Raas, a historical perspective Part Two

So what is traditional Raas? ask me 50 years later and my answer will be different. I will try to answer that question as best as I know.
Can a bunch of "Sidi" (sufi Muslims of African origin who settled around town of Junagadh in Saurastra) dancing to African instruments be considered a form of Raas? absolutely. They did stick to a circle, started slow, only men danced and kept their tradition for years. These guys look like African Americans and talk like people from Saurashtra, but they kept their musical tradition.
If you go to North Gujarat the style is different from Saurashtra. In general men used to do Dandia Raas but it all changed in the thirties or forties and women joined men in this dance. I am sure in 2500 B.C. when Lord Krishna was around, men and women danced together. I remember in 1950's in my hometown ( I grew up in Bhavnagar Saurashtra, part of Gujarat), they used to dance to a brass band (known as Mithu Band). They would play tunes on clarinet and various band instruments. It was a lovely experience. A Rass can be very slow. Fast and vigorous dancing is not necessary. Grace (even for guys) and coordination, along with manly execution are important. Mumbai developed their own style of Raas and then came Gujarati movies and Bollywood. "Head bobbing" is not part of Raas and actually is considered uncouth. Movement of head while one is singing folksong like Raas is OK, but not for the dancers. Head bobbing inhibits body movements. It originated in Gujarati movies. "Twirling" the sticks is cool and experienced dancers can do all sorts of moves. Basic formation of Raas is round. There are two lines, one of men and one of women.
There is one particular style of Raas that was done during Navratri by pious worshippers of Godess Bhavani (Durga). They would tie one hand to the ceiling, and have a stick in another hand. They would keep dancing till the rope got teight and they could not move, and then go in the opposite direction. This would go on all night during Navratri season. I saw it in a coastal town of Saurashtra when I was a child. There was no electricity in the town so they would light "petromax" a camping type light. They must be very dedicated to keep doing this year after year. No work next day after the dance and no after Raas party!. So, the first Raas to be done to western instruments was in 1950's by my account.