www.ijcrt.org © 2020 IJCRT | Volume 8, Issue 10 October 2020 | ISSN: 2320-2882 Material Folk Culture of Solan District, Himachal Pradesh Chetana Sharma1 (Research Scholar, Department of Geography, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla-171005. Dr. Anurag Sharma (Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla-171005). Abstract The present study is upon material folk culture of Solan District, Himachal Pradesh. The study is entirely based on primary data through random sampling technique. The paper revolves around the folk food, folk dress and ornaments, folk medicines, folk art, folk musical instruments, agricultural tools and utensils included in the traditions of a culture, sub-culture, or group. Cultural study encourages the researcher towards the conservation of traditional culture that is still exist but slowly started extinct. The findings based upon the available data shows that the people are still following their culture when the technology and communication systems are changing rapidly in this area. Key Words: Material culture, Cultural region, Material Folk Culture. Introduction Material culture includes all physical, material objects made and used by members of a cultural group, such as clothing, buildings, tools and utensils, instruments, furniture and artwork; the visible aspect of culture (Hussain, 1994: 83). The present study deals with the folk cultures, that describes and analysis the ways, languages, religions, customs, believes and the other cultural phenomenon vary or remain constant from one place to another place. The folk culture geography is mainly concerned with man-made features and explains how they are functioning spatially. The climatic conditions and physical settings help the folk to still maintain their traditional life style and 81.78 percent population lives in the rural areas. Both these aspects prompted the researcher to study this region as a culture region. At present as Solan district emerged as an industrial hub of Himachal Pradesh impact of modernization can be seen on the folk life of the people but still many of its regions are traditionally rich in their culture. They follow their traditions, celebrate their festivals in traditional way and having moral values that pass from generation to generation and are still followed by the people. Few areas are highly modernized and most of the regions or villages have impact of modernization. For example: the regions of Nalagarh, Baddi, Parwanoo, Solan, Sabathu, Arki, Hatkot (Kunihar), Diggal (Ramsher) and Kandaghat are developed regions and the impact of industrialization and modernization can be seen. But folks are still following their traditions. IJCRT2010124 International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT) www.ijcrt.org 928 www.ijcrt.org © 2020 IJCRT | Volume 8, Issue 10 October 2020 | ISSN: 2320-2882 The Study Area The administrative area of the Solan district is 1936 sq. km. The study area is located between the 76°42’’ and 77°20’’ east longitudes and 30°05’’ and 31°15’’ north latitudes. It is bounded by Shimla district in the north, by Ropar district of Punjab and Ambala district of Haryana in the south, by Sirmour district in the east and Bilaspur district in the west of Himachal Pradesh. Mandi district touches the boundary of Solan district in the north-east. (see figure 1) Figure 1: Location Map IJCRT2010124 International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT) www.ijcrt.org 929 www.ijcrt.org © 2020 IJCRT | Volume 8, Issue 10 October 2020 | ISSN: 2320-2882 Objectives The main objectives of the present study are to identify the Solan district as a material folk culture region and to identify the folk cultural materials. Data Source and Methodology The present study mostly uses qualitative data of various aspects of folk culture collected directly from the region. Due to lamentable lack of published information on folk geography of the region the study is totally based on primary data collected through personal field observations and interviews by using stratified sampling technique. Secondary data have also been used in the form of topographical sheet scanning of monograph and Census report. All the information related to the history of the region is collected through interviewing the local residents specially the old age residents. 