 Chholiya dancers | |
| Genre | Folk Dance |
|---|---|
| Origin | Indian Subcontinent (India andNepal) |
Chholiya (Kumaoni) orHudkeli (Nepali) is a traditional folk dance form originated in theKumaon division of theIndian state ofUttarakhand andSudurpashchim province of Nepal.[1] It has today become a symbol of Kumaoni and Sudurpashchimi (mainly inDoti,Baitadi andDarchula districts) cultures. It is basically asword dance accompanying a marriage procession but now it is performed on many auspicious occasions.[2]
It is especially popular in the districts ofAlmora,Bageshwar,Champawat andPithoragarh of Kumaon division and inDoti,Baitadi andDarchula district of Nepal. This sword dance has a history of more than a thousand years and is rooted in the martial traditions of theKumaoni people andKhas people.
Dating back over a thousand years, the dance has its origins in the warring Kshatriyas of Kumaon- theKhasas andKatyuris when marriages were performed at the point of the swords.
The nativeKshatriyas were united by theChand Kings who arrived on the scene in the 10th century. The flux of immigrantsRajputs who made native kshatriyas a small minority also took on the hill customs and influenced Pahari culture with their traditions and language. The days of marriages on the point of the sword were over, but the traditions attached to it still continued.
That is why the groom is still known asKunwar or King in Kumaon. He rides a horse in the marriage procession and wears aKhukri in his belt.[3]
Apart from its origins in the martial traditions of the people of Kumaon, it also has religious significance. This art form is mainly performed by the Rajput community in their marriage processions.[4] Chholiya is performed in marriages and is believed to be auspicious as it provides protection from evil spirits and demons. Marriage processions were believed to be vulnerable to such spirits who target peoples happiness. It was a common belief that demons followed a marriage procession orBaryat/Barat to bewitch the newly married and performance of Chholiya could prevent this.
Theturi (तुरी),nagphani (नागफनी) andransing (रणसिंघ) belonging to thebrass instrument family are traditional instruments of theKumaon division, were earlier used in battles to increase the morale of the troops, are used.
Percussion instruments likedhol (ढोल),damau (दमाऊ) which are also native to Kumaun are played by professional musicians known asdholies.
Masakbeen (मसकबीन) orBagpipe introduced by theBritish in Kumaun as instruments played in marching bands were assimilated into the wide range of instruments played.
Woodwind instruments like thenausuriya muruli (नौसुरिया मुरूली) (lit. the nine note flute) a kind of flute andjyonya (ज्योंया) (lit. twin flute) a type of double flute native to Kumaun is also played.[5]
Donning the traditional Kumauni attire whitechuridar payajama, thetaanka on their heads, thechola, face covered with sandal wood paste as if ready for battle equipped withtulwar swords and brass shields. Their costume resembles the costume of the ancient martial warriors that inhabited Kumaun.[6]
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Accompanied by war-like music, equipped with swords they dance in a perfectly synchronized manner while engaging in mock fights with their fellow dancers.
Carrying the triangular red flag the "nishana" (निसाण), (banners), waving their swords, with fiery expressions on the faces they give the impression of warriors going to battle.
There are 22 men in a full team of Chholiya dancers 8 of them are the sword dancers and the rest 14 are musicians.
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The following are the forms of Chholiya popular all over Kumaun which differ in movements