Folk Music and Dance of Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir has a rich cultural heritage expressed through its folk music and dance. The music and dance forms reflect the spiritual, historical, and social traditions of the region. They are performed on various occasions, including weddings, religious ceremonies, harvest celebrations, and festivals.

Folk Music of Jammu and Kashmir

1. Bakhan

  • Description: A rhythmic folk song without the use of musical instruments.
  • Region: Jammu.
  • Significance: Sung in Dogri language and widely used for entertainment.

2. Benthe

  • Description: Sung in a chorus by 5 to 7 people.
  • Region: Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Performers: Gujjars and Bakarwals, tribal communities.
  • Significance: Sung on major occasions and social ceremonies.

3. Chakri

  • Description: A popular Kashmiri folk music form played at weddings and social gatherings.
  • Region: Kashmir.
  • Instruments Used: Harmonium, Rabab, Garaha, and Sarangi.

4. Karak

  • Description: A ballad-style musical narration.
  • Region: Jammu (Udhampur district).
  • Performers: Jogis (wandering singers) accompanied by the Rabab.

5. Ladishah

  • Description: A satirical musical tradition sung to comment on social and political issues.
  • Region: Kashmir.
  • Significance: Often performed in villages during the harvest season.

6. Nend Baith

  • Description: Sung by farmers while working in fields.
  • Region: Kashmir.
  • Significance: Helps farmers maintain enthusiasm while removing weeds from crops.

7. Sufiyana Kalam

  • Description: A classical form of Sufi music.
  • Region: Kashmir.
  • Instruments Used: Santoor, Wasool, Sitar, Tabla, and Harmonium.
  • Origin: Brought to Kashmir from Persia in the 15th century.

8. Wanwun (Wedding Songs)

  • Description: Sung during weddings by two groups of women.
  • Region: Kashmir.
  • Significance: Blesses the bride and groom with a happy married life.

9. Song of Habba Khatoon

  • Description: Based on the story of Habba Khatoon, a Kashmiri poetess and princess.
  • Significance: Expresses the sorrow of separation from her husband, Yusuf Shah Chak.

Musical Instruments of Jammu and Kashmir

1. Rabab

  • Origin: Introduced by Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin from Turkistan.
  • Use: Played in Chakri and Sufiyana Kalam.

2. Santoor

  • Description: A hundred-stringed wooden instrument.
  • Use: The main instrument in Sufiyana Kalam.

3. Tumbaknari

  • Description: A clay drum, similar to the Iranian Tumakh.
  • Use: Played at weddings and celebrations.

4. Sitar

  • Description: Smaller than the Indian sitar with seven strings.

5. Skaling

  • Description: A Kashmiri instrument made of two joined flutes.

6. Saranda

  • Description: A string instrument similar to the Sarangi, used by saints in Jammu.

7. King

  • Description: A Jammu folk instrument with two gourd resonators.
  • Use: Played during Karkan music (religious ballads).

Folk Dances of Jammu and Kashmir

1. Rouf

  • Description: Performed by women on Eid and Ramzan.
  • Region: Kashmir.
  • Dance Style: Women stand face-to-face and move their feet forward and backward in rhythm.

2. Kud

  • Description: A ritual dance performed in honor of local deities.
  • Region: Jammu.
  • Performers: Farmers, during the rainy season.
  • Instruments Used: Narsingha, Chhaina, Flute, Drums.

3. Bachha Nagma

  • Description: A harvest dance, performed by young boys.
  • Region: Kashmir.
  • Performers: Boys dressed as girls performing Hafiza style dance.

4. Hafiz Nagma

  • Description: A Kashmiri Sufi dance performed at weddings.
  • Region: Kashmir.
  • Performers: A female dancer (Hafiza) accompanied by musicians playing the Santoor.

5. Dumhal

  • Description: A traditional men’s dance of the Wattal tribe.
  • Region: Kashmir.
  • Performance Style: Dancers plant a banner in the ground before performing.

6. Bhand Pather

  • Description: A folk theatre form combining dance and drama.
  • Region: Kashmir.
  • Performers: Male dancers who also play female roles.
  • Themes: Satirical and based on social issues.

7. Roul

  • Description: A festive women’s dance performed at weddings and religious ceremonies.
  • Region: Jammu and Kashmir.

8. Jagarana

  • Description: A women’s dance performed in Jammu when the groom’s procession (Baraat) leaves.

9. Wuegi-Nachun

  • Description: A ritual dance performed by Kashmiri Pandit women after a wedding.

10. Cham

  • Description: A mask dance performed by Ladakhi Buddhists during festivals.
  • Origin: Introduced by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century.

11. Dandaras

  • Description: A Lohri festival dance featuring peacock models made from bamboo and colored paper.

12. Gwatri

  • Description: A combination of folk singing and dance.
  • Region: Jammu.
  • Performance Style: Singers narrate stories, while dancers enact them.

13. Geetru

  • Description: A Dogra Pahari folk dance, performed at weddings and festivals.
  • Region: Jammu.

14. Heren

  • Description: A folk theatre dance, performed during Lohri in Jammu.

15. Jabro

  • Description: A Ladakhi folk dance, performed during Losar Festival.
  • Performers: Men and women holding hands and moving in circles.
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