Kumaoni people

Kumaoni/Kumauni
(कुमाँऊनी)

Regions with significant populations
Primary populations in: Uttarakhand Populations in: Uttarakhand Uttar Pradesh Himachal Pradesh Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh Delhi Other: Nepal United States United Kingdom Australia
Languages
Kumaoni
Religion
Hinduism, Buddhism
Related ethnic groups
Indo-Aryans, Chettris and Bahuns of Nepal, Rajputs, Brahmins

Kumauni or Kumaoni (कुमाँऊनी) are people from Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India. They include all those who speak the Kumaoni language or any of its numerous dialects, including Dotiyali and Baitada dialects spoken in the Doti region of Nepal. There is evidence that the hills of Kumaon have been inhabited by mankind for millennia, and the people of Kumaon today are the descendants of different waves of migration to these hills which took place over centuries. The tough mountain terrain and the hardships of life gave the Kumaoni people a character which they are reknowned for simple at heart, honest, but fiercely loyal and full of valour and courage these have been the traits of the Kumaoni people. They were the part of the North-Indian military class and military service was treated as an occupation pased on from father to son. Thier long history of conflict with the neighbouring Kingdoms of Garhwal, Nepal, Tibet and the Muslim Dynasties of Delhi made them battle hardened and it is hardly surprising that the British conferred upon them the title of martial race and recruited heavily from them the result was the Kumaon Regiment which has served India with its blood in various wars and made motherland Kumaun Proud. The modern Kumauni is in all its ways similar to any other Indian a blende of modern and old, with old practices holding as much sway as the new. Indian Army still provides much employment but the Kumaonis have progressed with time and adopted different profession and proved themselves in every field.

Etymology

The word "Kumaon" can be traced back to the 5th century BC. The Kassite Assyrians left their homeland 'Kummah', on the banks of river Euphrates,and settled in the northern part of India. These inhabitants formed Koliyan tribe and having their new settlement as Kumaoon. Lord Buddha's mother, Mayabati belonged to this clan. Although this theory does not seem true considering the fact the distance between these two places is about 2000 miles and this region was already populated at this time (ruled by Kunindas dynasty).

Another version of the origin is that word Kumaon is believed to have been derived from "Kurmanchal", meaning land of the Kurmavatar (the tortoise incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver according to Hindu mythology). The region of Kumaon is named after as such.

History

1905 illustration of a Kumaoni Woman .

In the ancient period between 1300 A.D. to 1400 A.D, after the disintegration of katyuri kingdom of uttarakhand, eastern region of uttarakhand (Kumaon and Far-Western Region of Nepal which was a part of Uttarakhand then), divided into eight different princely states i.e., 1.Baijnath-Katyuri, 2.Dwarhat, 3. Doti , 4.Baramandal, 5.Askot, 6.Sira, 7.Sora, 8.Sui (Kali kumaon). Latter on, in 1581 A.D after had a defeat of Raika Hari Mall (maternal uncle of Rudra chand) with the hand of Rudra Chand all these disintegrated parts came under King Rudra chand and the whole region was named as kumaon .

Katyuri Raj

Main article: Katyuri Kings

The Katyuri dynasty was of a branch of Kunindas origin and was founded by Vashudev Katyuri. Originally, from Joshimath, during their reign they dominated lands of varying extent from the 'Katyur' (modern day Baijnath) valley in Kumaon, between 7th and 11th centuries AD, and established their capital, at Baijnath in Bageshwar district, which was then known as Kartikeyapura and lies in the centre of 'Katyur' valley.Brahmadev mandi in Kanchanpur District of Nepal was established by Katyuris king Brahma deo. At their peak, the Katyuri kingdom extended from Nepal in the east to Kabul, Afghanistan in the west, before fragmenting into numerous principalities by 12th century. They were displaced by the Chand Kings in 11th century AD. Architectural remains of the Katyur dynasty's rule can be found in Baijnath and Dwarahat. The Rajbar dynasty of Askot in Pithoragarh, was set up in the 1279 AD., by a branch of the Katyuri Kings, headed by Abhay Pal Deo, who was the grandson of Katyuri king, Brahm Deo . The dynasty ruled the relion till, it became part of the British Raj through the treaty of Sighauli in 1816.

