Performing Art · Himachal Pradesh

Parik

परीक

The folk-dance-drama tradition of Himachal Pradesh — performed by men of the community at the regional festivals, narrating the legends of the local gods and goddesses through song, dance and dramatic characterisations.

Understand

Where Parik comes from

Parik is the folk-dance-drama tradition of Himachal Pradesh, performed by men of the community at the regional festivals and at the Jatars. The form is associated with the regional legends of the Pahari gods and goddesses (particularly the legends of Parashurama, of the Mahasu devta of the Kullu region, and of the regional hero-deities). The Parik has been documented as one of the regional variants of the broader North Indian folk-drama tradition. The form is performed at the central courtyard of the village or at the regional festival of the community.

How it's practiced

Parik is performed by troupes of men at the courtyard of the regional temple or at the central village ground of the festival. The men act out the central characters (the god, the heroine, the villain) in coordinated dance-and-drama sequences. Music is the dhol, the shehnai, the small regional horn and the brass cymbals. Costume is the regional Pahari dress with the masks and the props of the regional legend. Performances run for several hours at the festival of the community.

From discovery to practice

The Journey

Understand

Where Parik comes from, why it started, and what it means today.

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Practice

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Explore further

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Kayangकायांग

The women's folk-dance of the Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur regions of Himachal Pradesh — performed at the Buddhist festivals and at the harvest, with the women's small dance steps and the regional dhol-chang drum.

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Rananरनाण

The men's warrior-dance of the Gaddi community of Himachal Pradesh — performed at the marriages and festivals of the Gaddi shepherds with the sword-and-shepherd's-staff, in the distinctive vigorous style of the hills.

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