The Gaddi community has both lower and higher castes. They follow a very different culture and traditions making them different from the other communities. They have a beautiful culture of folk songs, which is divided according to the occasions that occur in one’s life. They are mostly found in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. They follow the Hindu religion and belong to several castes like Brahmin, Rajput, Dhangar, Khatri, Rana and Thakur. To date, they have preserved their traditional culture in its original form. Gaddi music can be divided into various categories, like marriage songs, festivity songs, love songs, historical songs, and religious songs.
Dhud wo dhud
Dham wo dham
Banjanda kai aaya amma meriye maaya
Gaura asks about the sound she could hear approaching
Chai wo chakk bajda kai aaya
What is this sound of chhai and chakk approaching
Chai wo chakk bajda nagada
The sound chhai and chakk approaching is of a Nagada
Dhiye laadliye
My dear daughter
Chadi diye amadi reh heja
Leave all the pampering by your mother
Dhiye laadliye
My dear daughter
Chadi diye baapuyeri goda
Leave the comfort of your father’s lap
Dhiye laadliye
My dear daughter
Jaliye dhara kheriye dhuriye
There is fog in the valley
Hari bhala Vishnu
Help us oh Lord Vishnu
Neelam and her group are fabulous performers on one side. While they sit and sing on the other, the dance performers present a beautiful dance with lovely synchronizations and choreography. While singing these songs, they dressed up in their traditional costume, which is quite unique. The men wear a frock-like cloak of white called ‘Chola’, which is secured around the waist with many woollen sashes. They wear a high peaked cap pulled down over the ears in severe winter. The female dancers wear the traditional Himachali dress while performing, which is specifically worn by brides at the time of marriage. The flaring bottom gown is called Nuachadi; the covering dupatta is called ‘reeda’; and the black ‘dori’ tied on the waist is said to have been worn by Lord Shiva when he became a ‘Jogi’. The accessories used for ‘Shringaar’ are Chidi and Maang Teeka (the head accessory), Chandrahaar (the silver necklace), Gojri (silver bracelet), and Nath (a big nose ring).