127 sampled villages were selected which represent different aspects of material folk cultural geography. I Folk Dress and Ornaments Folk dress of the Solan districtl is ‘salwar-kamiz’ for women and ‘kurta-pajama’, half coat and ‘topi’ for men. The women used to wear ‘kurti’, ‘salwar’ and ‘chadru’ (dupata) to cover their head. Men wear ‘kurta’ and ‘pajama’ (trouser) and ‘parna’ on shoulder. The old age men use to wear ‘topi’ and ‘turban’. Children used to wear ‘jhagu’- ‘topu’. Bhramins and Charaj used to wear white dress, a ‘kurta’ and ‘dhoti’ with a ‘parna’ (piece of red cloth) on the shoulders while performing ancestor worship. Charaj are the bhramins who seek dan (offerings) in the name of dead by performing death rites. The young men also wear ‘kurta’-’pajama’ on special occasions. No heavy clothing is required in Nalagarh and Baddi tehsils because of less cold. The old age people still wear ‘saffa’, ‘turban’ and ‘Gandhi topi’ to cover their head from Sun-stroke. ‘Gandhi Topi’ (cap) slowly slowly been replaced by a type of ‘Kullui Topi’ and ‘Kinnauri Topi’ become popular among the adult people mostly in Darla, Arki, Ramsher, Kasuali, Krishangarh, Solan and Kandaghat along with Kuthar (Krishangarh tehsils). It is evident from the study that the folk in the hilly areas used to wear cap. But cap is not popular in Nalagarh and Baddi tehsil because of the less cold in this region as compared to the hilly areas. ‘Saffa’ or ‘pagari’ is mostly popular in Nalagarh, Baddi and some parts of Kasauli tehsils because this region is plain and recives more heat than tvhat of the hilly regions. Nalagarh and Baddi tehsils are the Sikh dominating regions rather than that of the hilly regions such as Kandaghat, Arki, Darla, Kauali, Kuthar (Krishngarh) and Ramsher tehsils. So the Sikh community used to wear ‘pagari’ (turban) worn wear by Sikh community and Hindus used to wear ‘saffa’. Some people now go more often bare headed. In winters, people used to wear thick clothes. In summers, silk and cotton cloths are used. ‘Pattu’ and ‘loi’ used during winters in Solan district. During special occasions like festivals, ‘Jataras’ or performing arts like ‘‘Karyala’, people used to wear traditional and colourful dress. In fact people have no sense to wear cloths. ‘Karyala’ is organised in Ramsher, Krishgarh, Kandaghat, Solan, Arki and Darla tehsils. It is also called ‘Swang’ in local language. People used to wear ‘pulan’ (locally prepared grass or straw shoes). At present the young men put on shirts, pants, and suits and jeans where as the old people still prefer to put on their traditional dress. The folk in higher altitudes used to wear heavy clothing as compare to the lower altitudes areas because of the cold during winters. In Kandaghat tehsil due to harsh climatic conditions and higher altitude people used to wear sweater for almost 11 to 12 months. IJCRT2010124 International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT) www.ijcrt.org 930 www.ijcrt.org © 2020 IJCRT | Volume 8, Issue 10 October 2020 | ISSN: 2320-2882 In winters heavy clothes of wool put on by the folk 2 months prior, to that of the folks of lower altitudes. They have to put heavy clothes for the whole day. Short and long coat made of goat or sheep wool used during winters by men. Women used hand made short and long woolen cardigan. The folks of Ramsher, Darla, Arki, Krishangarh, Solan and some parts of Kasauli tehsils use to wear wollen clothes during mornings and evenings as days are sunny and warm. In Nalagarh and Baddi tehsils no heavy clothings are worn by folks. It’s quite hot even during the month of even in Feburary during day time. People in few parts of the district used to made ‘patoo’ (shawl) from the wool of sheep and goat. They are used mainly by men. Shawls are mainly is used by women. ‘Khaddi wale’ used to make ‘kambal’ or ‘gadda’ for sitting made of ‘bakari’ (goat’s) wool called ‘Bakaracha’. People wear ‘patoo’, ‘kambal’ and ‘shawl’ during winters. Precious or cheap, love for jewellery and an ornament is a universal phenomenon. The use of precious metals and stones for ornaments started probably when man left his wandering habits and preferred to settle at a place and took to agriculture. The ornaments and jewellery are well sought for and are collected and preserved for good and bad times. Ornaments and jewellery for married women is a sign of marriage. The women prefer ornaments. The silver and the gold ornaments are common among women of Arki. There are ornaments which are of daily use to the women, others related only to the special occasions. Not only women but when a child takes birth and grows by a few days he is adorned with small silver bangles known as ‘kanganu’and anklets. In case of girls, when her nose is pierched a gold ring is put into it. At the time of marriage, the bride is given a variety of ornaments by her parents and in laws and relatives. The ornaments include ‘chak’, ‘chiri’, ‘balis’, ‘jhumkas’, ‘bragar’, ‘bundes’, ‘kante’, ‘kan-phul’, ‘koka’, ‘phuli’, ‘laung’, ‘balu’ and ‘tilli’. In the necklace category includes ‘jai mala’, ‘chanderhar’ and queen’s necklace. Popular and widely used bracelets include ‘nalians’, ‘toke’, ‘bangas’, ‘kangnu’, ‘gajru’, ‘churi’, ‘band’, ‘mundris’, ‘ghungrus’, ‘jhanjar’, ‘tora’, ‘pajeb’ and ‘anguthari’ for toe. The ornaments like ‘tabiz’, ‘tillis’, ‘pazeb’ and ‘chanki’ are influenced by the Mughal style. Women display jewellery and ornaments at special occasions like marriage, birth ceremony and religious fairs and festivals.