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{{short description|Dance form practised in the Kumaon region of India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
[[File:Cholliyar.jpg|thumb|Chholiya Dance]]
'''Chholiya''' (or '''Chhaliya''') is a dance form practised in the [[Kumaon division]] of [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]. It is basically a [[sword dance]] accompanying a marriage procession but now it is performed on many auspicious occasions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-dance/folk-dances/north-india.html |title=Folk Dances Of North India |publisher=Culturalindia.net |access-date=2010-06-12}}</ref>

It is especially popular in the districts of [[Almora district|Almora]], [[Bageshwar district|Bageshwar]], [[Champawat district|Champawat]] and [[Pithoragarh district|Pithoragarh]] of Kumaon division and has even spread to the [[Garhwal division]].

This sword dance has a history of more than a thousand years and is rooted in the martial traditions of the [[Kumaoni people]].

==Origin==
Dating back to over a thousand years, the Chholiya Dance has its origins in the warring Kshatriyas of Kumaun- the [[Khasas]] and [[Katyuri kings|Katyuris]] when marriages were performed at the point of the swords.

The native [[Kshatriyas]] were united by the [[Chand Kings]] who arrived' on the scene in the 10th century. Flux of immigrants [[Rajput]]s who made native kshatriyas a small minority also took on the hill customs and influenced pahari culture with their traditions and language. The days of marriages on the point of sword were over, but the traditions attached to it still continued.

That is why the groom is still known as ''Kunwar'' (कुंवर) or ''Raja'' (राजा) (King) in Kumaun. He rides a horse in the marriage procession and wears a Khukri in his belt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euttaranchal.com/uttaranchal/music_cinema/choliya_dance.php |title=Choliya Dance - Folk Dances of Kumaon |publisher=Euttaranchal.com |access-date=2010-06-12 |archive-date=2 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702172355/http://www.euttaranchal.com/uttaranchal/music_cinema/choliya_dance.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Significance==
Apart from its origins in the martial traditions of the people of Kumaun, it also has religious significance.
This art form is mainly performed by the Rajput community in their marriage processions.<ref>{{cite web|author=musetheplace.com |url=http://musetheplace.com/choliya-dance-folk-dances-of-kumaon/ |title=Choliya Dance – Folk Dances of Kumaon |publisher=musetheplace.com |access-date=2013-01-21}}</ref>
Chholiya is performed in marriages and is believed to be auspicious as it provides protection from evil spirits and demons. Marriage processions were believed to be vulnerable to such spirits who target peoples happiness. It was a common belief that demons followed a marriage procession or ''Baryat''(बर्यात)/Barat to bewitch the newly married and performance of Chholiya could prevent this.

==Instruments==

The ''turi'' (तुरी), ''nagphani'' (नागफनी) and ''ransing'' (रणसिंघ) belonging to the [[brass instrument]] family are traditional instruments of the [[Kumaon division]], were earlier used in battles to increase the morale of the troops, are used.

[[Percussion instrument]]s like ''dhol'' (ढोल), ''damau'' (दमाऊ) which are also native to Kumaun are played by professional musicians known as ''dholies''.

''Masakbeen''(मसकबीन) or [[Bagpipe]] introduced by the [[British people|British]] in Kumaun as instruments played in marching bands were assimilated into the wide range of instruments played.

[[Woodwind instruments]] like the ''nausuriya muruli'' (नौसुरिया मुरूली) (lit. the nine note flute) akind of flute and ''jyonya'' (ज्योंया) (lit. twin flute) a type of double flute native to Kumaun is also played.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chhaliyamahotsava.com/home.htm |title=Welcome to Chhaliya Mahotsava, Pithoragarh |publisher=Chhaliyamahotsava.com |access-date=2010-06-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123060934/http://www.chhaliyamahotsava.com/home.htm |archive-date=23 January 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Attire==
Donning the traditional Kumauni attire white ''[[churidar|churidar payajama]]'', the ''[[turban|taanka]]'' on their heads, the ''chola'', face covered with sandal wood 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. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.himalaya2000.com/uttarakhand/dances/choliya.html |title=Choliya Dance - Choliya Dance Uttarakhand, Cholia Dance Uttaranchal |publisher=Himalaya2000.com |access-date=2010-06-12}}</ref>

==Features==
Accompanied by war-like music, equipped with swords they dance in a perfectly synchronized manner while engaging in mock fights with their fellow dancers.

Carrying the triangular red flag the "nishana" (निसाण), ([[banners]]), waving their swords, with fiery expressions on the faces they give the impression of warriors going to battle.

There are 22 men in a full team of Chholiya dancers 8 of them are the sword dancers and the rest 14 are musicians.

==Forms==
The following are the forms of Chholiya popular all over Kumaun which differ in movements
* ''Bisu nritya'' (बिसू नृत्य )
* ''Saraanv'' (mock fights) (सरांव)
* ''Rann nritya'' (lit. war dance) (रण नृत्य)
* ''Sarankar'' (सरंकार)
* ''Veerangna'' (वीरांगना)
* ''depanshu'' (दीपांशु)
* ''Chholiya Baja'' (छोलिया बाजा)
* ''Shauka Shaili'' (शौका शैली) native to [[Johar]] region of Kumaun
* ''Paitan Baja'' (पैटण बाजा)

== References ==
{{refbegin}}
{{reflist}}
* ''The Himalayan Gazetter'' by E. T. Atkinson
* ''The History of Kumaun'' by B. D. Pandey
{{refend}}

{{Dance in India}}

[[Category:Kumaon division]]
[[Category:Culture of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Dances of India]]
[[Category:Indian folk dances]]

Chholiya - Revision history

>InternetArchiveBot at 13:22, 4 July 2021