Chand Raj

Main article: Chand Kings

The Chand kingdom was established by Som Chand, who came here from Kannuaj near Allahabad, sometime in the 10th century [1], and displaced the Katyuri Kings (कत्यूरी नरेश), originally from Katyur valley near Joshimath, who had been ruling the area from 7th century AD. He continued to call his state Kurmanchal, and established its capital in Champawat in Kali Kumaon, called so, due to its vicinity to river Kali. Many temples built in this former capital city, during the 11th and 12th century exist today, this include the Baleshwar and Nagnath temples. They had brief stints with the Rajput clans in Gangoli and Bankot then predominant there the Mankotis of Mankot, the Pathni/Pathanis of Attigaon-Kamsyar, Kalakotis and many other Khas Rajput Clans of the region. However they were able to establish their domain there. One of most powerful ruler of Chand dynasty was Baz Bahadur (1638-78) AD., who met Shahjahan in Delhi, and in 1655 joined forces with him to attack Garhwal, which was under its king, Pirthi Sah, and subsequently captured the Terai region including Dehradun, which was hence separated from the Garhwal kingdom. Baz Bahadur extended his territory east to karnali river. In 1672, Baz Bahadur, started a poll tax, and its revenue was sent to Delhi as a tribute. Baz Bahadur also built the Golu Devata Temple, at Ghorakhal, near Bhimtal [1], after Lord Golu, a general in his army, who died valiantly at war [9]. He also built famous Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple at Bhimtal [10]. Towards the end of 1600s, Chand Rajas again attacked Garhwal kingdom, and in 1688, Udyot Chand, erected several temples at Almora, including Tripur Sundari, Udyot Chandeshwer and Parbateshwer, to mark his victory over Garhwal and Doti, the Pabateshwar temple was renamed twice, to become the present Nanda Devi temple [11]. Later, Jagat Chand (1708-20), defeated the Raja of Garhwal and pushed him away from Srinagar, and his kingdom was given to a Brahmin [12]. However, a subsequent king of Garhwal, Pradip Shah (1717-72), regained control over Garhwal and retained Doon till 1757, when Rohilla leader, Najib-ul-Daula, established himself there, though he was ousted soon by Pradip Shah.

Raikas Of Doti

Niranjan Malldeo was the founder of Doti Kingdom around 13th century after a fall of Katyuris Kingdom. He was the son of Last Katyuris of united Katyuris kingdom. Kings of Doti were known as Raikas. Latter on Raikas, after overthrow Khas Malla of Karnali Zone, were able to form a strong Raikas Kindom in Far Western Region and Kumaun which was called Doti. So far, the historical evidence of following Raikas have been discovered;Niranjan Malldev (Founder of Doti Kingdom), Nagi Malla (1238 A.D.), Ripu Malla (1279 A.D.), Nirai Pal (1353 A.D. may be of Askot and his historical evidence of 1354 A.D has been found in Almoda), Nag Malla (1384 A.D.), Dhir Malla (1400 A.D.), Ripu Malla (1410 A.D.), Anand Malla (1430 A.D.), Balinarayan Malla (not known), Sansar Malla (1442 A.D.), Kalyan Malla (1443 A.D.), Suratan Malla (1478 A.D.), Kriti Malla(1482 A.D.), Prithivi Malla (1488 A.D.), Medini Jay Malla (1512 A.D.), Ashok Malla (1517 A.D.), Raj Malla (1539 A.D.), Arjun Malla/Sahi (not known but he was ruling Sira as Malla and Doti as Sahi), Bhupati Malla/Sahi (1558 A.D.), Sagaram Sahi (1567 A.D.), Hari Malla/Sahi (1581 A.D. Last Raikas King of Sira and adjoining part of Nepal ), Rudra Sahi (1630 A.D.), Vikram sahi (1642 A.D.), Mandhat sahi (1671 A.D.), Raghunath sahi sahi (1690 A.D.), Hari sahi (1720 A.D.), Krishna Sahi (1760 A.D.), Deep sahi (1785 A.D.), Prithivi pati Sahi (1790 A.D., 'he had fought against Nepali ruler with British in 1814 A.D')

Gorkha Rule and its Defeat

For some time the region was ruled by the Gorkhas. But People of Kumaon fought them valiantly with their courage, wisdom and their ever indomitable spirit.

