Garhwali, Kumaoni, Himalayan Folk Literature

Twenty Two Tunes of Dhol-Damau
Bhishma Kukreti

The dancers and audience enjoy the Dhol-Damau according to tunes . There are two theories of tunes for Dhol Damau . According to ‘ Ramcharan Dhol Sagar’ , as per time, class and place , there are thirty five tunes in playing Dhol-Damau or Rauntal

1- Jangan man -- for earth prayer
2-Dhup Deep aur Dhwaj--- Prayer of own deities and nation
3- Surya Kiran ---Prayer of Sun
4- Kucche ki Naubat-Morning Play
5-Saras-- Worship of arms and ammunitions
6-Parikrama-- Circumambulation of earth
7-Badhai Shabad-- Happy news, Congratulation
8-Ghai Shabad- Initiation of war/battle
9-Jadkhamb- To ascend
10-Thaman-- Stopping
11-Utrai--To descend
12-Sone ki Naubat-- Resting period
13-Saat sanjha aur Nau Doha- Travel through ocean
14-Sagun- Conference hall/conference of deities
15-Chakravyuha---worship of deities
16-Ram Rahman- meeting place or Conjunction
17- Gadh ganga - at the River bank
18-Chakor Jojan- At the time of Tug of war
19-Machkaro - At the time of son birth
20-Bhair Khol-Bhitar Kohl - At the time of initiation of walking by child
21-Shabad Grah- Preventing bad omen
22-Chaurasi Ghai- Worshipping eighty four lakhs deities
23-Chauras- To call all deities in one place
24-Sarva sidhi-- For best wishes
25-Chauk Vijeta- Starting from country yard
26-Sarvagan Vijeta-- Best wishes for wins to all
27- Painsara- Step by step
28- Upgrah Vijeta-- Continuous walking
29-Chauhato-Chhablato-- Lanka dahan
30- Takkato- Head-on
31-Bajrahato- Undesired
32-Airali- Chait Pujan
33-Bairali- Welcoming/Worshipping of auji
34-Jalvayu- Worshipping season
35-Holi Vijeta- Win over bad omen

However, some learned persons , basing on ‘Chistkala dhol Sagar’ call following twenty two tunes of Dhol Sagar :

1- Dhunyal
2-Panch Badhai
3-Daud Badhai
4-Daud Shabad
5-Chauk Shabad
6-Adtali
7-Khodawa Painsaro
8-Jeet ki Painsaro
9-Pai ko Painsaro
10-Solhaman ki shrawanee
11-Yudbheed ki Jhakadi
12-Suraj ki kiranee
13-Madirau Painsaro
14-Tamas ko Painsaro
15-Akash ko Painsaro
16-Bhair Doon Ko Painsaro
17-Uthda ko Painsaro
18-Baithda ko Painsaro
19-Khadi Chal
20-Baithi Chal
21- Rahmani Chal
22-Dudbudi Chal

Curtsey Dr Vichar das Suman
Copyright @ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai, India, 2009