Musical Arts of Uttarakhand (Dance & Drama)
Sangeet Kala (Nritya aur Natya)
The tradition of Sangeet Kala (Nritya and Natya) and folk dances in the state of Uttarakhand is extremely ancient and deeply rooted in the cultural life of the people. From religious rituals to social celebrations, these folk dances and dramas have been performed regularly—sometimes accompanied by folk songs and sometimes purely to the rhythm of traditional bajas (musical instruments).
Through these vibrant dance forms, emotions such as devotion, bravery, love, celebration, sacrifice, and patriotism have been expressed for centuries. In this article, we explore all major folk dances and dramatic traditions of Uttarakhand in detail, preserving their originality and cultural depth.
🩰 Major Folk Dances & Dramatic Forms of Uttarakhand
- Thadiya Dance
- Saro Dance
- Harul Dance
- Old Age Folk Dance
- Pandavarta Dance / Drama
- Mandana Dance
- Langvir Dance
- Chowfla Dance
- Tandinritya
- Jhumalo Dance
- Chanchari Dance
- Chopati Dance
- Ghughti Dance
- Bhel-Bhela Dance
- Sipaya Dance
- Battle Dance
- Pawada or Bhadi Dance
- Jagar Dance
- Lota Dance
- Jhoda Dance
- Barre Dance
- Bhanaul Dance
- Bagwal Dance
- Cholia Dance
🌸 Thadiya Dance
In the Garhwal region, from Basant Panchami to Bikhot (Vishuvat Sankranti), Thadiya songs are sung and danced by married women. The dance is performed in the Thad (aangan or chowk) of the house. Traditionally, this dance is performed by married daughters who visit their maternal home for the first time after marriage.
🥁 Saro Dance
Saro is a war-song dance of the Garhwal region, performed with powerful drum beats. In the first stage, drummers perform in pairs, and in the second stage, dancers move rhythmically to the drum beats. This dance is especially popular in Tehri and Uttarkashi.
The Pauna Nritya of the Bhotia group follows a similar style. Both dances are performed mainly during wedding celebrations.
🏹 Harul Dance
Harul Dance is performed by the Jaunsari group and is based on episodes from the life of the Pandavas. The use of a special instrument called Ramatula is compulsory in this dance.
👴 Old Age Folk Dance
This traditional dance is performed in Jaunsari society during public gatherings, marriages, and festive occasions. It reflects collective joy and social harmony.
🎭 Pandavarta Dance / Drama
Pandavarta is a nine-day-long dance-drama performed during Navratri in the Garhwal region. Based on the life events of the Pandavas, it includes nearly 20 different folk theatrical episodes, such as Chakravyuh, Kamal Vyuh, and Rhino–Unicorn Slaughter.
A unique collection of Pandavat songs, which can be sung continuously for over 1000 hours, exists in the Kedar Valley. The use of 32 rhythms of dhol and hundreds of vocal scripts makes this tradition unparalleled in India.
🕉️ Mandana Dance (Kedar Dance)
Mandana Dance is performed in Tehri and Uttarkashi during deity worship, god caste rituals, and weddings. It is performed in four rhythmic patterns, using every part of the body. Extreme concentration is required. The dance concludes with Chali or Bhor and is also known as Kedar Dance.
🤸 Langvir Dance
Langvir is a male acrobatic dance, where a dancer climbs to the top of a tall pillar and performs balancing movements while dancing to drum beats.
🌺 Chowfla Dance
Chowfla Dance is a group dance of men and women in the Garhwal region. It is believed that Goddess Parvati performed this dance to please Lord Shiva.
No instruments are used; instead, rhythm is created through hand clapping, foot beats, cymbals, bangles, and anklets.
Male dancers are called Chaufula, and female dancers are called Choflas.
Styles include Khada Chaumfla, Laludi Chaumphala, and Mayur Chaumphala. This dance belongs to the Bihu and Garba category.
🪘 Tandinritya
Performed in Uttarkashi and Jaunpur (Tehri) during joyful occasions and the month of Magh, this dance features songs composed on current events and notable personalities.
💃 Jhumalo Dance
Jhumalo is a singing-dance form of the Garhwal region, performed by newly married women. The dance expresses emotions linked with nature, nostalgia, and maiden memories.
🌕 Chanchari Dance
Chanchari is performed by men and women on moonlit nights of the Magh month. The lead singer dances while playing the hudki at the center of the circle.
In the Kumaon region, this dance is known as Jhoda.
💞 Chopati Dance
A dialogue-based joint dance of men and women in the Garhwal region, Chopati expresses themes of love and romance.
🐦 Ghughti Dance
Performed by small children and girls, Ghughti Dance is mainly for entertainment in the Garhwal region.
🪔 Bhel-Bhela Dance
This dance is performed in Garhwal on Deepawali, where a bhel (torch) is tied and carried during the performance.
🇮🇳 Sipaya Dance
Sipaya Dance reflects patriotism and bravery. It inspires the youth of Garhwal to join the Indian Army.
⚔️ Battle Dance (Devta Ghirana)
In Garhwal, martyrs are revered as deities. To bring peace to their souls, families perform the Battle Dance, also known as Devta Ghirana.
Prominent warrior spirits include Kafu Chauhan, Madho Singh Bhandari, Ketura Ranatoth, Bhanu Popela, and Kalu Bhandari.
🗡️ Pawada or Bhadi Dance
Performed in Garhwal and Kumaon, this dance narrates the stories of historical and legendary heroes. It is believed that the spirit of the hero enters a descendant called Paswa, who performs dangerous acrobatics with weapons during the dance.
🔔 Jagar Dance
Jagar Dance is based on mythological sagas of Nagraj Krishna, Pandavas, Bhairon, and Kali.
The Jagaria sings while holding a damaru and plate, and the Auji plays hudka and dhol-damame. The dance is performed by Paswa to please the deities.
🔥 Lota Dance
In this extraordinary dance, a series of pots (lota) is balanced on the head, with fire lit on top, showcasing immense skill.
🌙 Jhoda Dance
A graceful night-long dance of men and women in the Kumaon region, performed during Magh. The main center of this dance is Bageshwar.
🏆 Barre Dance
A song-singing competitive dance of the Kumaon region, performed both during the day and night.
🎪 Bhanaul Dance
Organized during fairs in Kumaon, this dance uses hudka and nagada as its main instruments.
🪨 Bagwal Dance
In this unique folk tradition of Kumaon, two groups throw stones at each other as part of a ritual.
🛡️ Cholia Dance
Cholia is a famous war dance of Kumaon, performed with sword and shield during weddings and religious ceremonies. It is similar to Saro and Pauna dances of Garhwal and is based on Nagraj, Narasimha, and Pandava Leelas.
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