Himachal Pradesh Artists

Himachal Pradesh's artists are known above all for Pahari miniature painting, but its hills also have their own dances, songs and crafts.

Painting

The Guler and Kangra schools of Pahari painting, with their delicate scenes of Radha and Krishna, flourished in the courts of the hill kingdoms in the 18th and 19th centuries. The painter Sobha Singh lived and worked in Andretta near Palampur, where his house is now a gallery, and Andretta remains an artists' village.

Dance and music

The Nati, danced in long chains of dancers, is performed in Kullu, Shimla and Sirmaur at every fair. Folk songs are sung in the hill dialects to the drum and the long karnal horn. The singer Mohit Chauhan comes from Nahan.

Crafts

Kullu shawls, Chamba rumals (embroidered cloths showing scenes from the epics), Kinnauri caps and silver jewellery are sold at fairs across the state.

Cinema

Anupam Kher and Preity Zinta were born in Shimla, and Kangana Ranaut comes from Mandi district.

Sources

• Himachal Tourism: Government of Himachal Pradesh
• Lalit Kala Akademi: India's national academy of fine arts (Ministry of Culture)
• Sangeet Natak Akademi: India's national academy of music, dance and drama (Ministry of Culture)
• Indian Culture: the Ministry of Culture's portal on India's arts, crafts and heritage