If we want to know the culture of any state or nation, then the festivals celebrated on different occasions in that state and the dance styles there make us aware of the culture and history of that particular region.
Major Dances of Uttarakhand
We can divide the major dance styles of Uttarakhand into two parts for convenience.
- Major Dances of Kumaon
- Major Dances of Garhwal
Major Dances of Kumaon
Jhoda Dance
The word Jhoda is derived from the Hindi word Joda. It is a group dance in which this dance is performed on the occasion of marriage or other occasions. There are mainly two forms of this dance in vogue.
- Free Jhoda (Muktak Jhoda – मुक्तक झोड़ा)
- Managerial Jhoda (प्रबंधात्मक झोड़ा)
This dance is performed by placing hands on each other’s shoulders forming a circular circle. In Jhoda dance, the lead singer dances while playing the hudki in the middle of the circle. The song sung in Jhoda dance is called Jhoda Geet. In Garhwal it is called Chanchari Dance.
Dhuska Dance
This dance is performed in Munsiyari (Pithoragarh) and Johar Valley of Kumaon. It is a dance form of Chanchari and Jhoda dance form.
Cholia Dance
- Cholia dance is a fighting style dance, Cholia dance represents the celebration after victory in battle.
- In this dance, all the dancers wear the costumes of mythological soldiers, perform battle with swords and shields.
- Folk instruments Dhol-Damau, Ransinga, Trumpet and Mashqbeen are used in this dance.
- In Garhwal this dance is called ‘Sarron Nritya (सर्रों नृत्य)‘.
Bhagnol Dance
- Bhagnol dance is performed on the occasion of fairs in Kumaon region.
- Instruments like Hudka and Nagada are prominent in this dance.
Mask Dance
- Mask dance is performed on the occasion of Hiljatra in Saur valley of Pithoragarh district in Kumaon.
- In this, the acting of Lakhia Bhoot is the main center of attraction.
- Mask dance (मुखौटा नृत्य) is also known as Swang Dance (स्वांग नृत्य).
Hiran Chital Dance (Deer Chital Dance)
- In Kumaon, the Hiranchital dance is performed in the Askot belt of Pithoragarh on the occasion of the Aatun (आठूँ) festival.
- Mukhota dance is organized in this dance
Bair Dance
- This dance is performed on the occasion of fairs in Kumaon region.
- In which this dance is organized in the form of competition.
Bagwal Dance
- It is a famous dance of Kumaon region.
- In which people divided into two parts throw stones at each other.
Danyala Dance
Chauphuli Dance
Major Dances of Garhwal
Sarron Dance
- Sarron dance is a battle-style dance, which is performed to the beat of the dhol.
- This dance is mainly prevalent in Uttarkashi and Tehri districts of Garhwal region.
- In this dance, the dancers dance with sword and shield.
Pauna Dance
- The ‘Pauna dance’ is called the Sarron dance in the Bhotia tribe.
- This dance form in Kumaon is called ‘Chholiya dance’.
Thadiya Dance
- The word ‘Thad’ in Thadiya means Aangan i.e. Thadiya dance is said to be a festival of music and dance held in the courtyard of the house.
- This dance is performed from Basant Panchami to Bikhoti (Vishuat) Sankranti when married girls come to their maternal home for the first time.
- Thadiya song is sung in this dance.
Harul Dance
- Harul dance is a major dance performed by the Jaunsari tribe.
- In this dance an instrument called Ranasingha (Ramatula) is played.
- Due to the existence of Pandavas in Jaunsar region, this dance is organized.
Lang (लांग / लांगविर) Dance
- This dance is a Nata dance performed by men. In this, men balance on the top of a bamboo stick and dance to the beat of drums and drums.
Chaufala Dance
- The literal meaning of chaufala is – Flowers Blooming all around.
- It is a makeup-oriented dance in which men and women dance together in groups or as separate teams and move around in circles.
- This dance is performed without any musical instruments.
- In this dance, the song Chaufala is sung collectively, in which the male dancers are called Chaufula (चौफुला) and the female dancers are called Chaufulo (चौफुलों).
- Chaufala dance is considered to be a dance of Bihu and Garba category.
