Folk Songs and Dances of Uttarakhand
Folk Songs and Dances of Uttarakhand
Folk Songs and Dances of Uttarakhand
Folk Songs and Dances of Uttarakhand : The Indian state of Uttarakhand, nestled in the Himalayas, is a land of rich cultural heritage. Music and dance are integral parts of the lives of the people of Uttarakhand. The folk songs and dances here are as diverse as the state’s geography and people.
Key Highlights
- Uttarakhand has a variety of captivating folk song and dance forms from the Garhwal and Kumaon regions
- The major folk song forms include Mangal, Jagar, Puja folk songs, Basanti, Bajuband, Chhopati etc.
- Popular folk dances are Chanchari, Barada Nati, Pandav Nritya, Shotiya, Thali-Jadda, Jhumeila etc.
- Folk songs and dances are connected to local deities, rituals, seasons, daily life, and special occasions
- Traditional musical instruments like dhol, damau, turri, ransingha, masakbhaja etc. accompany the songs and dances
Geographical Spread
The folk culture mainly thrives in the rural settlements and small towns of Uttarakhand. The central and eastern districts of Garhwal region like Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli districts are particularly rich in folk arts. In Kumaon region, the districts of Almora, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Nainital etc. have vibrant folk song and dance heritage.
Folk Songs of Uttarakhand
The soulful folk songs of Uttarakhand spring from the hearts of the simple hardworking mountain folk. These songs crystallize their joys, sorrows, beliefs, aspirations and every aspect of their lives.
Puja Folk Songs
These are religious songs sung during worship of deities and rituals. Every family has a kul devta (family deity) who they propitiate through puja rituals accompanied by these songs.
Types
- Songs for specific deities and occasions e.g. ‘Devi geet’ for Goddess worship
- Songs with tantric mantras to cure ailments
- Songs for invoking spirits in religious trance rituals like Jagar
Significance
- Embody tribal beliefs, mythologies, valorous tales of early kings etc.
- Medium to connect with the divine
Bajuband
Bajuband is a romantic folk song of the shepherds depicting their love stories. These songs are dialogues between a man and woman set in idyllic Himalayan valleys.
Key Aspects
- Celebrates feelings of love, longing, sacrifice
- Sung during festivals or while proposing to the beloved
- Soothing, sweet, and melancholic melody
Example
Mai hu teri chunariya, tu mera chunariya (I am your scarf, you are mine)
Basanti
These upbeat songs welcome the spring season, describing vivid images of blooming flowers, love, and the beauty of nature.
Key Highlights
- Popular in whole Uttarakhand to mark onset of Spring
- Sung by groups in lively rhythmic style
- Use of traditional instruments like dhol, damau etc.
Excerpt
Aayi Basant Ritu, Sab Khet Me Jhume Phool (The spring season has come, flowers are blooming in fields)
Chhopati
Chhopati folk songs originated in Tehri Garhwal region. These light-hearted romantic songs often take the form of melodious dialogues between lovers.
Style
- Question and answer format
- Witty, humorous, and cheerful expressions of love
Example
Girl: Why are you staring at me?
Boy: I was just lost in your eyes.
Mangal Geet
These sacred songs in praise of the family deity are sung during wedding rituals in traditional Hindu marriages.
Key Aspects
- Considered auspicious for beginning of matrimony
- Blend of folk tunes and Vedic wedding chants
- Garhwal region has rich heritage of Mangal songs
Excerpt
Dev dulare mangal gao, Avir sumangali bhavao (Oh darling of Gods, sing the auspicious song, be the blessed wife)
Folk Dances of Uttarakhand
The dances of Uttarakhand are vibrant rituals which enthusiastically celebrate the many facets of life. These earthy dances are about expressing joy, valour, romance, or simply shedding inhibitions!
Chanchari
This festive group dance is popular in Bageshwar district of Kumaon. Dancers holding hands move rhythmically in a circle, celebrating life with carefree motions.
Key Features
- Performed on social events and religious occasions
- No rigid moves, only spontaneous motions
- Women in colorful Kumaoni attire with odhnis (scarves)
Barada Nati
Barada Nati folk dance drama from Jaunsar-Bawar region has vibrant costumes, music and energetic moves.
Style
- Performed in temples to honor local deities
- Men and women dancers in traditional attire
- Cymbals, drums, shehnai-like instruments in orchestra
Pandav Nritya
This dance-drama recounts tales from Mahabharata through costumes, songs and dialogue. The dancers vividly bring to life characters like Pandavas, Draupadi, Krishna, depicting major events.
Key Aspects
- Traditionally performed during Diwali in Chamoli district
- Blend of acting, dialogues, and expressive gestures
- Dancers in Pandava costumes with traditional ornaments
Excerpt from Song
Pandavo ki katha sunao bhai (Listen to the tale of the Pandavas, brother)
Shotiya
The martial Shotiya tribe present this virile dance as part of funerary customs. The war-like dance honors the departed soul, celebrating the belief that death liberates one to a better world.
Style
- Performed around corpse before cremation
- Vigorous and fast-paced drum beats
- Dancers with swords and shields, symbolic of their valor
Thali-Jadda
This festive dance is popular among women of Kumaon region who dance together in their traditional attire.
Key Features
- Performed during festivals like Vishu, Deepawali etc.
- Dancers move gracefully to upbeat folk songs
- Thali and Jadda (cymbals and large ear rings) provide rhythmic musical accompaniment
Excerpt from Song
Nacho gaiya, nacho gaiya (Dance girl, keep dancing girl)
Jhumeila
Jhumeila folk dance is performed during the harvest festival of Nanda Devi Jaat Yatra in Chamoli district. Large troupes of men and women dancers celebrate the bounty of nature.
Style
- Costumes with elaborate silver jewellery
- Accompanied by singing and playing of dhol-damau drums
- Dancers move around in circles with sticks in vibrant rhythmic steps
Conclusion to Folk Songs and Dances of Uttarakhand
Folk Songs and Dances of Uttarakhand : The folk heritage of Uttarakhand encapsulated in its songs and dances is an ode to the lives and beliefs of its simple mountain people. These folk arts bind together communities with their joie de vivre and spiritual resonance. The exuberant dances and heart-stirring melodies glorify the bountiful mountains, local deities, while romantic songs tug at heart strings. The folk arts of Uttarakhand have an unmatched rustic vitality and honesty that touches one deep within. They need to be preserved as a treasure that generations have cherished as the authentic sounds and colors of these timeless hills.
FAQs on Folk Songs and Dances of Uttarakhand :
What are some famous folk dances of Uttarakhand?
Some popular folk dances are Chanchari, Pandav Nritya, Barada Nati, Shotiya, Thali-Jadda, Jhumeila.
What musical instruments commonly accompany Uttarakhand’s folk songs and dances?
Instruments like dhol, damau, turri, ransingha, masakbhaja etc. are used alongside the folk arts.
What events or themes are the folk songs usually based on?
The folk songs capture local beliefs, rituals, seasons, daily life, love stories, valorous tales, and special occasions.
Which regions of Uttarakhand have a particularly thriving folk culture?
Garhwal region districts like Tehri, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Kumaon’s Almora, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh are rich in folk arts.
What is the Chanchari dance of Uttarakhand?
Chanchari is a festive, circular folk dance of Bageshwar district performed spontaneously by women on social events and religious occasions.
