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Pahari culture refers to the cultural practices, traditions, Pahari painting, Pahari language, lifestyles, and social behavior of the people living in the hilly regions of northern India, Pakistan, and Nepal. The term "pahari" or "pahadi" originates from the Hindi word "pahad", denotes "mountain" or "hill", and collectively describes the Hill people, including parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and northern Pakistan, as well as the Himalayas foothills in Nepal.
Historically, pahari communities, including Bangladeshi Pahari groups—though their cultures are not extensively documented—and Indo-Aryan speaking populations developed distinct identities due to their geographical isolation. This separation encouraged the emergence of a unique art forms, folk traditions, and linguistic patterns. However, these cultures also absorbed elements from broader civilizations, including Indo-Aryan, Central Asian, and Tibetan culture.
The population comprises various , including Koli people, Dogras, , Gaddis, Bhutias, and in India, and Pahari Pashtuns and Dardistan in Pakistan. In Nepal, Pahari culture is practiced through groups like the Gurungs, Thakali people, and Tamang people. 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) Kullu language, Mandeali, Kangri language, and Chambeali. Mahasu Pahari is spoken in Shimla district and Solan district. It is divided into two subgroups Upper Mahasui and Lower Mahasui. Kochi, Sudochi, etc are dialects of Upper Mahasui which are spoken in Upper Shimla district while Keonthali, Baghati, Bagheali, Hinduri language, etc are dialects of Lower Mahasui spoken in Lower Shimla district and Solan district. Kulluvi is spoken in the Kullu Valley, while Mandeali is associated with the Mandi district, Kangri language is associated with the Kangra district, and Chambeali is native to the Chamba district region. These languages belong to the Western Pahari group and are part of the cultural identity of their respective regions.
In Uttarakhand, three major languages are prominent—Jaunsari, Kumaoni language and Garhwali. Jaunsari is spoken in Jaunsar-Bawar region in Dehradun District, it is closely related to Mahasu Pahari and Sirmauri of Himachal Pradesh. Kumaoni is spoken in the Kumaon division, covering districts such as Almora, Nainital, and Pithoragarh, while Garhwali is native to the Garhwal division, which includes areas like Dehradun, Tehri, and Pauri. Both languages belong to the Central Pahari group.
In Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir, Pahari-Pothwari serves as a significant linguistic variety. It is spoken in Azad Kashmir and in parts of northern Pakistan and regions across the Line of Control. The language features multiple dialects and acts as a linguistic link between communities on Kashmir of the Kashmir border.
These languages belong primarily to the Indo-Aryan linguistic family, with local dialects varying significantly between valleys and districts. Although many Pahari languages have not been extensively documented, the government institutions and NGOs made attempts to preserve them through literature, , and cultural programs.
Handloom weaving such as woolen , carpets, and blankets are commonly produced in the region. Kullu shawls and Chamba (handkerchief) are known for their patterns and use of natural dyes. Communities in the Pahari belt engage in woodwork and pottery such as wood carving and pottery.
Paharis native of Jammu and Kashmir districts such as Rajouri district, and Poonch observe Vaisakhi festival. It is celebrated to mark the harvest season.
Paharis in the Jammu and Kashmir observe Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr.
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. Paharis also prepare chainsoo, a lentil-based dish from the Garhwal division, Chainsoo is made from black gram (urad dal).
The cuisine of the Pahari region includes several dishes classified by the use of local , aromatic spices, and traditional cooking methods. One such dish is the pahari chicken snack, where pieces of chicken are stir-fried with a paste made from lamiaceae, coriander, garlic, and ginger. Green chilies and garam masala is also added to its flavor, which is used during colder months.
Babru is a variation of poori, prepared by adding baking powder to the dough. The dough is filled with cooked vigna mungo, the same lentil used in chainsoo, and then deep-fried for crisp texture. This dish is served on everyday meals.
Chana madra is another staple dish that involves slow-cooking chickpeas in a yogurt-based gravy. Spices like cardamom, , turmeric, and cumin impart layers of flavor, making it a prominent dish in the region's culinary repertoire.
Shakuli, a traditional papad, is made using refined flour, salt, water, and oil. The mixture is steamed and left to dry in the sun for several days. It is usually served with meals.
Aloo palda is prepared of , which are simmered in a gravy made from onions, whisked yogurt, and ground rice. The Chamba district region serves Chamba Chukh and fried fish, which features freshwater fish coated in a mixture of ginger, garlic, coriander, turmeric, and red chili powder. The fish is dipped in gram flour batter and deep-fried, resulting in a golden dish.
Trout is also a fish preparation process from the Kullu region. The trout is marinated with spices and pan-fried, usually served with hot rice. Traditional tea such as kahwa is infused with saffron, cinnamon, and almonds. People of different cultures including from paharis serve kehew. 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.
The isolation of many Pahari regions has helped preserve certain Folk costume, although modernization is gradually influencing daily life. Education, tourism, and government initiatives reportedly improved living conditions in some areas, while others continue to face challenges related to infrastructure and employment.
The decline of Pahari culture is closely tied to the diminishing use of its , which serve as carriers of the region's folklore, traditions, and modern social behavior. In regions like upper Shimla and the Shimla district area of Himachal Pradesh, these dialects are under significant pressure, primarily because they lack a writing system and formal documentation. Although the Tankri script exists, limited attempts were made to record the or cultural practices of the region. 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.
A key factor contributing to the decline is the human migration from rural areas to urban centers in search of better employment and educational opportunities. This migration has weakened intergenerational exposure to the native dialects and customs, as individuals become disconnected from their roots. Additionally, economic shifts—such as the decline in the region's apple industry—have driven many families toward the service sector, often requiring them to move away from their ancestral homes. 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.
Without written document or sufficient daily interaction with the language, the cultural bond with Pahari heritage is weakening. 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.
Pahari culture has been recognized under the UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible cultural heritage (2003), focused on preserving the cultural practices of the Pahari communities in the Himalayan region. This recognition has facilitated community-based Inventory, allowing local populations to actively document and celebrate their traditions, including folk music, dance, crafts, and languages. The UNESCO's recognition was aimed to safeguard this intangible heritage and to promote cultural exchange and inform policies that support the sustainability and resilience of Pahari cultural practices.
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