Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 2 Nov: The second morning of Ninad 2025 resonated with the regional melodies of the Himalayas at the Himalaya Sanskriti Kendra, here, today. The event began with a vibrant performance by Puran Bora’s troupe from Almora, featuring the traditional Hudka beats and Chholiya dance. The open-air theatre stage was formally inaugurated by Deputy Director Ashish Kumar, who lit the ceremonial lamp. Following this, Ila Pant and her team from Nrityangan Sansthan, Dehradun, presented a soulful dance drama “Gangavataran”, beautifully depicting the spiritual significance of the Ganga and the Himalayas, filling the atmosphere with devotion and cultural pride.
Khoda Dance from Himachal Pradesh
The first performance of the day came from Gopal Singh’s troupe from Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh. They began with the Saathi Panasai dance, symbolising the warriors and supporters of the Kauravas and Pandavas, using bows and arrows as props. This was followed by the traditional Khoda dance, in which female performers balanced pots and lit lamps on their heads, while male artists showcased skilful feats by spinning metal plates (parat). The audience applauded enthusiastically. The group, affiliated with the National Cultural Arts Centre, Patiala, has represented India several times both nationally and internationally.
Lakhiya Bhut Brings Blessings
Next, the Pithoragarh-based Pahari Cultural and Literary Art Committee performed the folk drama Hilljatra and Lakhiyabhut, which brought the festival to life. Originating from Kumod village in Pithoragarh, Hilljatra is a dance associated with the paddy transplantation season— “Hill” meaning wet and “Jatra” meaning journey. The character of Lakhiyabhut, a companion of Lord Shiva, drew everyone’s attention with his unique dance. Through his performance, Lakhiyabhut blessed the people with happiness and prosperity.
Painters Showcase Their Artistry
The festival also marked the beginning of the National Art Workshop under the theme “Divya Himalaya” on Sunday. Artists from Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand showcased the scenic beauty, folk dances, and songs of the Himalayas through their colors and brushstrokes. Eminent artists such as Akram Khan, KS Gill, Dharmendra Sharma, Dr OP Mishra, Santosh Sahni, Zakir Hussain, and Prof Shekhar Joshi displayed their creative excellence. Workshop convenor Dr Mamta Singh stated that, in the Silver Jubilee year, the Ninad Himalaya Sanskriti Mahotsav has become a powerful platform for cultural exchange among Himalayan states. Artists from across regions are participating enthusiastically.
Prior to the workshop, Culture Secretary Yugal Kishore Pant felicitated all the guest artists.
Panel Discussion – “Cinema in Uttarakhand”
Along with cultural presentations, Ninad 2025 also emphasised intellectual engagement. In the second session of the day, a panel discussion was held on the theme “Cinema in Uttarakhand”. The discussion featured noted Uttarakhand-born film artist Hemant Pandey, senior journalist Satish Sharma, and Bollywood film director Bhuvan Tamta.
The session explored the current state and future of Uttarakhand’s film industry. Speakers noted that although some quality films were made earlier, lack of infrastructure and resources hindered growth. Now, with the government actively promoting cinema, there is renewed hope for the rise of meaningful Uttarakhandi cinema. The discussion also examined the reasons behind the limited progress of local cinema and emphasised the need for developing film infrastructure and grassroots-level training in acting and filmmaking.
