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Alkap (Bengali:আলকাপ) is aBengali folk dance popular in the districts ofMurshidabad,Malda andBirbhum inWest Bengal andChapai Nawabganj,Rajshahi inBangladesh.[1] It has also spread to the adjoining areas ofJharkhand andBihar such asDumka andPurnia.[2]
Kaap means 'kavya' (verse) and Aal means 'part of the verse'.[2] Another meaning of the word Aal is 'sharp'. The word Kaap is also one of the many meanings of 'sam' (সং) - a distorted form of gesture in the arena, or an image of a humorous comedian or social ugly subject.[3]
Alkap is an amalgamation of music, dance and theatrical presentation. An alkap group of ten to twelve performers is led by asarkar (master) orguru (leader) and includes two or three young men calledchhokras[check spelling], one or twogayens or singers,dohar, choristers, and musicians. Alkap is presented in five parts:Asar Vandana,Chhora,Kaap,Baithaki Gaan andKhemta Pala. The programme is a reflection of rural society and puts the focus on the prevailing socio-economic condition of the rural masses.[1][2]
Syed Mustafa Siraj's novelMayamrdanga is about an Alkap team.
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