Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 3 Nov: On the third day of the Uttarakhand State Foundation Day celebrations, “Ninaad-2025”, audiences witnessed a vibrant display of the folk traditions of the Himalayan states. From Tibet to the far northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, artists enthralled the audience with their traditional performances, reflecting the unity and diversity of Himalayan culture.
The programme commenced with lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Dehradun Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal and Chairperson of the Uttarakhand Sahitya and Kala Parishad, Madhu Bhatt. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Director of the Directorate of Culture, Ashish Kumar, along with a large gathering of art lovers, students, and local residents.
Jaunsari Harul Dance Mesmerised Audience
The famous Harul dance from Uttarakhand’s Jaunsar-Bawar region offered a unique glimpse into the state’s folk heritage. Folk artist Laiykaram and his troupe captivated the audience with their rhythmic movements and traditional tunes as they performed with the customary parat (metal plate). The Harul songs draw inspiration from heroic tales, love stories, and historical legends, and are generally performed during traditional festivals like Maroj and Bissu. After the performance, the artists were felicitated by Deputy Director Ashish Kumar.
Colours of Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh
Showcasing the rich diversity of Himalayan culture, artists from the Tibet Institute of Performing Arts, Dharamshala, presented the traditional “Snow Lion” and “Nagri Mabja” folk dances. Similarly, performers from the Adi and Galo tribes of Arunachal Pradesh enchanted the audience with their folk songs and dances. Their traditional costumes and ornaments were a major attraction. Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal honoured the guest performers with shawls and mementos.
Panel Discussion: Folk Language and Culture of Uttarakhand
In the second session, a panel discussion was organised on the theme “Folk Language and Culture of Uttarakhand”. The discussion featured Prof Dev Singh Pokhriya, Dr Nand Kishore Hatwal, Lokesh Navani, and Dr Nandlal Bharti. The speakers reflected deeply on the current status of Uttarakhand’s folk languages, emphasising the need for their preservation and promotion.
The panel appreciated the inclusion of local dialects in school education under the New Education Policy (NEP) and stressed the importance of standardisation, curriculum development, and digital dissemination of these languages.
Ninaad-2025: A Cultural Journey of Heritage and Harmony
Under the banner of Ninaad-2025, this cultural journey continues to spread the message of preserving folk traditions, music, dance, and language. Each day of the celebration unveils a new facet of the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand and the Himalayan region.
