So you think you can dance? Ever tried shaking your legs, hands, quite literally your whole body to a pahari nati, the world’s largest folk dance? No! Well, it is about time. The time to get versed with the effervescent song & danCe style of the majestic 'Devbhoomi' Himachal Pradesh (H.P). So make no excuse, drink up some juice & put on your dancing shoes, as you’re about to witness the strength of the desified r&b danCe music!
If there’s a song or dancE style that brings an extreme sense of euphoria, ecstasy & equilibrium, it is the Pahaari naati, the traditional song & dancE rage of H.P. You might throw your hands up in the air like you just don’t care on the latest hip hop beats, Punjabi grooves & electric Bollywood tunes but wait till the DJ drop some ecstatic hair raising naatis. You won’t loose your mind but you’re going to find it & release Endorphins, Oxytocins, Serotinins, Dopamines, hell every god dam happy chemical known to the World Psychiatric Association! Oh yeah, it’s not just a dancE of us mortals, infact it’s so powerful that even the local Gods are believed to let loose on this divine dancE!
It was in the year 2015, when 9,892 women dAncers collectively created a World record in Kullu, H.P. Although, local peeps have been rousingly dancing to the beats of natis from ages now, but on October 26, 2015 they decided to let the world know about this spectacular party. And the world approved, stood up & joined in this vibrant Pahaari hustle.
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Okay, so I have used the word ‘Pahari’ a bunch of times now & some of you must be wondering what does it mean! Well, the word ‘Pahar’ means ‘Mountains’ in Hindi, as well as in the local Himachali dialect. Thus, ‘Pahaari’ refers to the simple, sweet & extremely kind people of the incredibly beautiful State of H.P. Nevertheless, the gracefully blissful ‘Naati’ perfectly blends in with the spirit of the local Pahaaris.
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| Biswarup Ganguly, Folk Dance - Opening Ceremony - Wiki Conference India - CGC - Mohali 2016-08-05 6565, CC BY 3.0 |
So, why did the locals even began swinging to the beats of Nati? Well, apart from expressing their happiness & to basically ‘just get down tonight’ kinds, a strong desire to celebrate the New year & laud the rich reap of the harvest inspired them to break into a naati. And they did, swayed to the rhythm & beats brought upon by classically funky instruments like the Dhol (drums), Shehnai, Cymbals, Nagara, Karnal & the Ranasinga (similar to a trombone). Especially the Shehnai, which not only pumps the rhythm to the beats but it leaves one in a state of trance.
The moment one hears the sound of naati, pahari senses gets triggered. Hence, they plunge into the groove of the song, form a quick circle with family, friends & bring the house down with elegantly languid moves of the popular State dancE. Be it a wedding, religious event, house/ outdoor party, function/festival in a school/college or any random high spirited gathering, a loud but a soul stirring naati music will fill your ears with scores of aficionados vibing to the slow but propelling beats of these exhilarating bangers! It’s like, if there’s a joyous gathering of people in the Devbhoomi, they’re gonna bounce to naatis.
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| Biswarup Ganguly, Folk Dance - Opening Ceremony - Wiki Conference India - CGC - Mohali 2016-08-05 6571, CC BY 3.0 |
Furthermore, you might feel a bit amazed to know that this slow but uplifting song & dancE sequences of the naati ain't confined to just one basic style. Nosirr, it varies from area to area across the magical State. Luckily you can even shake a leg or 2, to every style with your bae & ignite the spark of passion & intimacy! However, if you feel cursed in the lovey-dovey dept & you don't have a bae then it's time to rejoice now! Break that curse & find your bae on How To Find Love In Himachal!
Following are the different types of naatis sung & dAnced on with zeal & fervor in the Devbhoomi:
- Lahauli.
- Kinnauri.
- Kullu.
- Gaddi.
- Mahasuvi.
- Sirmouri.
Yessirr, there are 6 essential types of goosebumps inducing natis, sung & dAnced on by the fortune favored paharis of H.P. And every type has one of a kind instrument, costumes & ornaments to go with it, making it look real appealing, elegant & captivating. Oh yeah, it’s an engaging treat for them eyes!
Kinnauri Naati:
So you love to hop,skip & jump on the beats of Bhangra? Well wait till they unleash Kinnauri naatis, the Bhangra on brakes & watch yourself get lit on the mime-like 13 variations of tempo minus any vocals with soft knee dips being the stunning feature in this nonchalant traditional madness! Yaasss it has such close relation to the local breathtaking nature, that every mesmeric move represents the slow streaming scintillating rivers, gentleness of the mountain breeze and the rhythmic swinging trees. 4 to 8 lively musicians accompany the procession & the rhapsodic music they dish out represents the sound of the breeze sweeping the forests.
Moreover, these are not just random moves but it represents the joy & jubilance earned after a rich harvest. As such, every move illustrate each activity involved in sowing and reaping of ‘ogla’ (barley) and ‘phapar’ (local grain) crops. It’s like a dancE of angels & fairies on a farmland in paradise!
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| Biswarup Ganguly, Folk Dance - Opening Ceremony - Wiki Conference India - CGC - Mohali 2016-08-05 6589, CC BY 3.0 |
‘Losar Shona Chuksom’ is the local name for this danceE of the Kinnaura community. ‘Losar’ pertains to the new year which falls during May-June for the Kinnauris. The dancE without a doubt gives an awe-inspiring look to the gaiety and has now become an essential segment of fairs & festivals celebrated across the magnificent State.
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| Biswarup Ganguly, Folk Dance - Opening Ceremony - Wiki Conference India - CGC - Mohali 2016-08-05 6568, CC BY 3.0 |
Moving on with the razzmatazz, adding further panache & grandiose are the costumes & accessories. Men sport churidars, chola (top coat) with pyjamas ,socks/shoes & the all so famous Pahaari topis (traditional caps). While women are adorned in tight churidar pyajamas, Ghagra (skirt), Lacchi, Gacchi, floral shawls & the Boomani. Accessorised with silver chains, heavy armlets, gold and silver ornaments around the necks called as Tunki & Chanki. Also, both genders hold decorated fans & fancy handkerchiefs in either hands & clap as they swing to this exhilarant music. All in all its a ritzy, exquisite & a celebrated affair.
In the end, you must know that the Pahari Nati: The World's Largest Folk Dance is not just a mere dancE, it's a deep raging emotion that exist inside every Himachali residing not just within the State but through out the world. Yep, so the next time you're in the breathtaking sceneries of H.P, don't forget to live this fire of an emotion. And later back home, if people ask you "Hey do you know joy? What is joy?" Tell'em,"Yeah I know joy, it's Naati. Naati is joy. Pure joy;-)
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