Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is a State in the northern part of India situated in the Western Himalayas.  It is one of the eleven mountain states and is characterized by an extreme landscape featuring several peaks and extensive river system.  Himachal Pradesh shares borders with the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir  and Ladakh to the north, and the states of Punjab to the west, Haryana to the southwest, and Uttrakhand and Uttar Pradesh to the south. The state also has a border with the autonomous region of Tibet to the east.

Himachal Pradesh is a multiregional, multicultural as well as multilingual state like any  other Indian states. It was one of the few states that had remained largely untouched by external customs, largely due to its difficult topography. Diverse colors of Himachali culture are seen in the customs, fairs and festivals, weddings, traditions, folk dances. People of the state generally prefer folk music. Culture of Himachal Pradesh is not only exuberant in the physical attires of the Himachalis but also in their festival celebrations, musical melodies, rhythmic dance forms and simple lifestyle. Culture of Himachal Pradesh is applauded for its exclusive pieces of arts and handicrafts which are an undeniable part of the culture of Himachal Pradesh. These dances are very vital part of the tribal life. Himachal Pradesh is racy in folk music and till date no classical music has ever initiated. However, a special kind of songs namely Samskara song are grounded on ragas which belong to the genre of Indian Classical Music. Famous dance styles are Naati, (The Mala Dance), The Thoda Dance, Jhamakada (Gidda Form). The Tribal Dances as Dandaras, Ghurehi, Chamm Dance, of Lahaul Spiti, Losar Shona Chuksam etc.  In Sirmaur and Mahasu regions a woman dances in high spirits and the whole lot of audience are totally entralled by their vivacious performance.