Uttarakhandi Culture

Uttarakhandi Culture

Culture & People

 Uttarakhand's diverse ethnicities have created a rich literary tradition in languages including Hindi, Kumaoni, Garhwali, Jaunsari, and Bhotiya. Many of its traditional tales originated in the form of lyrical ballads and chanted by itinerant singers and are now considered classics of Hindi literature. Ganga Prasad Vimal, Manohar Shyam Joshi, Shekhar Joshi, Shailesh Matiyani, Shivani, Mohan Upreti, andJnanpith awardee Sumitranandan Pant are some of the major literary figures from the region. Prominent philosopher and environmental activist Vandana Shiva is also from Uttarakhand.The dances of the region are connected to life and human existence and exhibit myriad human emotions. Langvir nritya is a dance form for males that resembles gymnastic movements. Barada nati folk dance is another famous dance of Dehradun, which is practised during some religious festivals. Other well-known dances include hurka baul, jhumeila, chaufula, and chholiya. Music is an integral part of the Uttarakhand culture. Popular types of folk songs include mangals, basanti, khuded and chhopati.These folk songs are played on instruments including dhol, damoun, turri, ransingha, dholki, daur, thali, bhankora, and masakbhaja. Music is also used as a medium through which the gods are invoked. Jaagar is a form of ghost worship in which the singer, or jagariya, sings a ballad of the gods, with allusions to great epics, like Mahabharat and Ramayana, that describe the adventures and exploits of the god being invoked. Narendra Singh Negi is a popular singer of the region.Architectural details of a Dharamshala, estb. 1822, HaridwarAbhisarika nayika, a painting by Mola RamAmong the prominent local crafts is wood carving, which appears most frequently in the ornately decorated temples of Uttarakhand. Intricately carved designs of floral patterns, deities, and geometrical motifs also decorate the doors, windows, ceilings, and walls of village houses. Beautifully worked paintings and murals are used to decorate both homes and temples. Pahari painting is a form of painting that flourished in the region between the 17th and 19th century. Mola Ram started the Garhwal Branch of the Kangra school of painting. Haripur Guler was famous as the cradle of Kangra paintings. Kumaoni art often is geometrical in nature, while Garhwali art is known for its closeness to nature. Other crafts of Uttarakhand include handcrafted gold jewellery, basketry from Garhwal, woollen shawls, scarves, and rugs. The latter are mainly produced by the Bhotias of northern Uttarakhand.The primary food of Uttarakhand is vegetables with wheat being a staple, although non-vegeterian food is also served. A distinctive characteristic of Uttarakhand cuisine is the sparing use of tomatoes, milk, and milk based products. Coarse grain with high fibre content is very common in Uttarakhand due to the harsh terrain. Other food items which are famous are madua (Buck wheat) in the interior regions of Kumaun. Generally, either pure ghee or mustard oil is used for the purpose of cooking food. Simple recipes are made interesting with the use of hash seeds as spice. Bal mithai is a popular fudge-like sweet. Other popular dishes include dubuk, chains, kaap, churkani, bhatt ki churdkani, sei, and gulgula. Jhoi/Jholi, a regional variation of kadhi, is also popular.

Bathing ghat on the Ganges during Kumbh Mela, 2010, HaridwarOne of the major Hindu pilgrimages, Kumbh Mela, takes place in Uttarakhand. Haridwar is one of the four places in India where this mela is organised. Haridwar most recently hosted the Purna Kumbha Mela from Makar Sankranti (14 January 2010) to Shakh Purnima Snan (28 April 2010). Hundreds of foreigners joined Indian pilgrims in the festival which is considered the largest religious gathering in the world.^[Kumauni Holi, in forms including Baithki Holi, Khari Holi and Mahila Holi, all of which start from Basant Panchmi, are festivals and musical affairs that can last almost a month. Ganga Dussehra,Vasant Panchami, Makar Sankranti, Ghee Sankranti, Khatarua, Bat Savitri, and Phool Dei are other major festivals. In addition, various fairs like Harela mela, Nanda Devi Mela take place.