Chholiya

Understand

Where Chholiya comes from

Chholiya is the warrior-dance of the Kumaoni Rajput community of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, performed by men of the Rajput families at weddings and at the regional festivals. The dance is associated with the Kumaoni martial heritage and with the warrior-commander history of the Chand Rajas of Kumaon (the historical ruling dynasty). The form is recognised as the traditional dance of the Kumaoni people and is regularly performed at the state cultural festivals and at the wedding of the Rajput families of the region. The Chholiya dance is closely related to the broader Kumaoni folk tradition of the Kumaon and is part of the cultural identity of the state.

How it's practiced

Chholiya is performed by groups of men in the courtyard of the wedding or the open ground of the village. The men dance in coordinated formations with the sword (the talwar) and the shield (the phari), with the dance incorporating mock-combat sequences, the salute of the chief and the victory celebration. Music is the dhol, the shehnai and the dholak of the regional ensemble. The dance is energetic and features the characteristic Kumaoni rhythm and the marching steps of the warrior culture. Costume is the Kumaoni Rajput traditional dress — the dhoti, the kurta and the colourful Kumaoni cap (the bushy cap of the Rajput of the hills). Performances are at the wedding of the Rajput and at the regional festival.