Chhalia dance (also known as Chholia) is a popular folk dance of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is a sword dance, which is mainly performed during wedding processions or other auspicious occasions. It is prevalent in the Pithoragarh, Champawat, Bageshwar, and Almora districts of the Kumaon division.
A Chholia team usually consists of 22 actors, including eight dancers and 14 musicians. In this dance, the dancers sequentially wield swords and shields to the tune of war-like music, which looks like a simulated fight with their fellow dancers. They also carry a triangular red flag (Nissan) with them. The dancers have predominantly fiery expressions on their faces during the dance, which resemble soldiers going into battle.
Although there is a long list of traditional folk dances in Uttarakhand, Chholia or Saraun is a dance whose beginning is believed to be hundreds of years ago. According to historians, originally, this famous dance of the Kumaon region has been the cultural identity of Uttarakhand for generations. The specialty of Chholia dance is that both makeup and the heroic rasa are seen simultaneously. However, some consider it a dance performed after a victory in battle, while some refer to the rule of kings who married at the tip of the sword.
Dhol-Damau plays a vital role in Chholia dance. Apart from this, musical instruments like Nagada, Maskabeen, Kansal, Bhankora, and Ranasingha are also used in it. The churidar pajamas, a long girdle Chola, i.e., kurta and belt worn over the Chola, look amazing in the men’s costumes performing the Cholia dance of Uttarakhand. Apart from this, the dancers wear a turban on the head, earrings, bandages of Ghungroo on the feet, and sandalwood and vermilion on the face. The male dancers dress up in colorful attire with swords and shields. The dance, when done in marriages, continues till the bride reaches the house. A trumpet or Ransingha accompanies the procession.