2. INTRODUCTION
India is a multi-cultural country, and it is reflected in the Festivals of
India: Festivals of India is about various social, religious, and
national festivals celebrated in different parts of India. India has
been rightly described as a sub-continent and of its major
festivals, many are region-specific festivals too. There are many
festivals which are celebrated as national festivals; while a
number of them are celebrated by members of particular religious
or social groups. India is a land of festivals. These Indian festivals
bind all Indians together of different castes, religions, etc there is
no discrimination while celebration. When there is no
discrimination then it is called INDIA. Now, we are about to read
the festivals and celebrations of two states: Himachal Pradesh
and Kerala.
3. 02
I
II
01
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowlegement
Introduction
Festivals of
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
03 Performances Of
Himachal Pradesh
04
Folklore Of Himachal
Pradesh
Kerala
06 Festivals of Kerala
07
05
Performances Of Kerala
08
Folklore Of Himachal
Pradesh
IX & X
Conclusion &
Bibliography
5. Himachal Pradesh is a state in India where people of
different communities and tribes live together in
complete harmony with the bounty of nature. There
are colorful festivals of Himachal Pradesh that
attracts people. There are more than 16 festivals but
Kullu Dussehra is the popular festival.
● Kullu Dussehra is observed in the month of October
and It is celebrated in the Dhalpur maidan in
the Kullu valley. Dussehra at Kullu commences on
the tenth day of the rising moon, i.e. on
‘Vijayadashami' day itself and continues for seven
days. Its history dates back to the 17th century when
local King Jagat Singh installed an idol of Raghunath
on his throne as a mark of penance. The State
government has accorded the status of
International festival to the Kullu Dussehra, which
attracts tourists in large numbers.
Festivals of himachal
pradesh
Kullu Dussehra
6. Performances Of Himachal
Pradesh
The traditional dances of Himachal Pradesh are very
complicated. These dances are a vital part
of tribal life. It reflects the culture and the tradition
of Himachal. Hardly any festivity there is celebrated
without dancing. Dance forms such as Nati are
performed all over the region.
• There are 10 Dances: Nati, Dangi Folk
Dance, Chhanak Chham Dance, Demon (Rakshasa)
Dance, Kayang Mala Folk Dance, Dalshon and
Cholamba Dance, Dhure Dance, Shan and Shabu,
Laaldi and Ghughti and Swaangtegi.
• Nati is the most famous dance of Himachal Pradesh.
It is listed in the Guinness world record book as the
largest folk dance.
Demon Dance
Nati
Dangi Folk Dance
Dalshon & Cholamba Dance
7. Folklore of Himachal Pradesh
Khajjiar in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh
is well known for its scenic beauty. It is
associated with and built by the Pandavas.
In the midst of thick deodar forests lies a
small lake. Nearby is a wooden temple
dedicated to Khajji Nag Devta or the snake
deity. The Vedic cult of worshipping the
snakes is still prevalent in the hills.
In Mandi district on finds several references
claiming association with Pandavas. At the
confluence of Beas and Suketi, there stands
a huge boulder known as Chikni Chattan. The
people believe that the Pandavas had spent
a night here. The steps leading to the top of
the boulder are said to be carved by the epic
heroes themselves.
Khajjiar
Mandi
9. Kerala is a South Indian state that has embraced its
traditions and cultures gracefully. it is equally rich in
the context of spirituality and ethnicity. Thousands
of other spectacular aspects of Kerala fill the heart
with enlightenment. There are more than 12 festivals
but Onam is the popular festival.
Onam is an Indian harvest festival celebrated
predominantly by the Hindus of Kerala. A major
annual event for Keralites, it is the official festival of
the state and includes a spectrum of cultural events.
● The floral Rangoli, known as Athapookkalam, is made
out of the gathered blossoms with several varieties
of flowers of differing tints pinched up into little
pieces to design and decorate patterns on the floor,
particularly at entrances and temple premises like a
flower mat.
Festivals of Kerala
Onam
10. Performances Of Kerala
Dance is an integral part of Kerala’s art and culture and
no festival is complete. These dance forms have
gained popularity not only in the state itself, but also
across the globe! Each dance form is unique and has
a different way of expression adorned with
ornaments and dance costumes.
• There are 10 Dances:
Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thirvathirakali, Kolkali
Ottamthullal, Koodiyattam, Chakyar Koothu,
Oppana, Margamkali and Theyyam.
• Kathakali is the most famous dance of Kerala. The
traditional themes of the Kathakali are folk stories,
religious legends and spiritual ideas from the Hindu
epics and the Puranas.
Mohiniyattam
Kathakali
Theyyam
Koodiyattam
11. Folklore of Kerala
Numerous songs and performing arts are
accompanied with them. Kanyar
Kali, Padayani, Mudiyettu, Thirayattam,
Malavayiyattam, Theyyam,
Kothamooriyattam, Nira, Puthari, etc. are
some of the ritual folklore of Kerala. It was
under the rule of Kolathiris, the Kings
of Kolathunadu, and they codified the rituals,
beliefs, taboos and folk performing arts.
Ritualistic folk arts can be further divided into
two: devotional and magical. Devotional folk
arts are performed to propitiate a particular
God or Goddess. Theyyam, Thirayattam,
Poothamthira, Kanyarkali, Kummatti, etc.,
are some of them. Forms like Panappattu
and Thottampattu are composed in the
form of songs.
In Kolkali, Margamkali, Daffumuttukkali, etc., the
ritualistic element is not very strong.
Kanyar
Mudiyettu
12. Conclusion
At last, we conclude that festivals, performances and
folklores of both Himachal Pradesh and Kerala are
widely different. Being aware of the knowledge of
various cultures and traditions in a country,
especially in India, can be so interesting. The way
how both states perform different festivals,
different dances, different folk art and stories can
make a state look so unique. There are various
other states too that conducts various festivals,
folk dances, music, traditional stories and so on.
India is a country which is rich in different
cultures and traditions that makes our country
unique from other countries.
