Kullu: Himachal Pradesh is famous for it's diversity and culture. At the same time, folk dance of Himachal is also not unknown to anyone. While the 'Nati' of Himachal has been performed on almost every stage of the country, the Nati of Kullu district has gained international fame.
The word Nati is very popular in Himachal Pradesh, which is seen from the perspective of folklore and folk dance. In many areas of the state, Nati means a folk song in which dance is also performed, but in Kullu region, Nati means only dance.
As soon as the word Nati appears, the picture of the traditional village of Kullu starts flickering in front of the eyes, where young men and women dance in a circle wearing a special dress to the music of folklore.
In each family of Kullu, whether there is a celebration, a festival or Kullu Dussehra, nothing is complete without the dance.
Kullavi Nati is not a dance or song for fun, but it is a folk dance performed with great discipline.
While performing the dance, men are dressed in fine white wool robes, churidar pajamas, black round caps on the head and two gleaming pearls of Monal on it. Necklace and waistband are also worn. Whereas, women wear 'Phool wale pattu,' Chandrahar and 'Danga thepu' on the head, their style is admired by all.
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If we talk about the dramas of Kullu, then these dramas prove to be very significant in Kullu, from the wedding ceremony to playing the Dev traditions. There are also some dramas that remove the evil forces spreading in the rural valley. Obscene words are also used while performing the Nati. This is not considered wrong in the Dev samaj.
Kullu has five types of major Natis, including Birshu, Dhili Nati, Laldi dance, Fagli dance and others. Birshu dance is performed by women, especially in the temples in Vaishakh month, which is also known as Birshu in district Kullu.
Laldi dance can also be called 'dialogue dance'. In this, the free stream of folk songs is given the form of rhyme. In the Kullu district, the women group of Laldi dancers go to every house in the night of Dussehra and perform.
At the same time, the Haran dance in Kullu is performed on the last day of Kullu Dussehra on the eve of Lanka Dahan or 'Mahalla night' in front of Mahadev's Hesan deity. Nati of Kullu district was also named in the Guinness Book of World Records in January 2016.
The practice of this folk dance, which has been going on since ancient times, has not reduced yet, but people working in this field have started doing new experiments.
The need to save the Nati is also being felt, because while experienced folk dancers, folk singers and folklorists are disappearing, there is no effort to keep this ancient cultural heritage alive.
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