Summer festival in a Natadol

With the end of summer season round the corner, our laid-back village in Kumaon organized a summer festival. The people of Kumaon are very proud of their heritage and culture and this event was an ideal platform to showcase that. The three day festival had all the villagers coming together, participating and putting forth three days of simple yet engaging performances.

 

(Kumaoni Dancers – This was a backstage shot. The girls were ready for their next performance. They were happy to pose for me. This is also how they later danced, like dolls, on the stage.)

 

The performances were scenes from folk-lore, some songs, a couple of local dances and a small musical play.

 

(Selfie Time – the artists were happy to capture some selfies.)

 

Our district – Almora is also called the cultural capital of Uttarakhand.

 

(The girls were busy checking their phone in their break.)

 

Kumaoni traditional dresses made these people look very beautiful and their expressions conveyed the pride they felt in wearing these.

(The pretty Kumaoni girl posed for a few photographs of her own. The overcast sky was a blessing for such photographs. No harsh shadows on the face and no need for any reflectors or fill-flashes.)

 

There were a handful of vendors selling some home-made items and clothes. During the cultural performances, they left their wares unattended and watched the happenings. The people in general are God-fearing and truthful. No one even touched their wares when the vendors were not there.

 

 (Dressed up in Kumaoni traditional dress, the artists practiced their performances and posed for me. A very gentle and affectionate group of people!)

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