Introduce Special Policy Provisions To Preserve Rich Himachali Culture
Anuj Kumar Acharya
(The writer is based at Naagan, Baijnath)
Himachal Pradesh is widely famous as devbhoomi and is world renowned for its ancient culture, rich heritage and traditions. The hill state that came into being as a centrally administered territory on April 15, 1948 became 18th state of the country on January 25, 1971. It has taken huge strides and Himachalis now are leaving their impression in every sphere. However in the race of modernisation, our cultural traditions seem to be leaving behind. Enhanced craze for fashion has taken an edge over traditional attire and the DJ culture is proving heavy over folk culture. Therefore it becomes imperative to raise voice for preserving and ancient folk culture of the state.
Recently during a marriage function I got an opportunity to meet Kashmiri Lal, famous folk singer of Jia village in Kangra valley. And during the discussion he could not stop himself from revealing the negative effect that DJ culture is inflicting on Himachali folk culture. Kashmiri Lal has given new identity to music and folk singing of Kangra and Chamba. Some of the folk songs sung by him like Shiv kailashon ke vassi, kunju chanchlo and badiyan jo tudka lana thekedarniye in support with traditional instruments like Khanjri, rubana, mushada and beats of dholak by his fellow associate Sonu remains in great demand. He opines that Himachali folk singers should be given proper honour and payments for their performance during the district, state and international level functions. It will help connect new generation with their ancient culture.
Besides this, big icons associated with traditional musical instruments and folk singing should be regularly invited to Arts, Language and Culture Department, Aakashwani and Doordarshan programmes. Notably, preference is given to Bollywood and Punjabi artists in various programmes thus ignoring Himachali artists. Our new generation is unaware of folk songs sung during mundan, yagopvit and marriage rituals in Kangra-Chamba valley. Reasons are obvious. Marriage palace culture too has eaten a greater share of rituals followed during marriage functions. Women and girls used to welcome baratis with abusive songs (traditionally called as gaaliyan) earlier but now they have become history.
However last year, Aakashwani Dharamshala centre recorded and compiled more than 100 sanskar songs, which is an appreciable step. Apart from this Himachal government also has started an initiative to preserve ancient Himachali musical instruments and has asked for suggestions from public to formulate a policy in this regard. To preserve the unique identity of Himachali traditional culture, special provisions need to be incorporated in the policy.
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