Thoda

Understand

Where Thoda comes from

Thoda is the martial dance of the Rajput community of the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, performed by men of the Rajput families with the small sword (the khanda) and the bow-and-arrow. The form is associated with the ancient martial tradition of the Kullu Rajput and with the myth-cycle of the Kullu Valley (the Parashurama and the Mahabharata associations of the region). The dance is performed at the Dussehra and the spring festivals of the Kullu Valley and is recognised as one of the most distinctive martial-dance forms of Himachal Pradesh. The Thoda was performed by the armed retainers of the Rajas of Kullu and is now performed by the village communities as a cultural and festival form.

How it's practiced

Thoda is performed by men of the Kullu Rajput community in a circle at the central village ground of the Kullu Valley. The men dance in coordinated steps, with the small sword (the khanda) and the bow-and-arrow in their hands, performing the mock-combat and the salute of the warrior. Music is the dhol, the shehnai, the karnal (the small Himachali horn) and the nagara. Costume is the regional Pahari dress — the dhoti, the woollen coat (the chola) and the colourful Pahari cap. Performances are at the Dussehra and the spring festivals of the Kullu Valley.