Uttarakhand 169
vast powers for investigation and punishment in order to put a
stop to the evil practice.
Hurkiya bol, occasionally combined lewd dancing with tingling
bangles and jingling bells but now it has developed a grace and
.also some film style in the gesticulation of hip swinging Hurkiyani.
The dance movement for the best song starts with the sinuous
slightly feline elegance. A pair of piercing eyes tends to show
precarious experience in all that adds to a woman's strength.
The girls spread longing with every delicate movement of the arm
and tone of the singing voice. When I think of their love songs,
I am reminded of one such dance sequence at Lilam, while on
way to Millam.
The rhythm of joy
Hurkiya bol can be heard best at the time of sowing or har-
vesting season in Katyur valley where the old traditions still
persist. The local gods are invoked to shower best of crops
through prayers, singing and dancing. The Hurkiyas are thus much
in demand before the transplantation starts in the paddy fields
in order to propitiate Bhumiyal. The women divide themselves
into groups and start transplanting, while the Hurkiya continues
to sing with the rhythmic play of hurak. At times the lilting
tunes set the feet of the planters tapping, and sometimes the
entire group is carried away by the gay mood. The tune charms
ihe whole valley and entire Uttarakhand—
HitoDitiffito Bhina
Hito Hito Ne Bhina
Hito Hito My da Mien
Hito Didi Hito Bhina.