The culture of Uttarakhand incorporates different traditions and customs. People of Uttarakhand is simple and has faith in their traditions varied according to the regions they live in. Dance is always performed to express happiness whether on the arrival of spring, at fares, in weddings and at different occasions and functions. It is said, “The things done purely by heart reaches to God directly”, and dance is an act which connects us with God. It is the way to say thanks to the almighty for showering his blessings. Folk dances of Uttarakhand depict the story behind the particular dance form. Here, we are making you aware of the different dance forms of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and how are they keeping their traditions alive even in this era where everyone is influenced by western Culture.
Choliya dance
It is a sword dance and has an antiquity(history) of more than 1000 years. this dance is quite popular and enacted in Uttrakhand wedding processions. It has its origin in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and relates to the martial traditions of Kumaon people. Male dancers carry equipment like swords and shields which pair with instruments like Ransing, Turi, Dhol, Damau, and Masakbeen.
Thali, Jadda and Jainta
Thali is a graceful dance form performed by women of Kumaon region in Uttrakhand weddings. They have to balance a metal plate on their head through the dance while taking spins. Jadda and Jainta are another traditional dance forms enacted by men and women of Kumaon region. Both men and women come together, forms a circle and whirl and sings folk songs during the act.
Jhora
Jhora is a community dance which is performed by both males and females at fairs, on the arrival of spring and now at the weddings. Hurka, an instrument is mostly used in this dance form. men and women form a circle by joining hands and bends forward as the music follows spreading the moment of happiness among others.
Chancheri folk dance
Chancheri is famous in the Danpurpatti of Bhageshwar district, lying north near the Pindari glacier. It resembles with Jhora dance form and danced happily by people of Kumaon’s region. The tune and pitch of the song are slower than that in Jhora and performed in a circle by men and women.
Ramola dance
Both men and women welcome the spring season with great joy and happiness releasing all the tension and perform Ramola folk dance in Kumaon district. During Holi festival, everyone comes together, sings and dances on various classical, semi classical folk songs to the tune of harmonium, dholak, tabla, and manzira lasting the festivity for more than a month.
Chappeli
Among other folk dances, Chappeli is different folk dance which symbolizes romance. in this form, women hold a mirror in her left hand and a handkerchief in the right hand while dancing where as men slings a Hudukka on his left shoulder, giving rhythm to the drum. it’s not necessary for a couple to be lovers but the reason behind this dance form is to strengthen the bonding between the couple.
Uttrakhand has known for its richness in culture, and hence dance forms are also a part of their rich culture along with the music. As it is said that happiness is incomplete till you don’t express it and dance is a medium where everyone beautifully conveys their emotion to the beloved and to God for everything.It is an appearance of the spirit where you’re too busy to enjoy your every single move.