Pahari culture
The Pahari-speaking communities reside across various ecosystems such as the lush green hills of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand to the rugged terrains of Jammu and Kashmir and northern Pakistan.
The population comprises various ethnic groups, including Kolis, Dogras, Gujjars, Gaddis, Bhutias, and Bakarwals in India, and Pahari pathans and Dards in Pakistan.
Despite differences in language and traditions, these communities share common cultural elements due to their geographic proximity and historical exchanges.
Himachal Pradesh is characterized by several Himachali languages, major of them including Mahasu Pahari (Mahasui) Kulluvi, Mandeali, Kangri, and Chambeali.
Jaunsari is spoken in Jaunsar-Bawar region in Dehradun District, it is closely related to Mahasu Pahari and Sirmauri of Himachal Pradesh.
[6] Although many Pahari languages have not been extensively documented, the government institutions and NGOs made attempts to preserve them through literature, radio broadcasts, and cultural programs.
Originating in Himachal Pradesh, Pahari paintings are renowned for their delicate brushwork, colors, and themes drawn from mythology, nature, and folklore.
In certain Pahari traditions, girls may be married at a young age, sometimes before turning 10, but they generally do not begin living with their husbands until they have reached a suitable level of adulthood.
[5] The majority of Pahari communities follow Hinduism, Islam, or Buddhism, although local animistic practices are also prevalent in remote areas.
Pahari murga dish features chicken cooked in a mixture of milk and yogurt, seasoned with spices such as coriander, ginger, garlic, cardamom, cinnamon, and fennel.
[17] The cuisine of the Pahari region includes several dishes classified by the use of local ingredients, aromatic spices, and traditional cooking methods.
Spices like cardamom, cloves, turmeric, and cumin impart layers of flavor, making it a prominent dish in the region's culinary repertoire.
[18] Siddu is another cuisine prepared by paharis and other natives of Jammu and Kashmir, steamed bread made with wheat flour and stuffed with lentils or vegetables, popular in Himachal Pradesh.
Education, tourism, and government initiatives reportedly improved living conditions in some areas, while others continue to face challenges related to infrastructure and employment.
[26][27][28] The decline of Pahari culture is closely tied to the diminishing use of its dialects, which serve as carriers of the region's folklore, traditions, and modern social behavior.
In regions like upper Shimla and the Mahasu area of Himachal Pradesh, these dialects are under significant pressure, primarily because they lack a standardized script and formal documentation.
For centuries, the transmission of Pahari dialects, ballads, and folk tales has relied on oral methods, which are now being disrupted by modern lifestyle changes.
[29] As a result, the younger generation is increasingly adopting Hindi and English as primary languages, particularly in family settings, further eroding the use of Pahari dialects.
As fewer people engage with their native dialects, the risk of cultural erosion grows, leading to the gradual decline of both the language and the traditions it encapsulates.
This recognition has facilitated community-based inventorying processes, allowing local populations to actively document and celebrate their traditions, including folk music, dance, crafts, and languages.