The people of Kumaon sued the British many times to help them overthrow the Gorkha rule. According to folklore when a British official was saved from the prison of the Tibetan Jongpong(Governor)of Taklakot in Tibet by some Kumaonis he pursued their case with the Resident at Delhi and convinced him to attack the Gorkhas in Kumaon. 4000 Kumaoni braves under Harakh Dev Joshi a cheiftain of the Chand King (who was initailly held responsible for the Gorkha invasion) joined the British.

The British had so far been severely routed by the Gorakhas at several places (like the Battle of Jaithak and Malaun). But now the joint forces of Kumaonis and British struck the Gorkhas. Battle of Syahidevi resulted in a complete route of the Gorkhas at the hands of the British assisted by the Kumaonis, , the Gorkha Subba(Governor) fled and so did their commanders, Almora was liberated

The Gorkhas, who earlier seemed invincible , were finally defeated and the way for the liberation of Garhwal from the oppressive Gorkha rule was opened.

The British realised through this war the potential of military expertise of these hilmen. Inspired by their bravery the British granted on the people of Kumaon the title of martial race.They heavily recruited from them and the result was the Kumaon Regiment (Earlier the Hyderabad Regiment which consisted mostly of Kumaonis).

British Raj

Later, the region was annexed by the British in 1815, and was governed for seventy years on the non-regulation system by three administrators, Mr. Traill, Mr J. H. Batten and Sir Henry Ramsay. In 1891 the division was composed of the three districts of Kumaon, Garhwal and the Tarai; but the two districts of Kumaon and the Tarai were subsequently redistributed and renamed after their headquarters, Nainital and Almora.

Martial Race

Kumaonis have been famous for their valour, their courage was legendary, their honour indomitable. The Kumaonis were never fully subjugated by the powerful Muslim dynasties of Delhi. Kumaonis were observed by the British , their valour was thus given recognition by the British and were included in the British Army. It is interesting to note that the 3rd Gorkha Rifles was known as the Keemaon battalion when it was formed and it included Kumaonis as well as the Garhwalis along with the Gorkhas. The Kumaonis, once accepted as a martial race, were themselves to be recruited in the Hyderabad regiment and displace the native troops, ultimately becoming the Kumaon Regiment after Independence of India. The Kumaon Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its origins with the British Indian Army and has fought in various campaigns including the two world wars. After independence, the regiment has fought in all major conflicts involving India. They showed their exceptional courage in the Indo-Chinese War, the Battle of Rezang La has been proverbial for valour.

Language

Their Kumaoni language forms the Central subgroup of the Pahari languages.

Kumaoni is one of the 325 recognized Indian languages, and is spoken by over 2,360,000 (1998) people of Indian states of Uttarakhand - Almora, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Champawat, Rudrapur (Udhamsingh Nagar) districts; Assam; Bihar; Delhi; Madhya Pradesh; Maharashtra and Punjab, besides being spoken in some regions of Himachal Pradesh and Nepal.

Amongst its dialects, the Central Kumauni is spoken in Almora and northern Nainital, Northeastern Kumauni is in Pithoragarh, Southeastern Kumauni is in Southeastern Nainital, Western Kumauni is west of Almora and Nainital.

Dialects of Kumaon region

Almost all people who can speak and understand Kumaoni can speak and understand Hindi also. This is one of the dialects which is shrinking very rapidly and becoming out of fashion. Most of the educated people who live in cities hardly speak Kumaoni and in most cases parents still speak and understand Garhwali but their children cannot. In many cases children can understand it well but can not speak it. A very common scenario in Kumaon is that a person from older generation communicates to a young fellow from two generations younger in Kumaoni and he or she gets reply in Hindi. Middle generation communicates in both Kumaoni and Hindi. Although it is easy to write Kumaoni in Devnagri script, there is not much literature available in Kumaoni and whatever is available is not popular.

In all, there are 20 dialects spoken in the Kumaon region, including, Johari, Majh Kumaiya, Danpuriya, Askoti, Sirali, Soryali, Chaugarkhyali, Kumaiya, Gangola, Khasparjia, Phaldakoti, Pachhai, and Rauchaubhaisi.

