Folk Songs of Uttarakhand had its root in the lap of nature. It has seen various phases of growth and has undergone lots of transformation during the course of time. It speaks about various festivals, religious traditions, folk stories and simple life of the people of Uttarakhand. Bajuband, Basanti, Chhopati, Chhura, Chounphula and Jhumeila, Jagars, Mangal, Puja Folk Songs are some of the folk songs sung in Uttarakhand.
Bajuband
This is a folk song of love and sacrifice between the shepherds. It is a love dialogue between the man and woman or between a boy and girl which is sung in the form of a folk song.
Basanti
‘Basanti’ folk songs are composed for the coming spring season when flowers bloom and new life spring in the valleys of the hills of Garhwal. The folk song is sung individually or in groups.
Chhura
‘Chhura’ folk songs are sung among shepherds in the form of advice given by the old to youngsters, having learnt it out of their experience, particularly in grazing sheep and goats.
Chhopati
These are the folk songs popular in Rawain-Jaunpur area of Tehri Garhwal. ‘Chhopati’ are the love songs sung between the men and women in the form of questions and answers.
Puja Folk Songs
These songs are connected with the Puja (worship) of family deities. There are other Puja songs connected with ‘Tantra’ and ‘Mantras'.