Folk Music of Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh has its own identity for its rich culture of music and dance. It is the integral part of the life of Himachalis. There is no classical form of music in this state but plenty of folk music can be heard which are best performed by the people of a particular area. The folk songs of Himachal Pradesh lure through the green valleys. They are indirectly around daily chores and are a retreat after a hard day’s work. The state of Himachal Pradesh encompasses, within its vicinity, many remote areas. Such areas use traditional ways of living far from the modern day hustle and bustle. For these simple people, simple are the ways of life, simple is their music. Most of the Himachali folk songs require no such instruments to accompany. They are sung to the heart’s delight that renders the uniqueness. The emotions burst out in them for making the songs soul-touching.
The music of Himachal Pradesh is synonymous with the various events and happenings in the day to day life of the people. There is no classical form of music, but they have the folk kind that you will surely want to be a part of. However, while mentioning the songs of the state one cannot miss the Samskara song, that is a special song that belongs to the genre of Indian classical form of music. The subject of these folk lores shift according to the seasons and there is a song for almost all the occasions. The main subject of these songs are romance, stories of war and gallantry, seasonal variation, to name a few. Child birth as well as mournings too are common. Some of the commonly sung songs are Chhinj, Laman, Jhoori, Gangi, Mohana and Tappe, that are love songs. Dholru is a seasonal song while Bare – Haren are ballads about warriors and Soohadiyan are the songs that are sung at Childbirth. Losi, Pakkahad and Suhaag are all family songs and Karak are songs of praise in the honour of the deities. Alhaini on the other hand is a song of mourning.
Sung in unison, these songs do follow a pattern as per the singer who decides how and which way the notes and syllables are to be pronounced.The songs of Himachal Pradesh are the specialty and identity of tribal culture that reside in the people of the state.
Styles :
Jhoori :
This is the sing dance song that is supposed to be connected with Jhoomer, which is a female dance form. The theme of this folk lore is extra marital affair and it is performed outdoors. Dominantly sung in the areas of Sirmaur and Mahasu you should notice the special rhythm of the song. A huge emphasis is laid on the rhythmic pattern of the song that comprises four lines where the last syllable in the first line is articulated in a prolonged manner.
Laman
This is the song of Kullu district that symbolizes romantic emotions among the men and women. These songs are sung by women of the higher status during the mornings and at nights. When listened carefully, realize that some of these morning songs have traces of Raga Asa in them.
Ainchaliyan
This is a religious songs that are sung in the house of the would be bride and is quiet popular among the farmer class of Himachal people. The men – folk sing this song in the houses of the married couples on the beat of drums or platters of images. On the other hand the women population of the area sing these songs in the house of the unmarried girls. In these songs, incidents from the marriage of gods like Shiva and Rama are sung with great zest. You should enjoy this song in the Chamba-Pangi areas, where professional singers using puppets, move around in different villages with a khanjari (tambourine) and play this ballad.
Samaskara Songs :
The Samskara songs are folk songs of the state of Himachal Pradesh with the distinct tune that is reminiscent of a distant mountainous land. These songs are mainly sung at family festivals, gatherings and other similar moments for celebration. The Samskara songs of Himachal Pradesh have their base in classical Ragas. This bound the songs by intricate detailing that needs a considerable amount of expertise on the part of the Samskara singers. They are sung with great fervour by women who only belong to certain higher castes.
Music instruments :
Winds : There are also wind instruments like algoja/algoza (twin flutes), peepni, shehnai(oboe), bishudi (flute), karnal (straight brass trumpet) and ranasingha (curved brass trumpet).
Drums : Dhol, Dholku, Dolki, Nagara, Dammama, Damanght, Nagarth, Gajju, Doru, Hudak and Dhaunsa.
Wind Instruments – Rana Singha, Karnal, Turhi and Flute or Bishudi, Algoja (twin flutes), Shehnai or Peepni.
Percussion Instruments : Jhanjh (large cymbals), Manjira (small cymbals), Chimta (tongs), Ghanta (gongs), Ghariyal (large gong), Thali (platter), Ghunghru (bells) and Kokatha Murchang (a stringed instrument played with a bow with bells).
Stringed Instruments : Ektara, Kindari Davatra, Gramyang or Rabab, Sarnagi, Jumang and Ruman.
String instruments include gramyang, riwana (small fretless lute), sarangi(bowed lute), jumang, ruman, ektara and kindari davatra.
Himachal Pradesh as a state seems to differ from the major culture of Northern India, Where they do seem similar is on the matter of Music. The Valleys in Himachal are filled with people who never fail to miss an occasion to sing their favorite folk songs. The Locals enjoy the merriment of these songs with their traditional music instruments. With many reserved for special occasions, The Innumerable folk songs of Himachal are a treat to the world of music.