The northern Indian state of Uttarakhand is renowned for its unique folk dances, which are an essential component of the regional celebrations, religious rites, and festivities. Uttarakhand is rich in cultural legacy. Here are a few well-known Folk Dances of Uttarakhand.
 Kumauni Dance
The term “Kumauni dance” describes the traditional dance styles that come from Uttarakhand, India’s Kumaon area. This area, which is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and rich cultural legacy, celebrates a variety of holidays and events with distinctive dances and music. Here are a few well-known Kumauni dance styles.
1. Chholiya Dance:
Chholiya, the most well-known Kumauni dance, is a traditional sword dance that is done at the weddings and other significant events. Its history extends over a millennium into the past. Male dancers do the dance to the accompaniment of traditional instruments such as the turhi (a wind instrument) and the dhol and damau (types of drums).
2. Jhora:
In the Kumaon region, this circle dance is especially well-liked, particularly at fairs and community celebrations. It is normally carried out in the spring. Holding hands, the participants form a circle and move in simple, rhythmic steps to the group’s playing or singing of folk music. The songs topics typically center on societal issues, the natural world, and the seasons.
3. Chhapeli:
Chhapeli is a captivating folk dance from Kumaon that showcases a couple dancing together, frequently portraying romantic scenarios involving a man and a woman. A humorous element is added to the performance when the male dancer engages in conversation with his female companion while holding a mirror.
4. Hurka Baul:
This dance, which is performed during the cultivation season, takes its name from the Hurka drum, which is played along with other instruments like dhol and damau. Storytelling is a part of the dance, and it frequently centers on historical or legendary occurrences. While others portray the plot through planned movements, the lead dancer tells the story.
Garhwali Dance
The Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India, is the origin of ancient dances known as Garhwali dance styles. The Garhwali people execute these dances at social events, religious ceremonies, and festivals as an essential element of their cultural identity. The following are a few well-known Garhwali dancing styles.
1. Barada Nati:
One of the most well-known folk dances in Garhwal, it is frequently performed during significant religious events. The dance is distinguished by the dancers’ traditional attire and rhythmic motions. Usually, there are a number of male and female formations involved.
2. Langvir Nirtya:
An extremely complex dance that is primarily done by guys. A dancer balances on a pole, usually made of bamboo, and executes a variety of aerial stunts and body rotations in a breathtaking exhibition. This dance, which is usually done during religious festivals, is quite a sight since it displays the performers’ strength and agility.
3. Pandav Nirtya:
This kind of dance focuses on the actions and life of the Pandavas and is based on the epic Mahabharata story. This theatrical dance style is frequently seen in communities during religious occasions or yearly festivals as a dance-drama.
4. Thadiya / Thadya Dance:
This dance is typically performed by men during the rural Garhwal community festivities. The dancers wearing traditional Garhwali attire enhances the visual attraction of their dynamic steps and moves.
5. Chhopati Dance:
Men and women perform this dancing style, which features rhythmic clapping. It combines singing along with the clapping and dancing, creating a lively atmosphere, and is typically observed during local fairs and festivals.
6. Jagar:
Jagar is a ritual performance that involves calling upon the spirits of deities or ancestors through songs and music, inducing a trance-like state in participants—despite not being a dance form in the traditional sense. In the both Kumaun and Garhwal region, it is a kind of communal prayer and spiritual healing.