Dialects of Kumaoni Language

• Kali Kumaon, Central Kumaoni
• North-Eastern Kumaoni
• South-Eastern Kumaoni
• Western Kumaoni
• Askoti of Askot
• Bhabhri of Rampur
• Chaugarkhiyali
• Danpuriya of Danpur
• Gangoli of Ganai-Gangoli
• Johari of Malla and Talla Johar
• Khasparjiya of Almora
• Kumaiyya
• Pachhai of Pali-Pachhau
• Pashchimi
• Phaldakotiya of Phaldkot
• Rhau-Chaubyaisi of Upper Himalayan Valleys
• Sirali of Sirakot
• Soriyali of Sor Valley (Pithoragarh)
• Baitada of Baitadi district of Nepal
• Dotiyali of Doti in Nepal

Culture

Religion

The culture of the present Kumaon is a blend of influences from the indigenous population as well as from the immigrants to this region. Consequently, the myths, dialects, languages, folk literature, festivals, fairs and forms of artistic expression are examples of the creative influences of the different cultural groups that constitute Kumaon.

Every peak, lake or mountain range is somehow or the other connected with some myth or the name of a God or Goddess, ranging from those associated with the Shaiva, Shakta and Vaishnava traditions, to local Gods like Ham, Saim, Golla, Chhurmal, Kail Bisht, Bholanath, Gangnath, Airy and Chaumu. Temples are dedicated to the nine famous Goddesses, other local Goddesses, Bhairava, Surya:. and Ganesh. The temples at Jageshwar, Bageshwar, Binsar, Thalkedar, Rameshwar, Pancheshwar, Baijnath and Gananath are devoted to Lord Shiva. The temples of Devidhura, Gangolihat, Pumagiri, Almora, Nainital, Kot Ki Mai and Kotgari Devi are associated with the Shakt tradition, while the region of Lohaghat - Champawat (Mount Kandeo) is associated with Kunna Avatar. This region also has two famous Sun temples.

According to Atkinson there were 35 Vaishnava and 250 Shaiva temples in British Kumaon. Eight Vaishnava and 64 Shaiva temples were dedicated to the Shakti or female form alone.

Although Lord Shiva's influence prevailed throughout Kumaon, mainly because of its proximity to the region of Panchkedars and Kailash - Mansarovar, this did not in any way hamper the influence of the local folk Gods and Goddesses. Although the tales of Nanda Devi and Naina Devi have now been linked together, they began as two different stories.

Local Dieties

• Naina Devi

Naina Devi is a name for the Goddess Parvati. According to the Jagars Naina Devi was established in Kumaon by the Katyuri queen Jiya Rani. On the other hand there is a myth which talks of Sati's committing suicide by jumping into a sacrificial fire, when she and Lord Shiva were insulted by her father Dakshaprajapati during a Yajnya, to which Shiva and Sati had not been invited in the first place. The myth goes on to say that while Shiva was taking Sati's body away, her eye fell down at a spot near the temple of Pashan Devi in Nainital. Therefore, according to myth Naina Devi is none other than the goddess Parvati. (It is the story that Sati was reborn as Parvati).

• Nanda Devi

Nanda Devi is the Greek Goddess 'Nana', who came to the Himalaya with the Indo - Greeks and Kushan Kings. However, the fact remains that Nanda Devi is typically a Kumaoni goddess and most popular in the region. Referring to the rich religious myths and lores associated with Uttaranchal, E.T. Atkinson has said: To the beliefs of the great majority of Hindus, the Kumaon (Himalaya) is what Palestine is to the Christian.

• Bholanath

Bholanath is the most popular and revered folk god of Kumaon. He is said to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. According to legend, the Chand King, Udai Chand, disinherited his elder son because of his bad habits and gave the Kingdom to his younger son. After wandering for a long time the elder son came with his pregnant wife and settled down near Almora. The King had both of them executed. The son, his wife and their unborn child became ghosts and people started worshipping them. The original temple of Bholanath is at Champawat.

• Goljyun

Gwalla is also called Goljyun Golla or Golu. Banners and flags are hung up over many temples in honour of Gwalla. There are Gwalla temples at Champawat, Chitai and Ghorakhal, although the temple at Chitai is the most famous of them. The story about Gwalla talks of a local king who, while hunting, sent his servants to look for water. The servants disturbed a woman who was praying. The woman, in a fit of anger, taunted the king that he could not separate two fighting bulls and proceeded to do so herself. The king was very impressed by this deed and he married the lady. When this queen got a son, the other queens, who were jealous of her, placed a pumpkin in its place and the child in a cage and put the cage into the river. The child was brought up by a fisherman. When the boy grew up he took a wooden horse to the river and on being questioned by the queens he replied that if women can give birth to pumpkins then wooden horses can drink water. When the king heard about this, he punished the guilty queens and crowned the boy, who went on to be known as Gwalla devata.

