Himachali or Pahari folk music is diverse because of vast culture diversity in Himachal Pradesh. Each district has its distinct culture and customs. Folk songs may be associated with history, religion, culture, customary life et al. But most of the folk songs sung in Himachal Pradesh are associated with love ballads, heroic ballads, praise of God, season ballads and social recreations. These songs can be sung solo or in a group of many. This shows that how rich is the culture of a place has.
The arrival of Hindi cinema and pop music in the state has weakened folk music’s popularity. Few well known folk musicians and poets from different parts (mostly interior Himachal) of the state have kept folk culture alive in the state.
We have compiled a list of folk songs of Himachal Pradesh from exam point of view.
Kindly read the following folk songs given below and help us enlarging the list, if anything left unwritten.
Folk songs of Chamba: Fulmu-Ranjhu (फुलमु रांझु), Kunju-Chanchlo (कुंजू चंचलो), Raja-Gaddan (राजा गद्दन), Bhukku-Gaddi (भुक्कू गद्दी), Lacchi (लच्छी), Nuala (नुआला), Aenchaliya (ऐंचलिया), Suhi-Geet (सूही गीत), Sukraat (सुकरात), Kunjadi (कुंजड़ी).
Folk songs of Kangra: Hari Singh Raajeya (हरी सिंह राजेया), Nurpure Diye Khatretiye (नूरपुरे दिये खतरेटीए), Suliya Tangoi Gayi Meri Jaan (सूलिया टंगोई गयी मेरी जान), Prithvi Singh Inderdeyi (पृथ्वी सिंह इन्द्रदेई), Pind Deya Lambda (पिंड देया लंबड़ा), Sithniya सिठणिया, Ghodi (घोड़ी).
Folk songs of Mandi: Nirmanda Ri Brahmaniye (निर्मण्डा री ब्राहमणिए), Mani Ram Patwaariya (मनी राम पटवारिया), Na Manya O Hansa (न मन्या ओ हंसा), Jiya Lal Bindiye (जिया लाल बिंदिए), Chhinj and Chhaanjoti ( छिन्ज और छान्जोटी). Panj Patra (पंज पत्रा) and Devku (देवकु) are the important examples of Chhinj songs of Mandi.
Folk songs of Bilaspur: Mohna (मोहणा), Gangi (गंगी), Gambhari (गंभरी), Baalo (बालो), Jhanjyuti (झंज्युटी).
Folk songs of Kullu, Shimla and Sirmaur: Laman (लाह्मण या लमण), Jhuri (झूरी), Naati (नाटी), Haar (हार).
Also Listen to this beautiful Himachali Folk Song sung by Saran Das, if time permits.