Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 5 Nov: On the fifth day of the Uttarakhand State Foundation Day celebrations, it seemed as if the Himalayan folk culture itself descended onto the stage. In the first session, folk artists from Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Tibet, Himachal Pradesh, and Manipur presented mesmerizing performances.
The program began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by former Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat. He was accompanied by Madhu Bhatt, Chairperson of the Uttarakhand Culture and Literature Art Council; Pradeep Joshi, Additional Secretary, Culture Department; and Ashish Kumar, Deputy Director, Directorate of Culture. The chief guest honored all guest artists with shawls and mementos.
Pandav and Mask Dances Energize the Stage
The event opened with a powerful performance by the artists of Jāgari Sanskritik Kala Manch, Ghat (Chamoli), who arrived on stage with dhol-damau, mashakbeen, and bhankore instruments. Their rhythmic drumming, Jāgar singing, and dramatic portrayal of the Pandavas enthralled the audience. Following this, the troupe performed the traditional Mask Dance, whose rhythm and pace infused new life into the event. The group’s leader, Harish Lal, along with his team, displayed remarkable skill in dhol playing.
Ladakh’s Culture Charms the Audience
The Jobra Dance from Ladakh — a high-altitude region on India’s northern frontier — was a special attraction. This dance depicted the yak, an essential part of Ladakhi life, and delighted the spectators. The Jobra Dance is a traditional folk dance of Ladakh, performed especially during harvest season. Villagers, both men and women, wear traditional attire and dance together to express gratitude to nature and local deities for a good harvest. The dance features slow, rhythmic movements accompanied by local instruments like drums and surnai.
Good Luck Dance by Tibetan Students
Students of the Tibet Home Foundation, Rajpur (Dehradun), presented the Good Luck Dance, which depicts the spiritual journey of the 14th Dalai Lama. This traditional Tibetan folk dance, also known as the Good Fortune Dance, is performed on auspicious occasions such as the Losar (Tibetan New Year), harvest festivals, or the beginning of new ventures.
Student Saurabh introduced the performance, explaining that dancers wear colorful traditional costumes and dance in circles to the beats of drums, cymbals, and trumpets. Often, masks and religious symbols are used to ward off evil spirits and invite good fortune.
Manipur’s Basant Raslila Mesmerizes the Audience
A troupe led by senior Manipuri artist Mrs. Dhanarani Devi presented the Basant Raslila — the spring festival dance depicting the divine Holi of Lord Krishna, Radha, and the Gopis. This dance, a cherished heritage of Manipuri folk culture, captivated the audience with its graceful expressions and vibrant costumes.
Play Highlights the Message of Environmental Conservation
In the second session, a play directed by Dr Ahsan Bakhsh from the National School of Drama was staged. The performers were artists trained by Dr Bakhsh during a five-day workshop.
The play tells the story of a boy born with horns in a village of the Kumaon region. Shocked and embarrassed, the village head (Pradhan) orders his servant to kill the child. Years later, the boy, having survived and grown up educated, returns to the village and works for environmental conservation. When the Pradhan tries to shoot him, the servant reveals that the boy is actually his son, whom he had spared and left in the forest.
The play delivers a powerful message against corruption and environmental neglect. The audience praised the actors’ disciplined and emotional performances.
Himalayan Beauty Captured in Photo Gallery
A photo exhibition by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council was also organized on the theme “Cultural Heritage and Natural Landscapes of Uttarakhand.”
The gallery showcased breathtaking photographs of the Uttarakhand Himalayas — its temples, lifestyle, wildlife, fairs, and festivals. The exhibition featured works by renowned photographers such as Anoop Shah, Umesh Gonga, Rahul Guha, Satish H., Deep Rajwar, and several others.
