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It is a dance performed by men only to the beat of a big drum (bam) on the occasion of Holi in Bharatpur and Alwar region. The two men play it with the help of big poles and the dancers dance with colorful fluffs and feather-bound wood in their hands, tossing it in the air.
Apart from the drums, thali, tongs, dholak, manjira, and khadtalo are used in musical instruments. The song Rasiya with Bamb (Nagade) is called Bam rasiya. This dance is happy to have a new crop. The bam is also played during the dance by placing a plate on top of the glass.
Bam Nagara belongs to the percussion family of musical instruments. They are mostly used in Punjabi and Rajasthani folk music. It is an ancient drum brought in India in the middle ages mostly by Arabs and Persians.
Nagaras were treated as war drums. The loud and thundering beat of the huge drums usually meant that the army was marching into the
battle. Before the advent of the cannons the drums were used as well to herald the arrival of the kings and the princess, however nowadays Nagaras are used for all sorts of activities.
Nagara has been called the loudest drum in India. Apart from warfare activities Nagaras were also used in a more peaceful context.
‘Bam’ Nagara is a conical drum played with two sticks. It is a part of an orchestra used by folk music players. Just like the dhols, nagaras are used largely in the Punjabi folk music called Bhangra. It is the most important musical instrument used in Bhangras.
Nagaras are huge drums about 2 to 3 feet in diameter and are played with sticks. These were also used to introduce wrestlers and warriors in sports activities in the court of royal kings.
Nagara is made up of animal leather. Usually a buffalo or a camel hide is stretched across the round bowl shaped body. The bowl is iron made, clay or some other metal. Ropes interlock to keep the leather in place.