QUE. Give a picture of the folk dances and folk fairs of the vast coastal area of ​​Gujarat.

Castes like Ahir, Mer, Sidi, Koli, Kharwa, Padhar etc. living along the 1600 km coastline of Gujarat celebrate their own unique folk dances and folk fairs.

• Folk dances of the coastal area:
  
• Maniyaro Dance: A Khamirvantu dance of the Mer caste people living on the coast of Porbandar. Maniyaro dance is very famous in the Saurashtra region.

• Dholorano: This dance is performed at the time of harvest in Ghogha Panthak, located on the coast of Bhavnagar district. It is mainly performed to provide entertainment to the workers along with physical labor. Currently, Ghogha Sarkal Mandali is associated with this dance.

• Commentary Dance: This dance is performed by the sisters of Koli and Kharwa castes in Chorwad panthak located on the coast of Junagadh district. The sisters dance to get entertainment along with physical labor.

• Dhamal Dance: The Sidi people living in Jafrabad panthak of Bharuch district perform Dhamal dance which is similar to the African Gill dance. In this dance, the instrument of women is known as ‘Selani’ and the instrument of men is known as ‘Dhamal’.

• Manjira Dance: Performed by the Padhar caste people living in the coastal areas of Ahmedabad. This dance depicts the women and men rocking the boat.

• Folk fairs of the coastal area:

• Madhavpur Fair: A fair is organized in the coastal Madhavpur Ghed area of ​​Porbandar district, where the marriage of Lord Krishna and Rukmini took place. The fair features exhibitions of handicrafts and handicrafts.

• Koliak Fair: This fair is organized in the premises of the Nalank Mahadev temple on the coast in Bhavnagar district.

• Gopnath Fair: Gopnath Fair is organized near the Gopnath Mahadev temple on the coast in Bhavnagar district.

• Vautha Fair: The Vautha Fair, held near Saptasangam near the coast in Ahmedabad district, is the largest fair in Gujarat for the sale and purchase of donkeys and camels. 

Thus, the folk dances and folk fairs of the vast coastal area of ​​Gujarat are a reflection of the culture of the region.