Chhaliya Dance – the pride of Kumaon!

Chhaliya dance is the most popular dance of folk dances of Uttarakhand. This dance is used as a symbol of war, in which male men wear antique soldiers and dance like war with sword and shield which includes folk instruments of Uttarakhand, Dhol, Damau, Ranasing Triumph, and Mashakbeen also. Jugalbandi of all these instruments and Chhaliya dancers is such that you will be forced to press the fingers under your teeth. In Pithoragarh, an annual event is organized in the name of "Chhaliya Mahotsav", in which apart from Uttarakhand, Chhalia Dal competes to become the best party from Himanchal and Nepal. This event has been organized by local people in the last 10 years with the help of Uttarakhand Government. But in recent years this annual event has vanished like an old oak table, all thanks to the district administration. Slow claps!!

Challiya Dancers Performing in a Kumaoni marriage
Photo by - Amit Kalpasi

Chhaliya Dance has its origins in the Khasiya Kingdom of Khasdesh, where marriages were performed at the point of the swords. They were united by the Chand kings who arrived on the scene in the 10th century. In Nepal, the word Khasa is still a synonym for Kashatrya, and in Khasdesh too, they took on the customs of the Rajputs, who were themselves honorary Kshatriyas. 

The Dhol and the Damua
Photo by - Amit Kalpasi

Keeping the old tradition alive, the Rajputs dance this at their weddings as a part of the marriage procession itself, led by the male dancers who go on dancing till they reach the bride's house. Performed by the Rajputs with sword and shield in pairs, the drummers are usually Harijans called Dholies, while the Turi and Ransing are played by Bairagis.

The Chhaliyas chilling in the free time
Photo by - Amit Kalpasi

Donning the traditional Kumauni attire white churidar pajama, the taanka on their heads, the chola, and face covered with sandalwood paste as if ready for battle equipped with tulwar swords and brass shields. Their costume resembles the costume of the ancient martial warriors that inhabited Kumaun.

The Kumaoni weddings are considered incomplete without Chhaliyas and the Chabelis (type of Kumoani shayaris) 

"Pahadi shadi matlab Challiya wala scene hai "