During our research, we came across several artists in the Almora region primarily engaged in singing and playing folk music, thanks to information available on the internet. From news interviews, we learned about Sheela Pant and managed to obtain her contact details. Initially, when we spoke with her for the first time, her strong and straightforward manner made us think that perhaps Sheela Pant wouldn’t have time for this recording. However, as we stayed in continuous contact, we discovered her helpful nature. We spoke to many artists who all referred to her affectionately as “Sheela Didi,” acknowledging her contributions and respect earned through her work. A few days before the recording, she had been unwell, and she was concerned about wanting to recover fully before giving her best performance. Today, we are recording her.
We were just about to finish recording Radha Tewari when Sheela Pant arrived at the shoot location with her group. Today, Sheela Pant will be presenting Nyoli and Bhitauli songs. Her group consists of four members: Pooran Bora on the Hudka, Arshad on the Dholak, and Santosh Kumar on the Bansuri, all of whom will accompany her as musicians. All of Sheela’s artists were beautifully dressed in traditional attire, with each wearing a Pahadi topi on their heads, a common attire worn by men in Uttarakhand. Sheela herself wore a nathuni in her nose and was adorned with a pichora, looking absolutely ready. Sheela Pant is quite social, loved by the community and those around her. As soon as she arrived, she inquired about everyone’s well-being, playfully scolding a few for not attending her son’s wedding and receiving respectful responses in return. It’s heartwarming to see people connect with each other on a human level.
Today, Sheela Pant will be singing Nyoli songs. Nyoli refers to a bird in the mountains. These songs depict the playful and romantic banter between lovers, their longing and the humorous exchanges between romantic partners, a tradition that has been passed down through generations. “Mere Mohna” is Sheela Pant’s favorite song, which she has sung on many prestigious stages and in All India Radio recordings. This song describes the quarrels between husband and wife. It is a romantic song that captures the playful and affectionate exchanges between lovers. It portrays their love, minor quarrels likened to fleeting moments, and a deep bond that endures, celebrating their connection and devotion.
The next song, “Ni Bas Kawa,” is a Bhitauli song. Bhitauli means to give a gift. In Kumaon, it is a tradition for the parents to visit their daughter’s in-laws every year and give her some gifts. Earlier, due to lack of resources, women couldn’t visit their parents’ home for a long time, so the girl’s father or brother would visit her every year to meet her, and this tradition is still prevalent. These songs are popular in Kumaon and are associated with this tradition. In this song, the woman remembers her family’s love and asks the crow not to peck at the grains as it reminds her of her home and she feels someone is coming from her home to meet her. She is away from them and wants to meet them.
In the first song, Sheela expressed feelings of humor and joy, while in the Bhitauli song, she presented sentiments of hardship and pain among us. This is the power of our folk songs—they reflect the laughter, happiness, sorrow, and suffering of the people in such a profound manner.
