Bharaltoo Dance: A Reflection of Tribal Culture of Hattee Community of Sirmaur District of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The present research paper is based on Bharaltoo dance of Hattee area of Giripar of Sirmaur district. In earlier time, sheep and goat rearing was a primary occupation in the upper region of Sirmaur. used to live a nomadic life. They used to take their sheep and goats to Churdhar and its surrounding hills in summer and to warmer areas in winter. These nomadic shepherds had their own culture, lifestyle and traditions. An important aspect of their culture is Bharaltoo dance which was performed by these sheep herders of Hattee community. Earlier this dance was a type of Swang dance (dance drama) which gradually took the form of a traditional dance. With the passage of time, people reduced sheep and goat rearing and the nomadic lifestyle also began to fade away. As a result, the traditions of shepherds and this dance slowly became extinct. But in some villages of the Giripar region, people are still performing traditions related to Bharaltoo, among which Bhadhalti Sagarand, Badhale Re Shanol and the winter festival of Maghi are famous.