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In popular Chari dance of Rajasthan the musical instrument Bankia is played during the performance of this folk dance. Bankia resembles the trumpet and belongs to the category of aerophones. It is also played during weddings, ceremonial processions, religious ceremonies and festive occasions in Rajasthan and neighbouring regions. It is performed mostly by the bhopas, the priest-singers of the folk deities and the Dhadhi community.
Chari Dance is performed in a group by women belonging to the Gujjar and Saini communities of North Rajasthan. The women, who are colourfully dressed and adorned with jewels such as armlets, bangdi, gajra, hansli, karli, kanka, mogri, navr, punchi and timniya, hold the Chari pots, usually made of brass or clay, on their heads. Chari is also referred to as Charu, which means metallic water pot. Usually the Chari is lit with fire and the fire is set with the usual lamp oil or with cotton seeds immersed in oil. The dancers, without touching it, perform graceful movements and fast twirls to the tunes of the Bankia and rhythms of the dholak.
The Chari dance is performed at weddings and on the birth of a child, particularly a male child, apart from other celebrations and festivals. This dance is said to depict the ritual of collecting water. Rajasthan being an arid region, women walk miles daily with their charis to collect water. Among the other instruments that accompany the Chari are the nagada, dholak, harmonium, dhol and bankia. The men stand in a corner and play these instruments with the women dancing at the centre.
Bankia is also part of the Kachi Ghodi folk dance which is performed by men on dummy horses.
Bankia is a wind instrument made of bronze. Used in religious ceremonies, this instrument is found in Rajasthan. A trumpet-shaped instrument used in social ceremonies and processions.
A bronze trumpet made in two parts. ‘Bugle’ like tube and a saucer shaped bell with an integrated mouthpiece. Used in processions, religious and social ceremonies in Rajasthan and neighbouring regions.