• Gangnath

Gangnath's story is like the story of Bholanath. Gangnath was the son of king Vaibhav Chand of Doti (Western Nepal). He fought with his father and left his house when he fell in love with a Joshi Brahmin lady Bhana. Bhana's father/husband got Gangnath murdered by a blacksmith. When Gangnath took to harming people, they started worshipping him and Bhana. The jagar singers of Kumaon often tell tales about the love affair of Gangnath and Bhana. Gangnath temples are spread all over Kumaon.

• Airy

Airy, whose eyes are said to be on the top of his head, is worshipped like the God Shani. His attendants, "Sau" and "Bhau" ride on dogs. Airy is said to take care of animals and it is in this form that he is worshipped. There are numerous temples of Airy in Kumaon but the main temple is at Byandhura.

• Kail Bisht

Kail Bisht is said to be a generous folk god. The temple of this flute playing God is near Binsar. The story goes that Shrikrishna Pandey was given false reports about a love affair between his wife and a brave Rajput shepherd Kallu (Kail Bisht). The matter was brought before the king, who refused to have Kail Bisht executed when he saw the impression of a trident on Kail Bisht’s forehead and that of a Kadamb flower on his feet. However, later on Kallu was murdered by deception.

• Chaumu

This god is worshipped as a protector of animals particularly in the Jhulaghat-Pancheswar region. There is a story about a man who was going to Champawat with a Shivlinga in his turban. When he stopped to drink water he placed his turban on the road, but he could not pick it up again. Later on people started worshipping this spot. Bells and milk are offered in the temples of Chaumu at Chaupakhia (Wadda, Pithoragarh), Chamdeval (Pulla, Champawat), Pancheswar, Thathgaon (Almora), Dhamkuri, Surar and Santola (all in Nepal). These are basically the seats of seven brothers. Chamdeval is the principal seat of Chaumu.

• Haru

Harish Chandra was a famous king of Champawat, who after his death was worshipped as the folk god Haru. Haru's mother's name was Kainar and he is said to be Gwall' s maternal uncle. The temples of Haru and Saim, the god of boundaries, are generally together.

Besides these, many other folk gods are worshipped in Kumaon e.g. Bhumia, Balchan, Nagnath, Bhandari Golla, Badhan, Narsingh, Lataul, Gabla, Chhurmal etc. Anyari and Ujyali are the popular goddesses. Garh Devis are to be found in cremation grounds and are worshipped on the night of Amavasya. There are also divinities like fairymothers or Parima who are worshipped

Although Bafaul, Ramol, Sangram Karki are also mentioned as folk heroes, they are not treated like gods.

Lifestyle

At all auspicious occasions tilak made out of processed turmeric with akshat (Pithya) is put on the forehead. Village ladies are seen with a long pithya starting from the upper nose up to forehead. Various superstitions exists as common throughout the country. A black spot is put on the forehead of a child to ward away from evil spirits . Courtesy calls are made on days other than Tuesday and Saturday. Mourning calls are made exclusively on Tuesday and Saturdays. Visit to sick persons are not made on Tuesdays , Thursdays and Saturdays. Females do not pay visit to their mothers on Thursday. Elders are greeted by touching their feet with ovation of pailagon and responded by chirinjivi bhav or saubhagyavati bhav.Others are greeted with folded hands using Namaskar . Married women put round ingoor or sindoor on their forehead . On special occasions married women wear huge golden nose ring called nath. Black beaded ( Chareu) garland on their neck is considered to be the pious symbol of leading a married life for a woman. Golden necklace is commonly used but poor people use silver in the neck known as Hansuli. So far as the usual dress is concerned females wear sari but there is still a longing for the conventional dress of ghaghara-pichora . Every lady keeps it ready for ceremonial occasions. People live in houses made out of stone or bricks. Few old constructions are made out of wood also. Wood carvings which was very common in the past are now very rare. In Kumaon, roofs have slopes and roofing is done with the help of tin or slates of stone. In villages, animals live in ground floor called Goth and human beings in first floor. Hill temples are the monuments having mixture of deep sense of art and culture. Sculpture varies with the time of inception of the temple. The mode of worship is also different in many aspects from that of plains. These temples act as the nucleus of the social and cultural activities.Kumaon people orgnise Jagars to please local deities.Golu, Bholanath, Sam, Aidi, Gangnath are some of the local deities

