Jamshedpur, Nov. 28: Firkal, a traditional form of war dance performed by tribals in Jharkhand, is being adopted by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), New Delhi.

This comes in the footsteps of Seraikela Chhau, another dance form recently adopted by the apex body for promotion and preservation of dance and drama in the country.

An ancient dance form, Firkal is performed only by male members of the tribal society to depict the heroics of war and narrate how warriors saved their clan and homeland. It is also performed to invoke male feelings before a tribal goes hunting.

At present there is a small group of dancers at Rajasai village in Potak block of East Singhbhum, which has managed to preserve this traditional dance form. ?There are less than 50 artistes in the state who have some knowledge of this war dance,? said Amitav Ghosh, the local coordinator of SNA.

The decision to adopt Firkal was taken on the basis of a feasibility report by an expert group, which visited Jharkhand recently, said sources in the academy.

?After doing a detailed study on a feasibility report prepared by experts on Firkal, it has been decided by the Akademi to adopt this tribal dance form from December 1,? said Om Prakash Bharati, in charge of tribal dance at SNA.

The first training for the dancers from East Singhbhum will start under the guidance of SNA from the same day, he added.

?Adopting Firkal by SNA will provide a wide platform and better audience for the dance as it has happened in case of Seraikela Chhau. We expect that in the coming days this war dance will have a large number of performers as it happened in 1900,? said Ghosh.