Ramman
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A religious festival and ritual theatre of the twin villages of Saloor-Dungra in Chamoli, with masked dances and episodes from the Ramayana.
Folk theatreWhere: Saloor-Dungra, Chamoli district, UttarakhandOccasion: Annual festival for the village deity Bhumiyal Devta, held in spring (April–May)UNESCO heritage 2009
| Performed by | Villagers of Saloor-Dungra; each family and caste group has a set role |
|---|---|
| Costume | Carved wooden masks for characters and deities, with bright clothes |
| Music and instruments | Dhol, damau and the singing of the Ramayana in the local Jagar style |
How it is performed
- The festival begins with prayers to Bhumiyal Devta in the village courtyard.
- Masked dancers perform scenes from the Ramayana and from local legends, to songs and drum beats.
- Other masked characters perform comic and historical episodes between the main scenes.
- The festival lasts several days and ends with rituals for the deity and the village.
Significance
Ramman was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. It shows how a whole village shares out roles in a single ritual performance.