Tandi Dance
- In Uttarkashi of Garhwal region and Jaunpur region of Tehri district, Tandi dance is performed on happy occasions throughout the month of Magh.
- In this dance, everyone holds each other’s hands and dances in a series.
- The songs sung along with this dance are based on social events, especially these songs refer to immediate events and actions of famous persons.
Jhumailo Dance
- Jhumailo is a collective dance, performed throughout the night in the month of Diwali and Kartik without musical instruments.
- In a way, this dance expresses the pain and love of this woman’s heart. This dance is performed by newly married women upon their arrival at their maternal home.
Chanchari Dance
- Chanchari is a Sanskrit word which means a song dedicated to the dance rhythm.
- This dance is a form of Danpur region in Kumaon, which is considered to be an ancient form of Jhode.
- In Kumaon this dance is called ‘Jhoda’ dance.
- It is a makeup oriented dance performed by men and women.
- This dance is performed by playing the Hudki instrument.
- The song sung in Chanchari dance is Chanchari dance song.
Chhopati Dance
- The Chhopati dance is performed exclusively in the Rawain Jaunpur region. it’s a makeup style dance
- Chhopati songs are sung in the Chhopti dance.
Ghughuti Dance
- In the Garhwal region, there is a dance performed by small boys and girls for entertainment.
Bhailo Bhailo Dance
- Bhailo Bhailo dance is a dance performed on the occasion of Deepawali. This dance is performed on the day of Diwali by lighting a pine spear.
Rann Bhoot (Battle) Dance
- In the Rann Bhoo (battlefield), the brave heroes are worshiped like gods and this dance is performed for the peace of the souls of those heroes.
- This dance is also known as ‘Devta Ghirana (देवता घिराना)’.
Pandavart or Pandava Dance
- This dance is related to the lives of five Pandavas in the Mahabharata.
- In this, the Pandava dance is mainly organized in the places where the Pandavas had left their weapons.
Sipaiya Dance
- Held in the Garhwal region, this dance is imbued with the feeling of patriotism.
Other Major Dances of Uttarakhand
Pavada or Bhando Dance
- The historical tales of heroes in Kumaon and Garhwal region are presented through this dance.
- It is believed that in this dance, the soul enters the descendants of the heroes, the person whose soul enters the body is called Paswa.
Jagar Dance
- This dance is also performed by Paswa (in whose body the soul enters) in Kumaon and Garhwal region.
- This dance based on mythology is performed by Paswa with the beat of Hudka or Dhol to please Krishna, Pandavas, Bhairon, Kali etc.
- The knower of Jagar songs in this is called Jagarya.
Nati Dance
- It is a traditional dance performed in Chakrata Tehsil of Dehradun district. Because Jaunsar region is associated with Himachal Pradesh, due to which the dance style here is also very similar to Himachal.
- In this dance, men and women wear colorful clothes and perform this dance.
Hantya (Ashant Aatma (Turbulent Soul) Dance)
- In this dance the Karun song Ranso is sung for the peace of the departed soul, and this dance is performed on the beat of Damru and Thali.
- There are six types of Hantya Dance – Charyabhuta dance, Hantya Bhoot dance, Vyral dance, Said dance, Ghat dance and Dalya Bhoot dance.
Mandan
- Mandan dance is the most popular of the ancient folk dances of Uttarakhand.
- Mandan dance is performed by lighting a fire in the middle of the village’s open ground (barn) or square on the occasion of marriage or religious rituals.
- In this dance, deities are invoked on the tunes of traditional instruments like Dhol-Damau, Ransinga, Bhankor etc.
- Most of the songs sung in this dance are based on episodes from the Mahabharata period. Apart from this, songs based on folk tales are also sung. In a way, it is a form of Pandava dance.
| Read Also : |
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| Uttarakhand Study Material in Hindi Language (हिंदी भाषा में) | Click Here |
| Uttarakhand Study Material in English Language |
Click Here |
| Uttarakhand Study Material One Liner in Hindi Language |
Click Here |
| Uttarakhand UKPSC Previous Year Exam Paper | Click Here |
| Uttarakhand UKSSSC Previous Year Exam Paper | Click Here |
| MCQ in English Language | Click Here |