Folk Music and Dance of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand music has irreplaceable wisdom of inflection that enhances the beauty of the state. The music here is a combination of poetic quality and the music of the Kumaon and Garhwal region varies from each other.
A mix of folk tradition, native songs as well as folk songs go together with the numerous musical tools which in turn augments the ancient music of the state. The music has stayed standard amongst every visitor.
History of Folk Dances Uttarakhand
The folk dances of Uttarakhand are deep rooted in its history. As per old belief that the art of dancing is indebted to its stimulus to the captivating imaginary dancing female who lodge on snow hills hence described as Paries, Kecharisand Ancheris. Some believed that they are the souls of young girls who died and no funeral ceremonies were performed.
In addition, it was believed that the young girls are the daughters of Ravana who offered them to lord shiva as hand maidens. An additional tradition honors them as a portion of the lore and civilizations of Krishna and representing them as gopies.
Types of Folk Dances and Songs of Uttarakhand
1. Choliya Dance
The Choliya dance invents in the Kumaon region of the state. No women will take part in this dance because it is a dance of warriors. Choliya as an art form is a confluence of music and performance that is over a thousand years old. This dance is specifically from the kumaun district in Uttarakhand.
Normally Rajputs performed this dance at the marriages. This dance is performed by male rajputs with swords and shields the drummers are usually Harijans called Dholies, while the Turi and Ransing are played by Bairagis, Jogis or Gosains. The Dancers showed various swords fighting moment.
The dresses of the male is the costumes worn by the fighters while fighting along with the beats of war like music and create a situation like war.
Dress code: Costumes worn by the fighters while fighting (male)
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2.Barada Natidance
In Dehradun district the Barada Nati folk dance is one of the most beautiful dance of the Chakrata Tehsil. This beautiful dance is performed on the occasion of some religion festival. Both male and female perform this dance together. The dress code of this popular dance is colourful traditional costume.
Dress code: Colourful Traditional dance (male and female)
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3. Jagars Dance
Jaggar is described as the voice of God. Jagar is a ritual through which the tribe from the Kumaon and Garhwal region seek out to the local gods and deities to seek justice for some cases. Jaggar is a class of spiritual devotion in the form of a folk song.
Jaggar likewise be in the practice of Puja folk songs and are chanted in respect of the numerous gods and goddesses.
Dress code: Colourful Traditional dance (male and female)
4. Jhora Dance
It is a community dance in the state. Men and women both performed in holding each other's arms and marginally twisting their bodies onward as they interchange in the circle. It is performed either in the morning or evening mostly danced at the approaching of spring.
It is usually performed in the fairs, festivals and to celebrate weddings. The men and women performers start singing the very first beat ofHurka.
Dress code: Colourful Traditional dance (male and female)
5. Langvir Nritya Dance
This dance is well-known in the Garhwal region in the state. This is an energetic dance and is done by the men only. During the dance, a long bamboo pole is fixed. The male dancer climbs to the topmost of this pole and then the sense of balance is maintained on his stomach.
Under the pole, a band of musical group composes music with the help of 'Dhol' and 'Damana' and the dancer swaps on the uppermost of the stick, carrying out other deeds with the help of his hands and feet.
Dress code: Colourful Traditional dance (male)
6. Chhapeli Dance
This is a group of dance which includes couple performance and during performing, a female Chhapeli carries a mirror in her Left hand and a colourful handkerchief in the right hand. The male will in general play a Hudukka with the assistance of his left shoulder joined by others playing the Hurka, Manjira and Flute. This dance is a symbol of love, care and romance.
As per the saying, the couples who perform the Chhapeli dance planned to make stronger their relationship while dancing with colourful clothing and instruments in hand. This dance is a way to express love by couples for each other.
Dress code: Long flowing skirt as well as a blue or green coloured full-sleeve jacket with decorative jewellery(female)
7. Chancheri Dance
In Bageshwar district there is group dance performed by the men and women in a semicircle with gradually increasing pace putting across unbridled joy. The female dancers danced in the semicircle and male will perform in rest of the circle. Love and inspirational music is played in this group dance.
Dress code: Colourful Traditional dance (male and female)
