Folk Dances of Himachal Pradesh | Himachal General Knowledge | UP EXAM GURU
In this Folk Dances of Himachal Pradesh article we are going to share all the folk dance forms performed in Himachal Pradesh district wise. this article is also important in the point of view of competitive examinations. so if you interested in this topic Folk Dances Performed in Himachal Pradesh stay continued reading.
Folk Dances Performed in Himachal Pradesh:
The Folk Dances are performed during Celebrations like - marriages, birth of child, fairs, festivals, harvest, worshiping of the local deity are all occasions for rejoicing - a time when the remarkable lot of the hill folk dances are take time off from their ardors labors to dance, sing and make merry. The hill folk have long tradition of preserving their dance forms and rich cultural traditions. People are Celebrating all important part of their lives. The lit of a ballad fills the air and skirts swing to the rhythm of the music.
The Naati is most popular dance form of the Kullu, Shimla, Mandi, sirmour and Chamba districts and dance is performed well by the native of Himachal of all age groups. The dancers are attire in the full splendor of their traditional ornaments and costumes. They make a crescent form by linking hands crossed on the back of each other. The accompanying musical instruments generally consists of dhols (barren shaped drums), karnals(long trumpet)and shehnai, nagaras (Bowl shaped drums).
2. Karthi
Karthi dance form is mainly performed in Kullu district. Karthi is a post - harvest dance performed in the open, in the light of an autumn moon. In it both men and women find an occasion for relaxation and rejoining after the autumnal harvest. Dressed in gay clothes they assemble in an open field to dance and sing. Knotting their arms, the dancers forms a circle and begin their movements slowly and gracefully. Soon when the tempo rises and the dance reaches its climax, the women dancers provoke their male partners furthers to dance more energetically.
3. Dharvedi and Droondo
Dharvedi and Droondo dance form is also performed in Kullu district. Dharvedi and Droondu are religious dances arranged during jagaras of shants. In these, scenes from the battlefield or temple and stupa shapes are presented. Dancing in circular paths and suddenly falling down on the ground and striking various poses are the major features of these dances. These are danced with great fervor. These dances can be seen during the Dusshera season in Kullu.
Languages Spoken in Himachal Pradesh
4. Kharait, Ujagjama and Chadhgebrikar
Kharait, Ujagjama and Chadhgebrikar dance form can be performed in Kullu district. Kharait, Ujagjama and Chadhgebrikar are strategic dances of men. These are danced with swords and heralds, sometimes in a circle in a fast tempo.
5. Dhili Pheti and Bashari
Dhili Pheti and Bashari dance form also performed in Kullu district. Dhili Pheti and Bashari, performed in village melas(fairs), are pure joyous events where both men and women participate.
6. Gee Dance
Gee Dance dance from is performed in Sirmour district. The Gee dance of Sirmaur is performed during the festival of Lohari.
7. Rasa Dance
The Rasa dance is performed in Sirmour district, has a carefully thought out pattern and lasts for a long time. The Rasa dance is symbol of the unity in the people of Himachal Pradesh.
8. Burah Dance
Burah dance form usually performed by a group of ten to fifteen people. Burah Dance form is mainly performed in Sirmaur district of Himachal Prdesh.
9. Jhoori
Jhoori dance form is performed in Sirmour district. Jhoori is danced in the open. In this form of dance the people of Himachal Pradesh are questions and answers delivered in musical tones. Each line finished with Hoo Hoo sounds.
10. Swang Tegi
Swang Tegi dance is also performed in Sirmour district. Swang dance is Performed during the festival of Deepavali with the dancers wearing tiger masks carved out of wood.
11. Dhadair or Thadair
Dhadair or Thadair dance is also performed in Sirmour district. In this the dancers hold aloft weapon like bows, arrows, knives or sticks and yell too as they move towards their imaginary adversaries. This song repeat scenes from the local history.
Tribes of Himachal Pradesh
12. Shunto
Shunto dance form is performed in Lahaul-Spiti district. The Shunto is danced by men to a song in praise of Buddha.
13. Demon (Rakshasa) dance or Chhambha
Demon (Rakshasa) dance or Chhambha dance can performed in Lahaul-Spiti district. Chhamba' is too similar with the Punjabi dance Bhangra. It is a splendid dance performed by the Lamas, in the Buddhist monasteries during religious and other festivals, as a part of the celebrations. The dance is well known for the elaborate of mask, headgear and costume for the participants and is very popular in Tibetan settlement areas of Himachal Pradesh, such as Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Ladakh.
14. Chhanak Chhaam
Chhanak Chhaam dance form is performed in Lahaul-Spiti district. Lamas of Lahaul-Spiti area perform this spiritual dance once in every three years, on the occasion of Chhakhar festival, as a tribute to god Buddha. 'Chhanak' is the typical caps wear by the dancers.
15. Lahauli Dance
As cleared from name Lahauli Dance is mainly performed in Lahaul-Spiti district. Lahauli dance is performed on the tunes of the musical instruments of Surna and Damman (i.e. most famous in Ladakh area). the steps are simple but graceful. For instance, dancers move in a circular pattern after interlocking their hands.
