kariyala himachal pradeshKariyala is a form of folk theatre dedicated to the local deity of solan Shimla and Sirmour, known as Bijeshwar, which is performed when agriculttural prosperity is achieved in the region or personal wishes are fulfilled. After a grand feast, the kariyalchis or kariyala performers sit down to do their makeup.
The audience gathers around an open stage. Instruments such a sharmonium, shehnai, danka accompany the performance, which begins with the invocation of local deities, called Devkrida. Then there are interactive conversations, swangs or skits and didactic performances which comment on domesticity, local politics, social relations, etc, mostly delivered by characters like sadhus, sutradharas and men dressed up as women.
Luddi Dance
Luddi DanceLuddi is a traditional folk dance of Mandi distric of Himachal Pradesh. Luddi is a victory dance or a dance of celebration where people do special movements of their hands. It is a very graceful dance starts with very slow motion and rythem and slowly it goes on to become fast to form circle with the fast beats. This is performed by both men and women and sometimes only by women.
For the dance women wear a long and heavy angrakha style kurta called cholu and bright and heavy duppata with havyt silver jwellery. Men wear white kurta, maroon heargear called safa and black kamarband. Luddi singer and percussionist are also important parts of the sance. instruments like dhol, nagada, jhanj, shehnai, turemu and kangararange are the most commonly used stringed instruments for the luddi dance.