The Musical Heritage of Kumaon
Kumauni folk music is one of the richest folk music traditions of the Himalayas. Rooted in the culture of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, it encompasses songs for every occasion — from agricultural festivals to weddings, from devotional rituals to romantic ballads sung by shepherds in high-altitude meadows.
Kumauni songs are sung in the Kumauni language — a branch of Central Pahari — with dialects varying from district to district. The music has a unique melodic character distinct from mainstream Bollywood and classical Indian music, shaped by the mountains, seasons and spiritual life of the hill people.
Major Forms of Kumauni Folk Music
1. Jhora (झोड़ा)
Jhora is perhaps the most popular form of Kumauni folk music — a vibrant group song-and-dance performed mainly during festivals and fairs. The word "jhora" means a chain or link — the dancers form a circular chain holding hands while singing in call-and-response patterns.
Jhora songs celebrate nature, love, the beauty of the hills, festivals and sometimes heroic tales. They are performed outdoors during events like Uttarayani (Makar Sankranti), Holi, and harvest festivals. The rhythm is infectious and it's common to see entire villages joining in.
Famous districts: Almora, Nainital, Champawat, Bageshwar
2. Chhopati (छोपाती)
A competitive folk music tradition — singers exchange improvised verses (antakshari-style) in alternating turns. Chhopati sessions can last hours, with each singer trying to outdo the other in wit, poetic imagery and vocal skill. This form is particularly popular in Almora and Bageshwar districts.
3. Hurkiya Bol (हुरकिया बोल)
Hurkiya Bol is a work song sung during agricultural activities — especially paddy transplantation in summer. A solo singer (usually a woman) leads and others respond in chorus while planting rice saplings. The Huraki drum accompanies the singing. These songs describe the farmer's relationship with the land, water, seasons and deities.
Seasonal association: June–July (Paddy transplanting season)
4. Baithki Geet (बैठकी गीत)
Literally "sitting songs" — Baithki Geet are performed in an intimate setting by singers seated in a circle. These are more contemplative, often devotional songs sung in the evenings at community gatherings. They draw from classical ragas but with a distinctly Kumauni character.
5. Chanchri
A group folk dance-song performed exclusively by women, especially during the Harela festival. The songs celebrate Mother Earth, the harvest, and the blessing of rain. Chanchri is an important part of the Harela festival of Kumaon.
6. Mangal (मंगल)
Sacred songs sung during marriage ceremonies and auspicious occasions. Mangal songs are usually sung by women of the bride or groom's family and invoke blessings from the gods. They are specific to each stage of the wedding — welcoming the groom's party, the pheras (circumambulation) and departure of the bride.
7. Nyoli (न्योली)
Nyoli are spontaneous, plaintive folk songs — often sung solo by women calling out to absent lovers, husbands working in distant cities, or expressing longing for home. Nyoli is typically sung in the mountains and fields, improvised freely, with a hauntingly beautiful melodic quality that resonates with the echoing Himalayan landscape.
Traditional Kumauni Instruments
| Instrument | Type | Used In |
|---|---|---|
| Huraki (हुरकी) | Percussion (small hourglass drum) | Hurkiya Bol, Jagar, folk songs |
| Dhol | Percussion (large cylindrical drum) | Festivals, Chholiya dance |
| Damau | Percussion (kettle drum) | Always paired with Dhol, temples |
| Ransingha | Wind (curved metal horn) | Processions, temple ceremonies |
| Turhi | Wind (straight horn) | Auspicious occasions, fairs |
| Muruli | Wind (flute) | Pastoral songs, herding |
| Ektara | String (single-string) | Baithki Geet, devotional songs |
Famous Kumauni Folk Singers
- Gopal Babu Goswami — Pioneer of modern Kumauni music, legendary singer from Almora
- Mohan Upreti — Composer and singer who popularised Kumauni music nationally
- Shanti Devi — Classical Kumauni singer renowned for Baithki Geet
- Lalit Mohan Joshi — Contemporary singer bridging traditional and modern Kumauni music
- Meena Rana — Popular female singer known for wedding and festival songs
- Pritam Bhartwan — Modern Kumauni singer keeping traditions alive for younger audiences
Jagar – The Shamanic Music of Kumaon
Jagar is one of the most unique and powerful musical traditions of both Kumaon and Garhwal. It is a ritual invocation — a shaman (Jagaria) chants and drums through the night, invoking specific deities or ancestral spirits to enter the body of a medium (Dangaria). The Huraki drum is the primary instrument.
Jagar performances can last the entire night and are deeply spiritual events attended by the entire community. They are performed to seek healing, divine guidance, or resolution of community problems. This living tradition is unique to the Himalayan culture of Uttarakhand.
Where to Experience Kumauni Folk Music
- Uttarayani Fair, Bageshwar: January — the largest fair in Kumaon with extensive folk music and Jhora dancing
- Nanda Devi Fair, Almora: September — traditional music and dance around the Nanda Devi temple
- Harela Festival: July — Kumauni cultural programs across all districts
- Kausani Cultural Programs: Regular folk music evenings organised by local groups
- Almora Tamta Craft Village: Artisan villages where traditional music is part of daily life