Chhapeli - Folk Dances of Kumaon

All over the world, in societies sophisticated or primitive, courtship dance portray in miniature, the customs of the people and country; it is not necessary that the couples participating in it be actual lovers though the initial cause was the pairing of, to increase the tribe. Danced by one couple or many, the female holds a mirror in her left hand and a coloured handkerchief in the other. The male has slung on his left shoulder a Hudukka, and playing on it, provides the rhythmic pattern for the drum. The mirror, the most interesting part, symbolises something vague or mysterious. The most popular form of singing and dancing, the Chhapeli, vying with each other in winning listeners to the group.

The tune is gay, bright and brisk, accompanying instruments are the Hurka, Manzira and Flute. The dance, a duet depicts the joys of love, beauty and romance. The woman partner (sometimes performed by a young boy), with a winsome smile on her face and graceful use of her waist, dances to the lines of the song, mostly in praise of her beauty and charm, sometimes mocking gently, her ways of making love. The song consists of solo chores and is sung by the Hurka players and their associates standing in a semi-circle behind the dancers.

Similar Pages - Other Folk Dance of Garhwal
Langvir Nritya | Barada Nati | Pandva Nritya | Shotiya Tribal Folk Dances

Folk Songs of Garhwal
Chhopati | Chounphula and Jhumeila | Basanti | Mangal | Jagars | Bajuband | Khuded | Chhura

Folk Dance of Kumaon
Ramola | Jagars | Chhapeli | Chancheri | Jhora | Choliya Dance | Thali, Jadda and Jhainta