Uttarakhand’s colourful community festival “Kauthig 2014” spreads festive cheer in Mumbai

To enjoy the flavors and customs  of the unique culture of the paharis, head to Nerul - Till Sunday, from 6pm to 10pm, the paharis (as they are known) converge to celebrate the spirit of Devbhoomi and showcase the same to the rest of the city.

Mumbai Jan 23, 2014- The five-day-long cultural festival of Uttarakhand `Kauthig 2014’  at Nerul’s Ramleela Maidan  in Navi Mumbai, that aims to bring the pahari youth in Mumbai closer to their culture and roots, was inaugurated by Shri Yogeshwar Sharma, President, Kauthik Foundation, Shri Ratan Singh Barthwal, MD, Bhagwati Developers and Shri Krishna Singh Kapkoti, President, Nepal, Overseas All India Congress Party on Jan 22,2014. The unique festival commenced on cheerful note with  Ma Nanda Devi Traditional  Raaj Jaat,Jhanki (Tableau) which took off from Nerul Gaon Devi and travelled through many places in the city. The special performances by renowned artists from Pithoragrah’s Chaliya  group who presented a spectacle performance in route to Ramlila ground made the audience go crazy.    

Renowned artists such as Hemant Butola and Prakash Rawat, who are an important part of Uttarakhand's cultural scene, will be performing together with Challiya, a group of renowned performers from Pithoragarh. The festival will also have performances by Uttarakhand's famous traditional and folk vocalists that include Govind Digari, Khushi Digari, Pappu Karaki, Prahlad Janardhan Upreti, Rekha Uniyal, Reshma Shah, Veeru Joshi, Vinod Shirola , Anuradha Nirala and Jyothi Upreti.

The event also showcases the traditional pahari music and musical instruments such as the dor-thakuli, dhol-damau, ransinga, bhankor, mochhang, conch bell and flute. "These are musical instruments that are used in the traditional form of music. Although many of them are now forgotten, there are artists who still practice these forms of music.

In addition, there will be stalls selling handicrafts - from copper ware to cotton fabric and woollen clothing.

Get set to feast on the famous Uttarakhand dal — the bhatt — a variety made using soyabean. Among the lentils, you can taste badis (a thick-salted porridge preparation made of urad dal), kandalee (poison ivy) ka saag, gulgula (flour mixed with jaggery), and arsa (traditional sweet made during weddings). Those with a sweet tooth can gorge on kesar halwa, bal mithai (a pahari version of chocolate made from mawa). Other specialities like chani (aloo curry where potatoes are smashed with a pestle before they are cooked), kachmuli (a pahari style spicy kachumber salad), kathyalo (raw mango chutney) and railo (raita made of boiled pumpkin) will also be available. So, if you want to catch a glimpse of the unique culture of the paharis, head to Nerul.

Shri Yogeshwar Sharma, President, Kauthik Foundation said, “What started as a two-day event in 2008 has become  the largest community festival of Uttarakhandis in Mumbai which tries to bring the pahari youth in Mumbai closer to their culture and roots. Being away from our homeland, many of our youngsters now a days do not know much about Pahari tradition and community.  This festival aims to bridge the gap and encourages them to appreciate their pahari art, culture and customs”