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Culture and Language |
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Shimla has a multilingual, cosmopolitan character.
People speak and understand both Hindi and English. Punjabi and
Pahari languages are also spoken and understood in and around
Shimla.
Himachali art and crafts are truly fascinating; it is
incredible how ancient practices and traditions have continued since
time immemorial. The history of India is a story of unbroken
traditions that have continued for over 5000 years. For centuries,
Indian handicrafts have been distinguished for their aesthetic and
functional value.
India is a land abundant in raw materials
that have lent themselves to the creative hands of the Indian
craftsmen. From expensive materials like ivory, gems and marble; to
cheaper ones like clay, cane and bamboo and wood, Indian handicrafts
have an amazingly captivating beauty. Another thrilling factor is
the numerous processes that these materials go through before they
take final shape. Processes like the 'chikan' work and 'phulkari and
bagh' work on cloth; certain types of polishing and metal casting or
even the filigree work on metals is unique to Indian
art.
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