RUFF

Ruff is a type of dance in which two rows of women take part with their arms interlocked, sing a song in chorus, keeping rhythm with the movements of their legs and feet while making backward and forward motions.This type of dance is usually held at Eid festivals and at the time of marriage ceremony mostly at “Maenezrat” i.e., when the hands and feet of the bride and bridegroom are dyed in henna.These songs are delightful to watch and hear. These dance songs evince the physical expression of the inner response of Kashmiris to the joy and beauty of nature around them. Some examples of this type of songs are:--

“Walai ruff hai karwai Nabi sabun trawa Tateh deedar karwai”

O friend, let us sing and dance we will go toward the shrine of Prophet of Islam, there we shall have the pilgrimage.

“Eid aie rassa rassa Eidgah waswai, Yami andah nabi sahib Tami andah waswai “.

O friend, Eid has come slowly and slowly. Let us go to Eidgah to offer prayers.Where there is a shrine of Prophet, we shall proceed towards that side only.