Kumaon
A Place That Has It All.
About Kumaon Kumaon is considered to be one of the most culturally rich regions in India. From traditional attire like Pichhaura to dance forms like Chholiya dance, from art form like Aipan to religious beliefs and rituals; Kumaon has it all. And, so are the people of the hills; simple and helpful. Kumaoni people are considered to be very helpful and supportive of the tourists who visit the hills. They guide and support the travellers selflessly. They welcome the tourists to stay with them, offer food and bedding, guide them for their travel journey, about weather conditions, local food availability and so much more. It’s completely a different experience when you live with people who have an optimistic approach towards life and little expectations and desires. Following is a list of some Kumaoni musical instruments, theatre, dance forms, food items, jewellery, craft form and places of Kumaon. It is just a peak into the world of Kumaon’s rich culture and traditions.
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AIPAN ART
Design elements used are from the traditional artform of Kumaon that is Aipan, It is made with raw ochre (Geru) colour and rice paste. It is mostly women who paint the designs on the floors and walls of their homes using the last three fingers of the right hand. The walls, pieces and papers of the cloth are meticulously decorated by various geometric and other figures belonging to gods, goddesses and other objects of nature. There are many types of Aipan, and Dupattas and Pichhauras are also carefully decorated by women.
lakshmi feet design traditionally done in aipan style. Aipan choki is made by using the traditional patterns of mostly straignt lines and triangles.
Triangle and straight lines are common in aipan (artform of Kumaon).
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MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Dhol This is a drum in which a wooden or brass hollow is covered with leather at both ends. At one end it is beaten with a stick while the other end is patted with the palm. It is generally played in Barats, Navratris and religious processions.
Damama This consists of two leathered brass cones one somewhat bigger and the other small in size. The bigger one is called Daindama’ while the smaller one is called ‘Baundamu’. Both produce different sound when beaten with sticks known as ‘Lakur.’
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MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Mushak Been or Bagpipe This well-known Scottish instrument was introduced in Uttarakhand by the British army some 200 years back around the Anglo-Gorkha was of 1814-15. Now it is an inseparable part of folk music and dance.
Binai This is a small instrument made of iron. It is played by pressing it between the teeth and tapping one of its arms to produce a poignant hum. vibration is produced on pressing both ends of the tweezers between the teeth and moving the fingers on in the thin strip of iron.
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MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Dafli Daf, also called Dafli, is a handheld bass producing device, which can be thought of similar to drum or tabla. There is not much learning involved unlike other musical instruments.
Damru A damaru or damru is a small two-headed drum, with a wooden string ball. Damru is, it gives one beat at a time, the chords at both ends strike at the same time, and how many times you play it, it gives same beat every-time.
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MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Ranasingha The ranasingha is a type of primitive trumpet made of copper or copper alloys, used in both India and Nepal. The instrument is made of two metal curves, joined together to form an "S" shape.
Turturi or turhi This trumpet-like organ is found in two forms. One is quite long and curved in shape while the other resembles a snake in its coiled form. It is made of brass or copper and its blowing is generally accompanied with the beating of the Damama.
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DANCE FORMS & THEATRE
Choliya dance Choliya dance is a folk dance practiced in the Kumaon region. It is basically a sword dance. The entire team consists of 22 people, eight of which are dancers, and 14 musicians. They perform this dance form with sword and shield in pairs. Wonderfully harmonized, and marked with turns and jumps of the body, the dancers show several sword-fighting feats.
Jhora Jhora is one of the famous folk dances of Kumaon region. This is a dance form that is performed in the evening and morning. It is mainly danced during the spring season. Men and women together move in a circle, holding each others arms and bending their bodies slightly as they move.
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DANCE FORMS & THEATRE
Hilljata Hilljata festival is considered completely related to agriculture. During the festival, a white-clothed deer is worshipped as a regional god. The festivity takes place in three phase, and in the first phase sacrifice of goat is made with all the rituals, whereas in the second phase, dramas are performed for public with the mask on and in the third and final phase, songs are sung and dance is performed.
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CUISINE
Bal mithai and Singori Bal mithai originated in the Kumaon region. It is made by cooking khoya (evaporated milk cream) with cane sugar until it becomes dark brown in color. This is allowed to settle and cool, and cut into cubes which are then coated with small white balls made of sugar coated roasted poppy seeds. Singori is prepared using sugar, malo and coconut leaves. This sweet is prepared during the seasonal celebrations and is distributed among the people. It can be prepared with grated coconut and Malo leaves, nuts, sugar and milk.
