Uttarakhand artists

Uttarakhand's artists sing the songs and tell the stories of the Garhwal and Kumaon hills, and its folk traditions include a ritual theatre recognised by UNESCO.

Music

Narendra Singh Negi's Garhwali songs are known in every hill home, and Mohan Upreti made Kumaoni folk music, including the song "Bedu Pako", famous across India. Jagar, sung to call the local deities, has singers such as Basanti Bisht and Pritam Bhartwan, both Padma Shri winners.

Dance and theatre

Ramman, the ritual festival theatre of Saloor-Dungra village in Chamoli, is on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Choliya sword dance is performed at Kumaoni weddings, and the Langvir Nritya and Chhopati are danced in Garhwal.

Painting and crafts

The Garhwal school of Pahari painting is linked with the painter Mola Ram. Aipan, the white-on-red floor and wall art of Kumaon, received a geographical indication (GI) tag. Ringal bamboo work and woollen weaving are also made in the hills.

Sources

• Uttarakhand Tourism: Government of Uttarakhand
• Sangeet Natak Akademi: India's national academy of music, dance and drama (Ministry of Culture)
• Padma Awards: the official list of Padma award winners (Government of India)
• Indian Culture: the Ministry of Culture's portal on India's arts, crafts and heritage