CULTURE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

 

People and culture

Hindus make up over 96% of the state's population. Brahmins, Rajputs, Choudharies, Kannets, Rathis, and Kolis are among the significant communities. The Jadun, Tanolis, Gaddis, and Kinnars make up the tribal population. Pangawals, Lahaulis, and Gujjars. Hindus are mostly found in the lower regions during the chilly winter months, from the alpine pasture lands. The people who live in Kinnaur are called Kinnars, and they typically engage in polyandry and polygamy. The Gujjars are a predominantly Muslim group of nomads who raise buffalo herds. Buddhists make up the majority of the Lahaulis of Lahaul and Spiti and native of Spiti, Kinnaur region.There are also a certain number of Tibetans. Sikhs, Christians, and Muslims.

Many people speak the numerous Western Pahari languages, even though Hindi is the official language. While most people work in agriculture, those with higher levels of education are increasingly pursuing careers in tertiary areas. The Brahmin male wears dhoti, kurta, coat, waistcoat, turban, and hand towel in accordance with traditional clothing regulations, while the Rajput male wears tight-fitting churidar pyjamas, a long coat, and a starched turban. People's outfits have evolved over time to become more diverse. Even though the aforementioned fashion is no longer widely worn, people are starting to dress in western fashion. Slate roofs and clay brick construction characterise the average dwelling. In certain places,
wood is also used in place of the slate roof.

Arts and crafts

This state produces carpets, leather goods, shawls, metal objects, woodwork, and paintings as handicrafts. The attractive product that is much sought after throughout the nation, not just in Himachal Pradesh, is the pashmina shawl. Vibrant Himachali caps are another well-known example of folk art. A tribe known as Dom is skilled in producing bamboo furniture such as couches, chairs, baskets, and racks. Utensils, ritualistic vessels, idols, and gold and silver jewellery are examples of state-owned metalware.
The arts of weaving, carving, painting, and chiselling are regarded as integral to Himachali culture. Particularly in Kullu, Himachal is widely recognised for its shawl designs. The attractiveness of the architecture, items, stores, galleries, museums, and craftsmen lies in their variety that has been refined over time. While men are more involved in carpentry, women more involved in ceramics. In Himachal, wood has been utilised for aeons to build idols, houses, and other structures.

Music and dance

The cultural uniqueness of Himachal Pradesh is reflected in its music and dance. At festivals and other special events, people make pleas to their gods through dancing and music. Additionally, there are dances exclusive to particular parts of the state.

Himachal Pradesh is home to several dance styles, including Shunto (Lahaul & Spiti), Losar Shona Chuksam (Kinnaur), Dangi (Chamba), Gee Dance and Burah Dance (Sirmour), Naati, Kharait, Ujagjama, and Chadhgebrikar (Kullu). Nati is the primary dancing style in Himachal Pradesh. Folk music is typically preferred by the state's residents. In terms of music, Himachal Pradesh does not have any classical genres. The dancing forms of Himachali are extremely intricate and diverse. An essential component of tribal life are these dances. It exhibits the customs and culture of Himachal Pradesh. Here, a celebration is hardly complete without dancing. Throughout the region, there are various dance forms that are practiced, including Dulshol, Dharveshi, Drodi, Dev Naritya, Rakshas Nritya, Dangi, Lasa, Nati, and Nagas.

Fairs and festivals 

In addition to the numerous fairs and festivals observed throughout India, there are numerous other fairs and festivals that are held in Himachal Pradesh. The Himachalis wear vibrant clothing and accessories during these celebrations, mixing in with the rest of their relatives. The Kullu Dussehra, the Shivratri Fair (Mandi), the Shoolini Mela (Solan), the Minjar Fair (Chamba), the Mani Mahesh Chhari Yatra (Chamba), the Renuka Fair (Sirmaur), the Lavi Trade Fair (Rampur), the Vrajeshwari Fair (Kangra), the Jwalamukhi Fair (Jwalamukhi), the Holi Fair (Sujanpur Tira), and the Naina Devi Fair (Bilaspur), Fulaich {Kinnaur valley}.Temple fairs in Una District: the Peeplo Fair, the Bharoli Bhagaur Fair, the 'Mairi' Guruduwara Fair, the 'Chintpurni' temple Fair, the 'Kamakhya temple' Fair, and the yearly Himachal Hill Festival, which takes place in the village of Polian Purohitan during the fourth week of October, are among the events held in the lower regions of Himachal. Every year in mid-September, the centuries-old Sair festival[5] is mostly observed in the districts of Shimla, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, and Solan. In addition to celebrating the removal of the rakhi thread and its offering to the mother sairi, it also marks the conclusion of the crop harvest.

Food

Himachalis' daily diet is remarkably similar to that of the rest of northern India. They also eat bread, rice, veggies, lentils, broth, Rajmaha, and Sidhu. In contrast to other northern Indian states, non-vegetarian food is more popular. Red meat and wheat bread have long characterised Himachali cuisine. Many dishes start with a thick, rich sauce that is seasoned with aromatic spices. The customary meal served at weddings and other events is called dham. The traditional snack foods of the state are Babru, Tudkiya Bhath, Patrode, Cheele, and Siddu. Noodles and steamed momos, or dumplings, are now widely accessible and well-liked by tourists who wish to gradually transition to Indian cuisine.Manee, Mandra or "Madra", "Palda", "Redu" Patrode, Chouck, Bhagjery, and chutney of til (sesame seeds) are a few of Himachal Pradesh's specialties.