Hudka-Medium

Product Code - H1

Size - 26 cm x 19 cm

Material - Mango wood, Animal skin & copper

About Hilljatra

The Hilljatra, which is being celebrated in some parts of Pithoragarh district, is essentially the festival of pastoralists and agriculturalists. The festival, which came to the Soar valley from the Sorar (Mahakali) region of West Nepal, was first introduced in Kumaour village. The Jatra was also accepted by the people of Bajethi, another village near Pithoragarh town and with some modifications it was introduced in Kanalichina ans Askot as Hiran Chital.

The Hilljatra is related to ropai (the plantation of paddy) and other agricultural and pastoral labours of the rainy season (Hill=mud, Jatra=Jaat). It is also been connected with the victory of the Champawat ruler. There is another story that Kuru, the representative of a Chand King, who went to Sorar (Nepal) to participate in the hilljatra, was able to sacrifice a buffalo with horns covering the neck. The people became happy and wanted to present Kuru a gift. Kuru thought of introducing this festival in Soar valley and asked for four masks, Lakhiabhoot, Halwaha, tow bullocks, and one implement - the Nepali plough. in this way, the hilljatra was introduced in Soar.

In the first part of jatra, worship and the ritual sacrifice of goats is performed, and in the second part, different pastoral and agricultural activities are presented in a dramatic way.  The masks are very expressive and this is the most entertaining part of the festival. In the third and last part, the songs are recited with the performance of circle dance (Chanchari). It continues late into the night. The songs are traditional as well as new and popular. The hilljatra is a living tradition and all care should be taken to preserve its style in a rapidly changing society.

Hilljatra Craft

The Hilljatra Crafts is started by Bhav Raag Taal Natya Acadamy, a cultural organization of Uttarakhand which looks after tradition of Uttarakahand folk, music, also work as a theatre group.

The first and foremost aim of the Hilljatra Craft is to safeguard and preserve the tradition of making wooden masks and traditional folk musical instruments. The Hilljatra Craft aims to continue the tradition of making valuable traditional masks and folk instruments. 

Colorful masks are donned by storyteller while the beats of the traditional damau drums add drama and flair to the theatrics. The scripts, the characters and the mask have remained identical in design for the past 500 years, with a few variation of colors.