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FRUIT
Kafal Kafal is a very popular fruit of hilly region of uttarakhand. It grows on trees and the average tree sizes are smaller than mangoes. You can think the size of a kafal almost similar to almond. The completely ripen kafal has dark red or blackish color and it tastes taste sour and sweet. The half ripen has pinkish color and taste sour and sweet. Kumaon region is mainly known for this fruit. Ranikhet, Almora and Nainital districts are well known for kafal. In local kumaon language this fruit is called ‘kaafo’.
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ACCESSORIES
Nathuli Nathuli or Nath is the charm of Pahari women which is hailed for its elegant style. The weight and number of pearls inserted in a nath indicate the status of the family of the bride. Tehri Nath celebrated for its artistic design is one of the most distinguished ornaments which is worn at the time of important family functions.
Galobandh Galabandh is one of the prominent jewellery of Kumaoni culture. The Galobandh as the name suggests is tied around the neck and is only worn by the married women. The uniqueness of Galobandh is that it is designed on a red belt, on which the golden square shaped jewellery pieces are beautifully arranged with the help of a thread.
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ARCHITECTURE
Wooden craft carving Kumaon region is quite famous for its architectural style as well as sculptural beauty of its temples. The wood carving tradition of Kumaon is an integral part of the hill society and is also known as Likhai. The carving is found on the dwellings primarily in the form of folk, religious and tantric motifs. Tantric art forms an important part of the Kumaon region. The carving is done in the form of stylized plants and geometrical motifs into a single window and door. The borders of the door sometimes have up to 14 rows of carvings- swans, parrots, lotus, creepers etc. The panels are carved separately and joined together after the carving is done.
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EXPERIENCE
Camping Kumaon is the perfect backdrop to experience various activities such as hiking, trekking, camping, birdwatching, wildlife safari and adventure sports like paragliding. Blessed with incredible natural beauty, picturesque landscapes, rich flora fauna and biodiversity, snow clad mountains and a vibrant culture, Kumaon has something to offer. Ranikhet is among the most popular tourist places of Kumaon. Ranikhet is aptly named the Queen of Meadows as this magnificent hill station is a paradise for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts. The landscapes are blessed with a lush forest cover, colorful flowers, pine trees, and spectacular views for a quiet and peaceful getaway.
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EXPERIENCE
Architecture The old houses/temples/narulas of Kumaon have stone walls, mud floors, slate roofs and patangans (courtyards of gray stone) and their doors, windows and Kholis (main entrance to the house) have intricate figures of Ganesh and other Gods - Goddesses and blue colour. The wood carver or carpenter never forgets to make closed nestles for birds. The temples, which have been constructed over a period of about a thousand years, follow a local style known as the 'Himadri' style of architecture.
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EXPERIENCE
Bike rides Kumaon region has one of the scenic mountain bike tracks in India, with huge terrace fields across the lush mountains. Apart from pilgrimage places, there are various beautiful places that are must watch if you are travelling to Uttarakhand and can be best explored through mountain biking. Wild board, Baring deer and Leopards can be commonly found across Kumaon. Also, you can enjoy the overwhelming views of snow-capped mountain peaks. If you love biking and want to take this dare, then avail our Mountain Bike Tours in Kumaon and join us today.
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EXPERIENCE
Jim Corbett National Park It is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. The first national park in India, it was established in 1936 during the British Raj. The park was the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative. The Corbett is home to the most valued wildlife in India. Apart from the Bengal Tigers and Elephants, the wildlife in the Corbett includes Himalayan Palm Civet, Indian Gray Mongoose, Common Otter, Blacknaped Hare and Porcupine. Besides the huge herds of Asian elephants, one can also find the two types of crocodiles - Gharial and Mugger - on the muddy banks of Ramganga River. The leopards are generally seen in the hilly terrains of the National Park.
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EXPERIENCE
Nanda Devi temple This temple is about 1000 years old. Most important attraction in Almora. It is dedicated to Goddess Nanda Devi. She is believed to be the destroyer of evil. Local people told that there are many temples of Nanda Devi in Kumaon hills and even in Nepal dedicated to goddess Parvati as she is daughter of Himalayas. Located at the middle Bazar in the Heritage city of Uttarakhand Almora. The temple attracts thousands of visitors every year.
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Kumaon
Rs. 40
For further information visit http://kumaon.gov.in/