Pandav Lila orPandav Nritya (Sanskrit; literally "play of the Pandavas" and "dance of thePandavas" respectively) is a ritual re-enactment of stories from the Hindu epicMahabharata, through singing, dancing and recitation, that is practised in theGarhwal region ofUttarakhand, India.[1][2] Pandavas are the five protagonists in the epic and the village amateurs take on their roles and perform thelila outdoors, accompanied by the folk instrumentsdhol,damau and two long trumpets calledbhankore.[3] The performances, which can last anywhere from three days to a month in different villages, draw large crowds and are an important cultural highlight of the year.[4] The ritualistic drama features actors who often spontaneously become "possessed" by the spirits of their characters and begin to dance.[5]
The origins of thePandav Lila are intermingled withHindu mythology . It has always been performed by village amateurs, and not professionals, and is usually sponsored by the Janman's (Kshatriya) Every village can have its own variation, and some may place a greater emphasis on singing or drama.[6] The performances begin at night and last till early mornings. The episodes from the epic are not necessarily performed in a linear order, as the intention is not to convey the epic's story but dance out or enact specific scenes that the artists or villagers are familiar with.[6] As the story progresses and the action intensifies, they begin to start earlier in the day and continue till morning next day. The most-awaited episode is often a battle between a father and a son,Arjuna and Nagarjuna, which is known by the namegainda (Hindi for rhinoceros), as it involves Arjuna killing the rhinoceros that belongs to his son.[4] The weapons used in the drama are worshipped and are never allowed to touch the ground, so they can retain their power, and are taken care of till the nextlila.[7] As it is practically impossible to enact the whole ofMahabharata, the longest epic poem in existence, the performers can choose their own episodes for enactment.[8]
