India is a country with a rich heritage. With diverse cultures and traditions, there are stories and histories in almost every nook and corner of this country. We bring you a glimpse of one such culture and tradition of a beautiful hill station called Dalhousie.
The visuals of snow-covered mountains, green landscapes, and beautiful sunsets flash in mind when we talk about Dalhousie. Located in the Chamba district, Dalhousie is one of the most popular hill stations for summer holidaymakers, offering a host of luxurious lodging options like homestays and cottages in Dalhousie.
The mountain town is also known for its rich cultural beliefs and traditions that are deeply rooted in its history. Since ancient times, fine arts, especially folk dances, have been considered popular among generations. This, in turn, has been a strong support to keep the soul of the place and its traditions alive.
Standing true to this belief, Dalhousie has various dance forms that are beautiful, engaging, and entertaining. These folk dances follow different customs and are performed by men or women.
So, here we bring you some of the cultural stories that are the main part of the lives of the people of Dalhousie – Himachal Pradesh.
WOMEN’S FOLK DANCES
1. Charasay – Tarasay
Charasay – Tarasay is known as the summer dance as it is majorly performed in March and April. It is a traditional dance form performed exclusively by married women. The locals call this dance Birshu-Nirshu.
Songs with no instrument sounds are used for the dances. These dances eventually happen in the late evening or early hours of the morning as this is regarded as the best moment when outside noise won’t interfere with the music.
2. Lalharhi
Quite opposite to the Tarasay, Lalharhi is a dance form performed by the unmarried to get married. In other words, this dance is performed by would-be brides at marriages and fairs. However, just like Tarasay, this dance also is performed on songs with no instrumental sound.
The uniqueness of this group dance is that all the dancers form two rows that are facing each other. One row starts performing by singing the song and moves towards the other group. Once the first row is back in its position, the other row does the same movement.
3. Kahika Dance
Dalhousie houses some amazing fairs throughout the year. Kahika is one such important fair that is celebrated with grandeur. The dance form performed at this fair is known as Kahika. It has its roots in the religious beliefs of the local people. According to them, spiritual energy makes a man (Naruh) present in the fair unconscious. The wife of that Naruh dances herself out in front of the local deity’s palanquin to get back her husband.
Through the dance, the woman threatens the deity that she will take everything the deity owns if her husband does not regain consciousness.
Complementing the women, there are men’s folk dances too.
These male folk dances usually demand bright outfits matched with unique accessories. Also, the majority of these dances have religious significance. Here are some of the Dalhousie-famous male folk dancing styles.
MEN’S FOLK DANCES
1. Bandhu or Ghost Dance
The name by now must have given a fair idea of what the dance could be, isn’t it? So, here is Bandhu, a dance exclusively performed by men for men. In other words, no woman is allowed to witness it as the dance style and songs are coarse. The ancient traditions of Dalhousie say that this dance is performed by the men in front of the temple in the wee hours like the morning 4 am-6 am. The men performing the dance lit the campfire in front of the temple and danced to ward off the evil spirit.
This form of dance is performed in the month of January by the localities of Dalhousie.
2. Horn Dance
Performed on a chilly winter night in January, the folk tale behind this dance depicts that long back, there lived an evil king with whom everyone was fed up. The pupil decided to kill the evil king in the mid of a dance performance. When the king looked enchanted by the dance, one of the dancers cut his throat. Marking this story and the moral of victory, this dance is performed by 6 dancers; wherein one of the dancers is dressed as a woman and two others are dressed as deer, covering themselves with a shawl along with horns.
This dance form is most popular among tourists and visitors. Tourists especially come from all around the world to Dalhousie to witness this dance form.
3. Dev Khel and Hulki Dance
Just like the Kahika dance, Hulki dance is also a dance rooted in religious belief. The old traditions of the town say that the man (Gur) who is dancing enters into a state of trance behind which the procession of the local deity’s palanquin follows.
Just like folk tales, the dance forms are quite interesting and mesmerizing. It is an experience to watch them live. Therefore, a lot of documentary filmmakers, artists, and fine arts enthusiasts from different parts of the world visit Dalhousie to catch the performers in real action.
Top Cottages and Homestays in Dalhousie
Dalhousie’s cultural events, customs, and folk dances are best experienced when you visit the town, especially during the festive seasons. For a truly memorable getaway, you must book the best cottages in Dalhousie that will give you a sense of being far from the city’s hectic pace yet close enough to enjoy the divine cultures that Dalhousie has to offer.
Find the best cottages in Dalhousie to add some royal charm to your stay in Dalhousie:
1. Elgin Hall Homestay
2. Sunny View Cottage
3. Anand Bhavan Cottage
4. Chobhyal Cottage
5. Aamod Cottage
6. Dalhousie Retreat
Read more: 9 Amazing Dalhousie Tour Places That You Must Visit
Conclusion
Having read all the way to the end of the blog, you must have acquired a lot of new information about Dalhousie’s folk dances and cultures. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your luggage, select the coziest cottage from those available in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, and discover the rich culture and folk dances of Dalhousie.