Gahri is a Tibeto-Burman (West Himalayish- Tibeto-Kinauri- Tibeto-Burman) language
spoken in Keylong block of Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. The language
is spoken in the Gahr Valley along the Bhaga river from its confluence with Chandra
river and upstream by approximately 3000 to 4000 people in Keylong (Upper and Lower)
town and the nearby villages including Billing, Gyuskyar, Yurnad, Gumling, Katchra,
Mongwan, Styingri, Tayule (Gompa), Gumrang, Sikkeling, Griemas, Bokar Gompa, Sasure
Gompa, Gozang, Kardang , Kardang (Gompa), Barbog, Paspara, Namchia, Lepchang, Chhelling,
Pyaso, Mangmore (single home) and Pyukar.
In the available academic materials the alternate names of the Gahri language are
Lahauli of Bunan, Bunan, Punan and Keylong Boli with different spellings. In the
UNESCO list of endangered languages Gahri is mentioned as the alternate name of
the Bunan (bfu) as ‘definitely endangered’ on the scale of vitality.
The documentation of Gahri language has been undertaken by the SPPEL and a pilot
survey has been conducted. During pilot survey approximately 500 words and 200 sentences
has been recorded. The transcription of the collected data and slicing has already
been completed. The work on language analysis for writing grammar and work on digital
dictionary along with sound and pictures are in progress.
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