National seminar on pahari cultural heritage begins at Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla

The Department of History, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, today commenced the two-day national seminar on “Pahari Cultural Heritage” that witnessed the participation of students and faculty members.

The aim of the seminar was to shed light on the rich cultural heritage of pahari people and foster a deeper understanding of their socio-religious practices and historical significance.

Talking about the theme, Dean of Studies BK Shivram emphasised on the uniqueness of pahari culture, its historical background, the threat of homogenisation, and the need to preserve and promote discourse on ‘pahari’ cultural heritage.

Dr Chetan Singh, a historian and scholar, in his keynote address, delved into the nature of pahari cultural heritage. He highlighted the multifaceted aspects of identity, including language, geography, religion, socio-cultural practices and socio-economic factors.

Dr Singh underscored the dynamic and evolving nature of identities and the importance of interaction with various other regions and cultures in shaping these identities.

Prof Mamta Mokta, in her address, stressed the need to establish a dedicated research centre for pahari culture and heritage at the university.

A lecture by Prof OP Sharma on pahari language and its many dialects detailed the origins and the historical background of the language, highlighting the significance of manuscripts and inscriptions, which have been unearthed from various parts of the state.

He encouraged the collaboration between students of history and linguistics. The event included a panel discussion chaired by Dr Chetan Singh, with members including Dr OC Handa, Dr Hari Chauhan, Deepak Sharma, Dr Yogesh Snehi and Dr Himendra Bali.

This was followed by a technical session where papers were presented on various subjects pertaining to the theme of the event.