Kullu Nati – A  Folk Dance in Himachal

Nati refers to the traditional dance of Sirmaur, Kullu, and Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. The dance is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as largest folk dance. It is quite popular in whole Himachal Pradesh. Dance is also popular in Chandigarh where Himachali youth perform this on cultural programmes.This dance is also popular in jounsari community in uttrakhand.

Several types of Nati dances are popular in Himachal Pradesh including Mahasuvi Nati, Sirmauri Nati and Lahauli Nati, Kinnauri Nati. The Kinnauri Nati dance is mime-like and includes languid sequences. Important among the dances of Nati is 'Losar shone chuksom'. The name from Losai, or the New Year. Activities such as sowing the crop and reaping it are included in it.

Performance :

Nati dance is a local folk dance of Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh and depicts ras lila or dances concerning Hindu God Krishna and Gopis and the entertaining plays of Chandravali. Dancers join their hands and make movement accordingly with the music and rhythm. However, there are thirteen styles. This dance was traditionally performed by men who wear decorated caps, sashes, churidaars and swirling tunics but now it has been performed by women mostly. This dance can be performed by any age group persons as it is not a professional dance. This dance is being carried for four or three days both in morning and in nights basically this dance belongs from Lasya variety and considered as a dance of slow-movement. Costumes which are used in this dance are Shoes, Socks, Churidar Pyjamas, Silver Chains, Boomani, Floral Shawl, Lachhi, Gachi, Ghaghra, Chola. However, women costumes are different as they wear ornaments of gold and silver which are known as Chanki and Tunki. Ornate fan is being carried in one hand and handkerchief which is colourful is being carried in another hand. Earlier there were separate groups for men and women but now they are allowed to dance together. Dancers clad in traditional dresses dance along with the procession, on the tunes of musical instruments such as Narsingha, Karnal, Shehnai, Dhol and Nagara. Earlier, Nati was performed for several hours and continued till dancers and orchestra got exhausted.

World Record :

Aiming to spread the message of ‘save girl child’ the Kullu administration had organized the event phrased as ‘Pride of Kullu’ on October 26, 2015 at Dhalpur ground of Kullu town, where over 13,000 participants from all part of Kullu district participated.

The Nati Dance in the second week of January 2016 was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest folk dance in the world. Nati entered in the book as the largest folk dance in terms of participants’ number. Total 9892 women participated in this folk dance in their traditional colourful Kulluvi on 26 October 2015 during International Dussehra festival which is a centuries-old festival and celebrations begin on Vijaya Dashami, the day when the festivities end in rest of the country.

However, due to strict stipulations and guidelines, including bar-coded chip for each participant, only 9,892 could be registered. It’s a matter of pride for Himachal Pradesh, as a mega Kullu Nati, a group folk dance performed by 9,892 women in traditional attire, has find place in the Guinness World Records.

Kullu Deputy Commissioner annouced the development and confirmed of receiving approval from the Guinness World Record in the category of ‘Largest Nati Dance’.

The same kind of event also made it to the Limca records book by registering 8,540 participants in Kullu Dasehra Festival 2014.

Kullu district administration for conducted a mega cultural event of Kullvi Natti during the latest international Dussehra Festival and  it depicted the rich culture and high traditions of the State and after getting worldwide recognition this folk dance would further scale new heights.

           The participants particularly the female folk dancers whose contribution made it possible to enter into the Guinness Book of world records. The event organized under the aegis of ‘Beti Hai Anmol’ which effectively spread mass awareness on saving the girl child. Himachal Pradesh is known for its rich culture and traditions and State Government is committed to promote and preserve it at all cost.So it is important for  the people to maintain distinct cultural traditions which were the real identity and heritage of the State.