Fairs and Festivals

After harvesting season people mostly relax, rejoice, dance and sing thus a festival is generated. At the transition of sun from one constellation to another Sankranti is observed. Each Sankranti has a fair or festival connected to it somewhere in Kumoun. Fooldeyi, Bikhauti, Harela, Ghee Sankranti, Khatarua, Uttaraini are the mostly observed Sankranties throughout the region. Other festivals have the bearings in the moon and the dates changed frequently in Gregorian Calendar. Basant Panchami, Shiv Ratri, Holi, Samvatsar Parwa, Ram Navami, Dashra, Batsavitri, Rakshabandhan, Janmastmi, Nandastmi, Deepawali etc are some of the auspicious occasions. Fairs are organised on these occasions on certain places. The Uttaraini Mela at Chitrashila near Ranibag is observed on Makar Sankranti Day (Approx. 14th January). Kumaoni people feed the crows on Uttaraini day by saying ‘Khale Kaua khale Ghughuti Bada Khale’ .On Buddha Purnima Day, in the month of May there is festivity near Budhansthli, while Bhimtal observes Harela Mela on 16th or 17th of July. Baishakhi Purnima day brings rejoicing near Lokhamtal while Kainchi temple premises is gay on 15th June. Kakrighat has Somnath Fair on the last Monday of Baishakh, Garjia is full of festivity on Kartik Purnima day in the month of November. Nandashtami Festival is observed with full devotion in the district, fairs are organised at Nainadevi temple Almora, Nainital,Bhowali and Kot Bhramri. Dwarahat Bikhauti fair, Sor valley's Hilljatra fair, Ganai-Gangoli's Baurani fair are other important fairs. The Kumaoni people use the fortnight of Shradha in late September or early October to remember their passed away ancestors.

Music

Kumaoni folk music had its root in the lap of nature. The pure and blessed music have the feel and the touch of nature and subjects related to nature. The folk music primarily is related to the various festivals, religious traditions, folk stories and simple life of the people of Kumaon. Thus the songs of Kumaoni are a true reflection of the Cultural Heritage and the way people lives their lives in the Himalayas.

There are many kinds of folk songs from the area, including ceremonial mandals, martial panwaras and melancholy khuded, thadya and jhoda.

Musical instruments used in Kumaon music include the dhol, damoun, turri, ransingha, dholki, daur, thali, bhankora and masakbhaja. Tabla and harmonium are also used, but to a lesser extent.

The Music and its development have seen various phases of growth and have undergone lots of transformation during the course of time.

The earliest of the singers who left never ending impressions on the folk music of Kumaon were :

1.The most famous personality associated with Kumaoni Folk Music is Shri Mohan Upreti, who is known for his Nanda Devi Jagar & Rajula Malu Shahi Ballad.

He is famous for the great Kumaoni song Bedu Pako Baro Masa which for many years the identity of the hills of Uttarakahand. It is said this song was also a favourite of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru who heard it in a band march as this song is also apopular marching song.

2. Shri Gopal Babu Goswami who is considered to be a legend in Kumaon for his melodious voice.

His songs on the life of the members of the armed forces and their families like Kaile baje muruli , Ghughuti na basa and many others are legendary, it is said that when these songs were transmitted on All India Radio women with their husbands could not help but weep when they heard the soul touching voice of Gopal Da as he was lovingly called.

3. Shri Heera Singh Rana is identified as a singer and asocial activist whose songs tell the tale of the pain of the people of the hills .

Some of the hit songs / albums being Fauji Lalit Mohan Joshi's "Maya Ki Yaad", "Tak Taka Kamla" and many other hit albums / songs

Jagara, tales of bravery is most important culture in Kumaon since Katyuri period. Shri Jhusia Damai of Baskot of Baitadi District (now in Dharchula india) is famous Jagar singer.

Films

• Megha Aa, (First Kumaoni Film) . Director Kaka Sharma, Produced S S Bisht, 1987
• Teri Saun, (First film both in Kumaoni and Garhwali) , written, produced, and directed by Anuj Joshi , 2003.
• Aapun Biraan (Apne Paraye) by Shri Kartikey Cine Productions. Produced By Bhaskar Singh Rawat. 2007. Cell No. -> '9412044393'.
• Madhuli by Anamika Film, 2008 .

