Kariyala
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A night-long open-air folk theatre of Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur, with dance, music and short comic and satirical plays.
Folk theatreWhere: Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur, Himachal PradeshOccasion: Village fairs and festivals, and performances held after a family’s vow (mannat) is fulfilled
| Performed by | Troupes of village actors and musicians; traditionally men also play the women’s roles |
|---|---|
| Costume | Masks and simple costumes for each character, such as a sadhu, a ghost or a village official |
| Music and instruments | Dhol, nagara, shehnai and karnal |
How it is performed
- Villagers gather at night around a fire in an open space, which serves as the stage.
- The evening begins with a prayer and the Chandravali dance.
- Then come a series of short, unconnected skits (swang) with characters such as the sadhu, the moneylender and the official.
- The skits poke fun at greed, injustice and the follies of society, and the audience joins in the laughter.
- Music and dance fill the gaps between skits until dawn.
Significance
Kariyala is both entertainment and social comment, and was once one of the main ways villagers in the lower hills of Himachal Pradesh spoke about the problems of their time.