Reviving ‘Bhailoo,’ a fading Bagwaal (Diwali) tradition

Contributing to Art and Culture of Uttarakhand

Proud of my roots and deeply connected to the cultural fabric of Uttarakhand, I have always felt a strong responsibility to preserve and celebrate the traditions I grew up with. For me, culture is not something ceremonial - it is lived, shared, and sustained through community participation and everyday practices.

In 2017 and 2018, I organised ‘Bhailoo’, a fading tradition linked to Bagwaal (Diwali) in the hills of Uttarakhand, as part of the Mussoorie Winterline Carnival. The intention was simple yet urgent: to revive a practice that was slowly disappearing and bring it into a contemporary public space where it could be seen, heard, and experienced again. Watching people — especially younger audiences — engage with this ritual reaffirmed my belief that traditions survive when they are allowed to evolve and find new platforms.

My work also extended to celebrating the food traditions of the hills. I brought together a group of local women from villages across Uttarakhand who had migrated to Mussoorie in search of livelihood opportunities. I helped facilitate their participation in the Uttarakhand Food Festival and supported them in setting up a stall of traditional local cuisine at the Winterline Carnival. This initiative was as much about preserving regional flavours as it was about enabling economic independence.

The food festival is now one of the most popular features of the The Winterline Carnival

What began as a festival collaboration with the group, I began with, gradually grew into a sustainable collective. The women continue to cook and supply authentic Uttarakhandi food on order, keeping traditional recipes alive while building a steady source of income. One of their regular patrons is former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Mr. Harish Rawat, whose continued support has been deeply encouraging.

In 2023, my efforts towards contributing to my state were recognised with the Bhagirathi Samman at Gaon Wapsi Samvad, held at Herwal Gaon, Tehri — an honour that reaffirmed my commitment to giving back to Uttarakhand in meaningful and lasting ways.

Ek Aur Vartalap With Prachi Raturi Misra|Uttrakhand Cuisine - YouTube