BETTIAH, Oct. 18 -- Performed during Navratri in the Mithilanchal and Champaran regions, the Jhijhiya dance, dedicated exclusively to Goddess Durga, shares affinities with the popular Dandiya among many folk dance forms. However, as this distinct form faces extinction, the state government is trying to revive it through the Guru-Shishya scheme, which seeks to provide financial succour to those who preserve such traditions. As part of the Jhijhiya performance, virgin girls and women participate in traditional costumes, swaying along rhythms of Maithili folk songs. The dancers carry an earthen pot (jhijhiya) with holes on their heads, inside which a burning lamp (diya) is placed. According to folk beliefs, this dance is performed to please Goddess Durga and protect the family and society from the evil eye, tantric powers and black magic. This enchanting dance form, which is believed to have run from generation to generation, is however at the threshold of becoming extinct. Despite widespread concerns and some efforts to preserve regional folk arts, dance, music and other traditions, the Jhijhiya dance is slowly descending into oblivion. Beset by numerous hardships, let down by successive governments and increasingly spurned by the children of folk artistes, who see a bleak future in these art forms, Bihar's traditional folk dances, and age-old cultural traditions are today gasping badly and struggling to survive, raising concerns over the survival of a cultural heritage deeply rooted in the state's rural life. Jitendra Chaurasiya, director of the cultural organisation called Surangan and a disciple of the late folk dancer Vishwa Bandhu, who was posthumously awarded the Padma Shri, equated the "Jhijhiya dance" at par with "Dandiya" in class. "We have done nothing tangible to popularise this art form of ours, whereas Dandiya has received space in films. There is no reason why this art will not catch the fancy of people across the country, if played by any popular film actress in the film," said Chaurasiya, favouring "Jhijhiya nights" during Navratri to popularise the art. Referring to the two forms of Jhijhiya, he said Pawas Jhijhiya has virtually disappeared, while the Shardiya Navratri version has at least found some space in state-level performances. "Worse, other folk dances such as Jhamta, Jharkha and Karma, performed by the Tharu and Oraon tribal groups, have failed to travel beyond their districts, while some forms, like Jharni, are on the verge of extinction," said Chaurasiya. Ruby, director of the culture directorate, art and culture department, Bihar government, lists over 50 traditional art forms and musical instruments, which were the sources of amusement, recreation and entertainment for the masses in rural Bihar since yore, that are now getting endangered. "Our department is taking a slew of steps which include the Bihar Guru-Shishya Parampara Scheme for the revival and preservation of the folk art forms," she said. According to the department of Art, Culture and Youth, Bihar government, the endangered folk forms include Goriyababa, Bharthari Baba, Dinabhadri, Raja Salhes, Reshma-Chuharmal, Sati Bihula, Hirni-Birni among folk ballads, and Bidesia, Naach, Domkach, Baguli, Birha, Jalim Singh, Hirni-Birni, Chakuli Banka, Kirtaniya, Kshatriya Gugalaiya among folk theatre. The department identifies Paika dance, Karma dance, Kariya Jhumar dance, Dhobiya Ddnce, Jharni dance, Vidapat dance, Kathghodwa, Jhijhiya dance, and Pawariya dance among endangered folk dances, while Sumangali, Ropani Geet, Katni Geet, Chaita, Purbi, Sanskar Geet (birth, marriage, Dohad, Saadh, etc.), and Pawariya Geet as endangered folk music. These apart, Sarangi, Vichitra Veena, Rudra Veena, Israj, Violin, Shehnai, Been and Nagara are endangered folk musical instruments, while Khayal singing, Dhrupad, Dhamar singing, Pakhawaj, Sitar, Tumri, Dadra, Hori, Sattariya, etc and endangered painting traditions like Patna Kalam, etc....