Dance, Music, Song Promotion by Garhwal Kings in Garhwal

Administration, Social and Cultural Characteristics History of Garhwal in Shah Dynasty -18 

History of Garhwal including Haridwar (1223- 1804 AD) –part -207      

   History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -455 

                        By: Bhishma Kukreti (A History Research Student)

    Definitely, Katyuri kings would have promoted dance , music and songs as they promoted sculpture culture.

                 Mughal Emperors were lovers for dance, songs and other arts. There were famous dancers and singers in Mughal emperor’s courts. Influenced by Mughal culture, Hindu kings under Mughal Empire or free Kings also promoted dancers, singers. Hindu Kings also offered shelter to dance-singing music artisans.  

  Garhwal Kings were also protectors of dancers, singers and musicians. According to Manodaya Kavya, there were dancers, singers and musicians in the court of King Man Shah.

        Shyam Shah the Son of Man Shah was musicians. Shyam Shah could differentiate among Rag and Raganis.  The artisans used to visit Garhwal Kingdom and Shyam Shah used to offer them valuables. The lover prostitute of Shyam Shah was an expert classical singer. Shyam Shah used to visit her after lunch with musicians.

 Prithvipati Shah was also shelter providers to Musicians, artists.

 Fate Shah had love for music. There was a Umag the poet and singer in court of Fate Shah.

 Kriparam Dobhal the Mukhtyar or chief minister of Jai Krit Shah was also music lover.

 Kings promoted Majlish. There used to be dance, singing in Majlish for late night. Shrinagar was famous for Muslim prostitute (dancers, singers etc). Garhwal Kingdom used to pay salaries to those prostitutes.

 There were Dev Dasi –prostitute and female dancers in temples of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Tungnath, Gopeshwar, Kalimath, Ranihat, Devalgarh.

 Ministers and Thokdars also promoted dancers and singers (Badi –Badan). They used to keep their own Badi-Badan and prostitute or keeper.  Court poet Maularam had a prostitute called ‘Lachami’ Pradyuman Shah snatched that prostitute from Maularam.

     Hindu prostitutes were called ‘Rajni’. Muslim prostitutes were costly in Shrinagar. Muslim ambassadors coming to Shrinagar also demanded prostitute for their entertainment.

  Apart from Hindustani classic, the Garhwal Kings also promoted folk dance, song and music.

  In society community music, dances and songs were very common.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com12/10/2014

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -456

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

History of Garhwal from 1223-1804 to be continued in next chapter ….

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Notes on South Asian Modern Period  History of Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Pauri Garhwal; South Asian  Modern Period  History of Chamoli Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Rudraprayag Garhwal;  South Asian Modern  History of Tehri Garhwal; South Asian Modern  History of Uttarkashi Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Dehradun, Garhwal;  Modern  History of Haridwar ;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Manglaur, Haridwar;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Rurkee Haridwar ;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Bahadarpur Haridwar ; South Asian Modern Period  History of Haridwar district, History of Characteristics of Garhwal Kings Shah dynasty ,  to be continued

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Dance, Music, Song Promotion by Garhwal Kings in Garhwal; Dance, Music, Song Promotion by Garhwal Kings in Garhwal in context Tehri Garhwal History; Dance, Music, Song Promotion by Garhwal Kings in Garhwal in context Uttarkashi Garhwal History; Dance, Music, Song Promotion by Garhwal Kings in Garhwal in context Dehradun Garhwal History; Dance, Music, Song Promotion by Garhwal Kings in Garhwal in context Haridwar Garhwal History; Dance, Music, Song Promotion by Garhwal Kings in Garhwal in context Pauri Garhwal History; Dance, Music, Song Promotion by Garhwal Kings in Garhwal in context Chamoli Garhwal History; Dance, Music, Song Promotion by Garhwal Kings in Garhwal in context Rudraprayag Garhwal History;