For the first time in history, the traditional Singhtu dance of the Hatti tribe from Sirmaur district in Himachal Pradesh will be showcased at the Republic Day Parade on Delhi’s Kartavya Path.
The prestigious opportunity is being facilitated by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
Vikas Thakur, a resident of culturally rich Pajjhota belt in Sirmaur, said a team of artistes from the Aasra organisation in their region will present the vibrant dance performance during the 76th Republic Day celebrations.
The cultural programme will feature over 5,000 artistes from various states and union territories with an aim to display the rich heritage of India’s folk and tribal dances.
Thakur disclosed that the Ministry of Culture had planned to register this event in the Guinness Book of World Records on January 24. The Singhtu dance will be a key highlight of the parade, with performers showcasing the iconic tiger (Sher) as the centerpiece of the performance.
In addition, masks depicting animals such as bears (Reech), monkeys (Ral and Banmanush) and birds (Panchhi) will be displayed at various locations along the parade route.
This marks the debut of Singhtu dance at the national event, providing a significant platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Sirmaur’s Hatti community.
Alongside the Singhtu performance, approximately 200 artistes will represent Himachal Pradesh in the parade through other regional dance forms, including Kullavi, Siraji and Sirmauri Nati.
The inclusion of the Singhtu dance in the Republic Day celebrations underscores the growing recognition of the unique traditions of the Hatti community, which was recently granted Scheduled Tribe status, said Thakur.
