About the Initiative
The Story
Growing up in the Himalayas, music was more than entertainment. It was a way of preserving stories, celebrating traditions and bringing communities together.
After moving to the UK, I discovered that while many South Asian communities have established cultural spaces, the music and living traditions of the Indian Himalayas remain relatively underrepresented and unfamiliar to wider audiences.
There is no shared space where people connected to the Himalayan region can come together through music, memory and culture.
Inspired by my work with the Himachal International Film and Art Festival (HIFAF), Echoes of the Himalayas was created to celebrate Himalayan heritage while creating meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange, learning and community connection.
Echoes of the Himalayas exists to preserve, celebrate and share the living musical traditions of the Indian Himalayas while creating a welcoming space for communities to connect.
About the Programme
How Each Gathering Works
Every gathering combines live music, storytelling and shared conversation in an intimate, accessible format.
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Discover
Experience the music, history and cultural traditions of a Himalayan region through live performance, with stories behind each song.
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Share
Guests are invited to reflect on home, heritage and memory, with selected anonymous reflections becoming part of the gathering itself.
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Connect
Each gathering concludes with time for conversation, encouraging audiences to meet, exchange stories and build meaningful connections.
Each gathering lasts approximately 90 minutes, adaptable to different venues, and designed for multicultural audiences.
Now Booking
Chapter One Songs from Himachal Pradesh
The Echoes of the Himalayas series begins with the music, stories and living traditions of Himachal Pradesh.
Designed as an intimate cultural gathering, the programme introduces audiences to the region's musical heritage through live performance, storytelling and shared conversation.
Future chapters will explore the diverse musical traditions of other Himalayan regions, creating an ongoing series that celebrates the richness of the Indian Himalayas.
Book TicketsAbout Sia
A voice connecting heritage and contemporary audiences
Sia Sharma is a UK-based vocalist from Himachal Pradesh whose work spans Bollywood, Punjabi, Hindustani and Pahadi music.
Through Echoes of the Himalayas, she brings live music and cultural storytelling together to share regional traditions with diverse audiences across the UK.
Supported By
Himachal International Film & Art Festival
Proudly supported by one of the region's leading arts organisations.
Having worked closely with Sia, we have seen first-hand her commitment to celebrating Himalayan culture through music and community. We are delighted to support the first chapter of Echoes of the Himalayas and look forward to seeing the initiative grow.
Anuraj Vashisht Founder, Himachal International Film & Art Festival
Why Host This Programme
A cultural gathering with depth and warmth
Echoes of the Himalayas offers audiences more than a performance. It creates space for cultural discovery, shared memory and meaningful connection.
Bring Echoes of the Himalayas
to your community
Echoes of the Himalayas can be presented in partnership with festivals, museums, libraries, arts centres, universities and community organisations across the UK.
If you'd like to explore hosting a gathering or adapting the programme for your audience, I'd love to hear from you.
Host This Programme