Himachal Pradesh may be a wonderful tourist destination in India. Per annum, people from various corners of India come to Himachal Pradesh. This place is filled with natural beauty and natural glamour. If you once come to the present place, you’ll never like to leave it. This place is additionally famous for another thing and that is the beauty of the girls. You want to know that Himachalane girls are very beautiful and elegant. Another thing that Himachal Pradesh is renowned for is the traditional folk dance. The folk dance of Himachal Pradesh has its own beauty and flavor to attract people from corners of India.
Traditional Folk Dance of Himachal Pradesh
1. Nati – Folk Dance of Himachal Pradesh
Nati is one of the most famous dances in the land of hills. It’s believed that this dance originated in the Simaur district. This dance is of seven types and is performed during cultural occasions.
You’ll feel nice to know that Nati creates a world record by becoming the largest folk dance in the whole world. Plenty of people join this dance and try to relish it in the best possible way. This dance is additionally famous among a few other communities of Chandigarh and Uttarakhand.
2. Demon Dance – Folk Dance of Himachal Pradesh
Another popular dance in Himachal Pradesh is the Demon Dance. It’s also known as Chaambha or Rakshasa dance. The history of the dance dates to the past. This dance reflects the normal culture and lifestyle of the people. Both men and women often perform it.
They need to wear masks and hold each other’s hands during the dance. This dance group guided by a pacesetter who is known as Ghure. The dance shows how the demons attack the people and therefore the way God saves them from the attack.
3. Kayang Mala – Folk Dance of Himachal Pradesh
Kayang Mala is another dance of Himachal Pradesh that’s performed by holding each other’s hand and wearing a garland-like material. It appears to be colorful and nice. You’ll love to see the girls performing beautifully in this dance.
However, before performing this dance the performers need to drink Chaang the local drink of Himachal Pradesh. Within the present time, Kayang Mala is one of the most popular dances in Himachal Pradesh.
4. Shand & Shabu Dance – Dance of Himachal Pradesh
It’s performed in front of the monasteries to show respect and in the loving memory of Lord Buddha. This dance originated in the Spiti and Lahaul districts of the state.
Repeatedly, it’s also performed during the local harvesting period. During this dance drums and other instruments are played in the order that it becomes much more interesting. Nowadays people also use the violin to form the dance look attractive and good.
5. Cholamba Dance – Folk Dance of Himachal Pradesh
It’s one of the oldest dances in the state. Sources said that this dance existed an extended time back. It had performed during the British reign. This dance is additionally performed after killing the tiger. It’s a dance festival during which the skin of the animal is stuffed and decorated with gold ornaments.
Soon after this, the locals of the region perform the dance ahead of the dead animals. This is often performed with great pomp and show. You’ll feel nice to be a part of this dance and enjoy it to the fullest. For an extended period, this dance is one of the most amazing and oldest dances in Himachal Pradesh.
6. Keekali Dance – Folk Dance of Himachal Pradesh
It’s one of the most popular tribal dances of Himachal Pradesh. The tribals of this region mainly perform this dance on any special day. It’s found that if there is a marriage in their community the tribal people perform this dance.
It’s performed by both the male and female members of society. They dance with great pomp and show. The tribals are well-dressed during this era. They appear so well, The dance was found uniformly.
Folk Musical Instruments of Himachal Pradesh:
1. Nagara
The nagara or nagara may be a drum used in the Middle East. There are several sorts of naghara, which is the lead instrument in folk ceremonies and weddings. The naghara differs in size and goes by various names like “boyuk nagara” (big naghara), “cura nagara” (small naghara), “chilling naghara” (played with drumsticks), “Qoltuq nagara” (drum held under the arm), gosha naghara (Naqareh) and “el naghara” (hand naghara).
2. Dhol
Dhol can ask any one of several similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent. Its range of distribution in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan primarily include northern areas like the Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Kashmir, Sindh, Assam Valley, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Konkan, Goa, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The range stretches westward as far as eastern Afghanistan. A related instrument is a dholak or dholki.
3. Hudak
The Hudak & Udkka may be a percussion instrument used in Indian folk music. It’s a two-headed small drum. The tone of this instrument is often varied by pressing or releasing the strings, which tied between the 2 sides. This drum held within the armpit while playing it. The structure of this instrument however displays a superior work of artistry Bottom of Form.
4. Bansuri/Flute
The Hindu God Lord Krishna is traditionally considered a master of the bamboo flute. Two main sorts of Indian flutes are currently used; the first has six finger holes and one embouchure hole and is used predominantly in the Hindustani music of Northern India.
The second, the Venu/Pullan Guzhal, has eight finger holes and is played predominantly within the Carnatic music of Southern India; prior to this south Indian flute had only seven finger holes, with the fingering standard developed by haraba Shastri. This instrument is sort of popular among Gaddi tribes.
5. Shahnai
Shehnai/Mangal Vaidya, common in India made from wood with a metal flare bell at the top. It has between six and nine. It’s like south India’s ‘Nadaswaram’.
6. Grayand & Jhamang
These can hear in Lahaul Spiti.
7. Kangdum
It’s also known as Kangling. It’s made up of the thigh bone of a human being extracted from the corpse. Thigh bone decorated with silver and bronze. The thigh bone of a lady, who dies in pregnancy, is more valued because the instrument made of it is believed to produce a sound that is more effective for conjuring the benevolent spirits.
8. Sarangi
It’s a bowed, short necked string instrument from South Asia which’s utilized in Hindustani classical music. It’s said to resemble the sound of the human voice and is the most able to imitate vocal ornaments such as Gamaks and Meends carved from single block of tun, the sarangi features a box-like shape with three hollow chambers: Pet, Chhati and Magaj.
9. Manjira
It’s a traditional instrument of Bharata. It’s also known as Taal, Jalra, Khartal, or Gini made from bronze, Brass, copper, Zinc, or bell.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post. If you want to learn more about traditions, food, dancing, and other things in Himachal Pradesh, check out the Lallantop news videos on YouTube. They post a lot of festival videos and interviews with locals on their YouTube channel. And based on my research, you all enjoy the interviews Saurabh Dwivedi (journalist at Lallantop) does and the way he interacts with locals of Himachal Pradesh.