16. Shand and shabu dances
Shand and shabu dances forms also performed in Lahaul-Spiti district. Shand and Shabu dances are two most popular dances of the people of Lahaul valley and are danced at the Buddist Tribes in the memory of the Lord Buddha. Shan means a song of worship for the Lord Buddha. Dances danced to these songs are known as Shand dances. this form of dance is performed at the time of the harvesting of crops completion. The musical instrument played in this dance form are shehnai, violin and drums also. A similar dance known as Shabbo is performed at the time of festivals. It describe the feelings and beliefs of the people in Lahaul-Spiti.
17. Lang-dar-ma
Lang-dar-ma dance from is also performed in Lahual-Spiti district. This is a well known masked dance lasting several hours. It depicts the murder of the evil king Lang-Dar-Ma.
18. Chohara Dance
Chohara Dance can performed in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. This dance form is performed in all famous festivals in Shimla District of Himachal. This dance is done by men and women also.
19. Dodra Kawar Dance
Dodra Kawar Dance is perfromed in Shimla district. The dance Dodra Kawar mainly revolves around agriculture.
20. Losar Shona Chuksam
Losar Shona Chuksam dance is perfromed in Kinnaur district. Losar refers to the New Year of the natives of Tibbat. The dance also includes innovative pieces like mime.
21. Namagen
Namagen dance form is performed in Kinnaur district. Namagen dance is performed to celebrate the autumnal hue in the month of September. The danceers themselves sing while musicians play the instruments. The dancing steps & rhythm of Namagen dance is wonderfully mixed together. The role of Drum plays an important part in Namagen dance form.
22. Kayang
Kayang dance form is perfomed in Kinnaur district. In this dance men and women form a semi-circle with a musician in the centre.
23. Bakayang
Bakayang dance is performed in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. In this dance mostly performed by women, there are two or three rows of dancers facing each other and dance in both forward and backward steps.
24. Banyangchu
Banyangchu dance is performed in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. This dance generally performed by men only is a free style dance on any selected tune.
25. Jatru Kayang
Jatru Kayang dance is performed in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Jatru Kayang generally performed at festivals, is a group dance and is connected with the songs sung at
the ceremonial moments.
Lakes of Himachal Pradesh
26. Japro Dance
Japro dance is performed in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. This dance is performed by both men and women on the occasion of fairs and festivals.
27. Kayang Mala (Garland) dance
Kayang Mala (Garland) dance is performed in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The Kayang Mala dance is very famous in Himachal.
28. Dalshone and Cholamba
Dalshone and Cholamba dances are performed in Kinnaur district.
29. Dangi
Dangi dance is performed in Chamba distict.
30. Sikri
Sikri dance is performed in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. Sikri, a women's dance, is performed during the Suhi Fair held in spring.
31. Nuala
Nuala dance form is performed in Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh. Nuala folk dance is mainly performed in Chamba valley.
32. Dandras Dance
Dandras Dance dance from is performed in Chamba district. Dandras dance form is performed by the men of 'Gaddi' tribe (a traditional dance form) i.e. the nomadic shepherd tribe belonging to the Bharmaur area of the Chamba district.
33. Jhanjar Dance
Jhanjar Dance form is performed in Chamba district. Jhanjar dance is performed by both men and women on every festive occasions. The beginning is very slow, but gradually rises to an exciting climax.
34. Thoda Dance
Thoda Dance is performed in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. Thoda is a dance form of archery. The performance and the quick movements seem to simulate the incidents seems during a real battle.
35. Keekali
Keekali dance form is performed in Kangra, Hamirpur and Una disticts, The Keekali (kikli) dance is a dance of young girls and is danced playfully in tows. The girls hold their hands crosswise and rotate fast on their toes by singing folk songs.
36. Bhangra
Bhangra is mainly performed in Kangra, Hamirpur and Una district of Himachal Pradesh. Bhangra basically a dance form of Punjab State that is most famous among Punjabi's. The Bhangra is a male dance which mainly originated in Punjab State and it is also famous in the Una, Kangra andHamirpur areas of Himachal Pradesh.
Fairs and Festivals of Himachal Pradesh
37. Ghooghati
Ghooghati dance is performed in Una, Kangra and Hamirpur districts. Ghughati dance is essentially a dance of youngsters. In it the dancer stands in a line and the one behind puts his hand on the shoulders of the one in front of him.
38. Khaydayat and Lamba dances
Khaydayat and Lamba dances are performed in Una, Kangra and Hamirpur districts. The Lamba dance lays more stress on the feet movements. In this the dancers with first movement put the right foot forward and then the left and then the right again and in the fourth movement revert back to their original position. At the same time they clap their hands. It is a vigorous dance.
Download Complete Explained Details File For Folk Dances of Himachal Pradesh - Click Here
Note: For Latest Exams News, Govt. Exams, HPPSC, HPSSSB, HPSEB, Entrance Exams, Bank Exams, G.K., Current Affairs, Himachal G.K., Himachal Jobs, Admit Cards, Admissions, MCQs Questionnaires etc. For more Latest information visit our website anytime anywhere at https://www.himachalpariksha.in or you can directly e-mail us at support@himachalpariksha.in for any kind of inquiry.
