About Himachali Language

[Rajesh Joshi]

The language Pahari is an ancient language derived from the two languages of Sanskrit and Prakrit. The Pahari language is popular in the hilly regions of India. The language is spoken in three different dialects. The Western Pahari dialect is spoken in Himachal Pradesh.


The Pahari language originates from the ancient language of Sanskrit and Prakrit. The grammar and the vocabulary of the language is derived from these languages. Although the use of these ancient languages have reduced, the people of the hill states use the Pahari language which is its derivative. The language of Pahari is divided into three dialects. The Khas-Kura is used chiefly in the northern state of Nepal. This is the Northern dialect of the Pahari language. The Central Pahari form is further divided into three dialects. The Garhwali is used in the Garhwal region. The dialect Jaunsari is spoken in the region of Dehra Dun. The people of Nainital speak the Kumaoni dialect. The Western Pahari dialect is spoken mainly in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh. It is subdivided into various dialects the most popular among which are the Sirmauri and Keonthali dialect spoken in Simla. Western Pahari has many other dialects like the Chambiali, Churahi, Mandeali, Himachali and Kuluhi spoken in different parts of the state of Himachal Pradesh.


The language of Pahari has its own literature which has survived in the various dialects in the form of folk tales and poetry. The literature comprises of translations into the language from the ancient language of Sanskrit. The Pahari language is commonly used in the state of Himachal Pradesh by the local people while Hindi is used chiefly for interacting among people of different communities.

Source: http://www.mapsofindia.com/himachal-pradesh/language/pahari.html

Himachal Language

Hindi is the state language but people mostly converse in 'Pahari'. This language has various dialects or sub-languages. Grierson in his linguistic survey had called it 'Western Pahari' and had demarcated its area from Jainsar Bawar in the Uttar Pradesh hills (near Dehra Dun) to Bhadarwah in Jammu and Kashmir. The various dialects of Pahari spoken in the region are Mandiali (in Mandi), Kulavi (in Kulu), Kehluri (in Bilaspur), Hinduri (in Nalagarh), Chameali (in Chamba), Sirmauri (in Sirmur), Miahasvi (in Mahasu region) and Pangwali (in Pangi). Besides, there are the dialects of Bhot orgin, the Kinnauri, the Lahauli and the Spitian. All dialects of Pahari are of Sanskritic origin. They have been written differently in different times. In earlier days they were written in 'Tankri' or 'Thahau', but later during the Muslim period they were written in the Persian script and then again in Devanagiri.

Source: http://www.himachalonline.com/temp/languages.html

[Rajesh Joshi]

HimVani

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Assembly today adopted a resolution recommending the Union government to include Pahari language of the state in the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Soon after the Question Hour, the House unanimously resoled over this move presented by State Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal when it was passed by a voice vote. “Pahari is spoken not only in the state but also in neighboring states. It’s rich in literature and needs to be preserved,” Dhumal said.

“The Pahari language is present in 10 local dialects, including Sirmauri, Kulluvi, Kangri and Mahasuvi,” he added. He said that Pahari language is being written in ‘Tankri script’ and it has more than 300 poetic collections, 21 works of fiction, 77 stories and 34 literary books of literature. The Chief Minister said that two national-level awards have been also given to two Pahari authors – Pratiush Gulari and Gaotum Sharma.