Top 5 Folk Dance From Uttarakhand, India

1.Pandav Nritya

The Pandav Nritya tells the ecstatic story of the five Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata. It is mostly carried out in Uttrakhand's Garhwal region. It is a dance-drama creation that lasts 10 to 12 days. It focuses on the real tale and deeds of the five Pandava brothers. It is an annual festival held from November to February each year. These are representations of Indian culture and tradition. 

2. Bhotiya Dance

The Bhotiyas are Uttarakhand's traditional tribe. Many men and women perform this dance, which emphasises the Bhotiya community's ancient culture and civilization. It is similar to a community-performed death ritual. Traditional beliefs hold that a deceased person's soul stays in a goat or sheep. The Bhotiya dance frees the animal's departed soul. This dance is performed by every person in the community in order to free the soul of a deceased person. 

3. Choliya Dance

The Choliya dance is carried out primarily in Uttarakhand's Kumaon region. It is popular in the Kumaon district of Almora, Pithoragarh, and Champavat. The Sword Dance is another term for it. It describes the Kumaoni tribe of Uttrakhand's traditional martial art practise. It is a thousand-year-old dance form that is carried out mainly at Rajput weddings and gatherings. Many dancing props and safety tools, such as swords and shields, are included in the dance equipment. Dhol and drums are two other types of equipment. Other important pieces of instruments include regional ones like Turi and Ransing. Choliya dance involves mock fights and circular and angular movement of parts of the body.

4. Jhora Dance

It is a renowned dance in Kumaon. This dance form brings collectively both the upper and lower classes. People dance in groups, regardless of their community. Men and women form a circle, holding the other person's arms and dancing gracefully. People perform Jhora dance at weddings, fairs, and even the arrival of the spring season.

5. Mukhota Dance

According to the Hindu calendar, the Mukhota dance is carried out in the month of Vaishakha. The Mukhota dance honours the God Bhumitayal. Mukhota dance performances are common at fairs during the month of Vaishakha. It is a type of dance in which people wear traditional costumes and masks illustrating their deities and evil demons.