Theatre

Kumaoni theatre which developed through its 'Ramleela' plays, later evolved into a modern theatre form with the efforts of theatre stalwarts like Mohan Upreti and Dinesh Pandey, and groups like 'Parvatiya Kala Kendra' (started by Mohan Upreti) and 'Parvatiya Lok Kala Manch'

Radio

• Trans World Radio (USA) - 7320 Hz (Shortwave)

Cuisine

Kumaoni food is very simple but very nutritious completely suits the hard environment. Pulses like gehet are fashioned into different preparations like ras-bhaat, chains, faanda and thatwaani all are unique preparations from the same pulse. Jholi or curry seasoned with curd. Chudkani and jola made from bhatt pulses. Cereals like mandua with rice and wheat are popular.

List of Kumaoni peolple

Politics

• Shri Govind Ballabh Pant (Bharat Ratna)
• Shri Bhairab Dutt Pandey
• Sheila Irene Pant (Pakistan)
• ShriNarayan Dutt Tiwari
• Shri Murli Manohar Joshi
• Shri Krishan Chandra Pant
• Shrimati Ila Pant
• Shri Pratap Singh Bisht
• Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari
• Shri Harish Chandra Singh Rawat
• Shri Kashi Singh Aiery
• Shri Baalam Singh Janauti
• Shri Bipin Chandra Tripathi
• Shri K.C. Singh Baba
• Shri Bachi Singh Rawat

Administration

• Babu Tej Singh Negi, (British time Administrator)
• Shri Sobhan Singh Jeena, (Lawyer)
• Shri R.S. Toliya, (I.A.S.)
• Shri B.R. Tamta, (I.A.S.)
• Shri B.D. Sanwal, (I.A.S.)
• Shri Mukul Sanwal, (I.A.S.)
• Shri Leela Singh Bisht, (Police Commissioner)
• Shri Hukum Singh Rana
• Shri A.S. Gusain

Scientists and Scholars

The pundit (explorer) cartographer Nain Singh Rawat (19th century CE) received a Royal Geographical Society gold medal in 1876.

• Pundit Nain Singh Rawat, (Surveyor)(first to do a survey of Tibet)
• Pundit Krishna Singh Rawat, (Surveyor)
• Dr. D.D. Pant, (Physicist)
• Dr. K.S. Valdiya, (Geologist), (Padma Shri)
• Dr. Hemant Joshi, (linguist)
• Dr. Shekhar Pathak, (Historian),(Padma Shri)
• Dr. Ajay Rawat, (Historian)

Sports

File:Stumping edited.jpg

Mahendra Singh Dhoni stumps a South African batsman during a match in Chennai in 2008.

• Bachendri Pal (first Indian woman to climb Mt. Everest)
• Shri Hukum Singh Pangti, (Mountaineer) (Climbed all major peaks in the world)
• Mahendra Singh Dhoni
• Madhumita Bisht, (Badminton)

Arts, Films and Drama

• Shri Mohan Upreti, (Theatre)
• Shri B.M. Shah, (Theatre)
• Shri Jhusia Damai
• Mohan Bhandari
• Nirmal Pandey
• Prasoon Joshi
• Manish Sahi

Nobel Prizewinners

• Rajendra Kumar Pachauri (born August 20, 1940, Nainital, India) is an economist who has served as the chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) since 2002.
• Sir Ronald Ross born in Almora, Kumaon (13 May 1857 – 16 September 1932) was an Anglo-Indian physician.

Military

File:Gen b c joshi.jpg

General Bipin Chandra Joshi

• General B.C. Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, ADC COAS
• Major Manoj Bhandari
• Major H. S.Dhaila
• Major Shaitan Singh
• Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari
• Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat MVC

Literature and Art

File:Sumitranandan Pant, (1900 - 1977).jpg

Sumitranandan Pant (1900-1977).

• Gumani
• Gourda
• Sumitra Nandan Pant
• Shivani
• Manohar Shyam Joshi
• Sher Da Anpad
• Mrinal Pande
• Dev Singh Pokhariya
• Shailesh Matiyani
• Shekhar Joshi
• Himanshu Joshi

See also

• Famous kumaonis
• Maneaters of Kumaon
• Chand Kings
• Kumaoni
• Martial Race
• Garhwal

External links

• Official site of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) for tourist information
• Brief History of kumaon
• Information on Kumaon Region and Community
• Trip to Binsar and the Kumaon Region