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Beginning with “Oci Moje Graoraste Boje” (My speckled grey eyes), the Vikac
calls by name the guests to that night’s dance.
The Vikac tries to get the attention of the ladies with a
traditional song of the Takovo area (a Serbian micro-region including Cacak, Gorni Milanovac, Rudnik, Gruže and Kolubara),
“Pogledaj Me, Mala Moja” (Look at me, my little one [because I am wearing new clothing]). This folk song is sung in
the “na bas” fashion (one leading voice joined in harmony by other voices).
The ladies- a little interested- join in with “kolanje” (song sung with a kolo) with the popular kolo,
“Dunje Ranke”. In the lyrics, a young lady still has not finished combing her hair, but once she does,
she will be ready to join the kolo circle.
This is followed by “Kolubarski Vez” (learned from the late, internationally acclaimed, Slobodan Slovic, previous
Artistic Director and Choreographer of Abraševic Kolo Ensemble from Cacak). Kolubarski Vez (Kolubara embroidery)
is typical of the northwestern portion of the Takovo region – like the embroidered chain stitch, the footwork is
connected to the music in complete agreement with the beat.
In contrast, the next three dances come from the
eastern portion of Serbia-around the locales of Bor and Negotin *. The melodies are minor in sound, the rhythms
range from 5/8- 9/8 and they are traditionally danced in lines with criss-cross hand-holds or belt holds.
“Pop Marinko” kolo begins this set with accented bounces and twists; followed by “ Stara Vlajna” a very
spirited earthy dance with strong twists of the torso and lifts, and stamps. The final kolo “Šestorka” begins with
the traditional song of eastern Serbia – “Oj Lele, Staraplanino” (Oh, my dear old mountain). The kolo begins slowly
with very defined footwork, then breaks out into a dynamic flurry of criss-crossing steps, lifts and very strong stamps
as the tempo of the steps races in time with the music.
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