Tusu Parab is a dance performed during the
Makar Sankranti in
Birbhum District of
West Bengal. This dance is dedicated to Goddess Tusu and is performed by young girls.
During the Hindu month of Paush (December-January), girls gather every evening to sing songs. These songs are generally referred to as ‘Tusu’. On the day of the Makara Sankranti festival in this month, girls go in groups to a nearby tank or river. They carry along with them a small clay idol of Goddess Tusu or cow-dung balls representing the deity. The girls take a ceremonial bath in the water and then make offerings of rice to the deity. They sing songs near the riverbank.
The songs are accompanied by the Tusu Parab dance, the movements of which are simple. This dance is performed in groups. No musical instruments are used while performing this dance. The girls compete with each other during the performance.
