Raibeshe Dance: Murshidabad Artists Struggle to Preserve Fading Folk Art

• Raibeshe dancers from Barunya, Murshidabad, perform acrobatic feats like 'Ranpa' to earn a living.
• Approximately 15 young men sustain their families and work to preserve this ancient folk culture.
• Once popular, Raibeshe performances are now rare, mostly limited to Republic Day or Independence Day events.
• Gurusaday Dutt previously attempted to revive Raibeshe by integrating it with the Bratachari movement, but it did not last.
• Raibeshe, originating in Birbhum, involves physical prowess with bamboo sticks, traditionally performed by zamindar's lathials.

Why It Matters: Murshidabad's Raibeshe artists fight to keep their traditional dance alive amidst dwindling opportunities.