Vaishali Guleria :-
Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of life, we stray far from our mountains, our culture, our original identity. Then, when the beat of the dhol resonates, we remember that culture, laughing and smiling to that beat, dancing to that beat. Perhaps this is the feeling when we understand the true significance of our culture. Our culture becomes more understandable when we have moved away from it. It is not right to call Naati a folk dance; it is the soul of Himachal. It is not right to limit it only to song and music. It is a medium to demonstrate the simplicity, collectivity, and closeness of our society. Whether it is man or woman, elderly or young, child or adult, everyone joins hands and forms a circle. We live the tradition and relationship that connects humanity. It symbolizes “oneness” about which the Upanishads say that truth is one but can be known in many forms. In Naati, one can also feel the message, “Many people, one rhythm.” This is the balance of life, where unity in diversity is visible.
Himachali Naati is proof that dance and music are not just a medium of entertainment but the language of the soul. With every heartbeat, we communicate with the air, water, trees, and soil. According to this concept, we can say that the individual is not the master of creation, but a part of it. Whenever we dance together in Naati, the distance between “I” and “we” disappears. The basic idea of Bhartiy Sanskrit is that nature, society, and the individual are all intertwined at the same point, tied to a single thread. We can see that in today’s fast-paced world, this rhythm seems to be gradually disappearing. The beat of the dhols is drowned out by the sound of machines. Individualism has replaced collectivity in our daily routine.
Human existence is not just connected to the ego, but to the whole, as Naati reminds us. It brings us together.
Only when we are in harmony with others—just as every step in Naati is in harmony—can life be happy. Philosophically, “what makes a man human is culture.” Naati celebrates this very humanity. There is no division or discrimination. Everyone participates equally, and it teaches us equality, love, and togetherness.
In the modern age, it is essential for us to see our traditions as both a part of the past and a guide for the present. Folk culture should be taught in schools for children to understand their roots. Culture is a living consciousness, not a fading memory. Whenever a dance strikes a chord, it reminds us that our souls still beat to the same rhythm; we just need to rediscover it.
