Pandav Lila or Pandav Nritya (Sanskrit; literally "play of the Pandavas" and "dance of the Pandavas" respectively) is a ritual re-enactment of stories from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, through singing, dancing and recitation, that is practised in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India.[1][2] Pandavas are the five protagonists in the epic and the village amateurs take on their roles and perform the lila outdoors, accompanied by the folk instruments dhol, damau and two long trumpets called bhankore.[3] The performances, which can last anywhere from three days to a month in different villages, draw large crowds and are an important cultural highlight of the year.[4] The ritualistic drama features actors who often spontaneously become "possessed" by the spirits of their characters and begin to dance.[5]

свернуть