Folk Music/ singers of uttarakhand :::.

Uttarakhand is a place where the rivers passing through the huge rocks and wind passing through large pine trees produces a natural melody by itself. Uttarakhandi folk music had its root in the lap of nature. The pure and blessed music have the feel and the touch of nature and subjects related to nature. The folk music primarily is related to the various festivals, religious traditions, folk stories and simple life of the people of Uttarakhand. Thus the songs of Uttarakhand are a true reflection of the Cultural Heritage and the way people lives their lives in the Himalayas.

There are many kinds of folk songs from the area, including ceremonial mandals, martial panwaras and melancholy khuded, thadya and jhoda.

Musical instruments used in Uttarakhand music include the dhol, damoun, turri, ransingha, dholki, daur, thali, bhankora and masakbhaja. Tabla and harmonium are also used, but to a lesser extent.

The Music and its development have seen various phases of growth and have undergone lots of transformation during the course of time.

The earliest of the singers who left never ending impressions on the folk music of Uttarakhand were :

1.The most famous personality associated with Kumaoni Folk Music is Mohan Upreti, who is known for his Nanda Devi Jagar & Rajula Malu Shahi Ballad.

He is famous for the great Kumaoni song Bedu Pako Baro Masa which for many years the identity of the hills of Uttarakahand. It is said this song was also a favourite of Jawahar Lal Nehru who heard it in a band march as this song is also apopular marching song.

2. Shri Gopal Babu Goswami who is considered to be a legend in Kumaon for his melodious voice.

His songs on the life of the members of the armed forces and their families like Kaile baje muruli, Ghughuti na basa and many others are legendary, it is said that when these songs were transmitted on All India Radio women with their husbands could not help but weep when they heard the soul touching voice of Gopal Da as he was lovingly called.

3. Shri Narendra Singh Negi who is considered to be the voice of Garhwal. Likewise Chander Singh Rahi is another popular singer, a balladeer and storyteller. His recordings are perhaps the most authentic to the hills, and he incorporates many legends and folk tales into his rousing songs.

In the past decade Uttarakhandi Music has seen a revolution after the offer by various Music Recording / Cassette Producing agencies such as Rama Video Cassette and T-Series who have offered news talents from local areas to make their own Cassettes after getting their songs recorded in the Studios.

This has led to a sudden surge of a number of hidden talents from various corners of Uttarakhand which include famous personalities such as Fauji Lalit Mohan Joshi, Heera Singh Rana, Kalpana Chauhan, Meena Rana, Anuradha Nirala, Pritam Bharatwan, Gajendra Rana who have made their contribution to the Kumaoni / Garhwali Music by various hit songs / music albums over the period.

Heera Singh Rana is identified as a singer and asocial activist whose songs tell the tale of the pain of the people of the hills.

Some of the hit songs / albums being Fauji Lalit Mohan Joshi's "Maya Ki Yaad", "Tak Taka Tak Kamla" and many other hit albums/ songs; Gajendra Rana's "Malu", "Rani Gorkhani", "Leela Ghasyari", "Pushpa"; Pritam Bhartwan's "Saruli", "Rajuli".

Also, with advance in Technology and easy availability of videocams and other recording devices, lots of talents have started producing music albums which has further led to popularization of Uttarakhandi folk dance. In fact, Kumaoni / Garhwali songs have gained so much popularity over the years that they have become integral part of the DJ Music being played during wedding