plums or riped oranges and offer the passers-by or the audience sitting by the side, a bite of the fruit. The women wear a simple cloth that circles the forehead and ties strongly at the back of the head. The rest of the clothing is simple and casual, as if the women had just come back from the colorful orchards. The dancers curtsey and throw themselves gently into the dance floor and dance in keeping tap with the background music that can be sung by both women and men.
Shad Kheitsoh as a dance form celebrates the fruits of labour of a particular family, clan or the entire village. It is watched by many in the village as the damsels carefully move their feet back and forth but still forming a rhythmic line in conjunction with the melody and the music performed by the traditional musicians in typical Khasi staccato style. It is a delight to watch this five to ten minute dance performance as the audience is mesmerized by the sound of music, the bright attire of the dancers, the facial expression of joy and contentment on their looks and the fruits of their hard-work.
Little children step to the front to have a clear view of the dance, elderly people tap their feet as they watch their grand-daughters dance and young bachelors willfully gaze at the damsels, while the village surrounded by the hills, the greenery, the rivulets and the pine trees is so full of the festive mood.
Usually, the village leadership and traditional chieftains are present to grace the occasion. They are welcomed with reverence by the organizers if there are any or any elderly member from the audience escorts the village leaders to the best place to watch the dance. Such practice happens very naturally as fruits are usually presented to the guests, the village leaders and everyone sitting around the dance floor