Kashmir has been celebrated in legend, mythology, history and poetry for ages. The very word Kashmir, till not long ago would evoke the mental image of a land of peace, beauty, harmony and learning. This is what makes its trials and travails today much more agonising. There is a pleothora of books by travelers, historians, sociologists, anthropologists and other experts belonging to various disciplines on different aspects of the life of the people.
According to folk etymology, the name “Kashmir” means” desiccated land” (In Sanskrit: Ka = water and shimeera = desiccate). In Rajatarangini, (history of Kashmir written by Kalhana in mid-12th century), it is stated that the valley of Kashmir was formerly a lake. Kashmir came to be known as the abode of rishis because it has provided a calm and serene shelter to sages and savants. Kalhana in his book Rajatarangini stated that the history of Kashmir started just before the great Mahabharat war. In 1970, the state government of Jammu and Kashmir established its own education board and university. Education in the state is divided into primary, middle, higher secondary, college and university level. Throughout the ancient times, the breathtakingly beautiful valley of Kashmir has stood for peaceful contemplation, intellectual advancement and religious diversity. Jammu and Kashmir has a wonderful culture which has played an important role in earning accolades for it from across the world. Be it literature, lifestyle, language, religion, arts, crafts, music and dance, Jammu and Kashmir is an outstanding tourist destination. The state of Jammu and Kashmir is mainly divided into three regions namely Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, each region having its own unique traditions and customs. Kashmir is mainly inhabited by Muslims, Jammu by the Hindus and Ladakh by the Buddhists. However the best thing is that they reflect unity in diversity. The Dogras are another community of the state. The colorful dresses of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are very attractive. The majority of the population wear traditional clothes. During the winters they wear a kind of loose overcoat called Pheran. It is basically worn over a kurta. And under the Pheran, is a warm pot of charcoals called ‘kangri’, which helps in keeping them warm.
Whatever may be the gravity of the present ongoing turmoil and estrangement of some sections of the people of the state, it is not going to hamper the age old traditions of communal harmony inherited from our ancestors because that is not what God desires. Efforts shall remain afoot to sustain the age old identity of this heavenly valley and the evil elements hell bent to metamorphose her colorful culture defeated.
In the modern geopolitical era, this same diversity, evident from the blend of Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism in this single state, has made it a centre of warfare rather than cultural advancement. In the late 1980’s, an insurgency in the valley threatened not only to rip Kashmir apart, but also pull the rest of the world into a dangerous war. Ancient Kashmir was really rich in holy places and the objects of pilgrimages were planted throughout the valley. Ancient Kashmir is known for its culture and tradition involving the tradition of wearing Kashmiri dresses, folk dances etc, but the recent trends availing in Kashmir valley results in modernization of each and every custom in the valley. It is more or less a battle field and the most vulnerable part where any miscreant can thrive. The topography, climate and water bodies have undergone an unexpected change. The culture, ethics and atmosphere is no longer a pride but an amalgam of infection and disgust. This changing era has not only divided people but also have made them selfish and ignorant not paying any heed to other people’s problems. This changing lifestyle has changed the dress pattern of people also, now they wear the modern clothes to cope up themselves with this modern world thus forgetting their traditional dresses. In the same way there is a tremendous change in custom once followed by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The beautiful and fine handicrafts of Jammu and Kashmir are famous all over the world. Almost each region of the state has a lot to offer in terms of handicrafts. The most talked about handicraft of the state is the Pashmina shawl, famous for its perfect quality and beauty. The fine embroidery done on them looks stunning. The craftsmen of Jammu and Kashmir are also perfect in crafting articles in wood, metal and stone. Papier mache work is another art of the state. But due to this prevailing situation of modernization, the fine handicrafts and paper mache work of this region is on a verge of extinction. Nobody is able to understand how this modernization has changed the art of living, life style of each and every person which is a basic cause of destruction of our society including the loss of moral values and ethics which is slowly engulfing the beautification of our valley as the people residing in the valley are the main representatives. The concern and passion of love for humanity without any bias for language, region and religion was very prominent in our state but now this passion has vanished at all. Right from the poetry of Lal Ded, an eminent spiritual poetess of Kashmir to Abdul Ahad Azaad, a poet of modern era, all have sung songs of communal harmony, love and concern for man and humanity. Literature as an essence of life, analysis of human condition and a reflection of human society, has blessed us with ample opportunity to imbibe the true human values. With such rich tradition and under eminent and popular rulers like Budshah, people have been living together with amity, harmony and peace for centuries. Whatever may be the gravity of the present ongoing turmoil and estrangement of some sections of the people of the state, it is not going to hamper the age old traditions of communal harmony inherited from our ancestors because that is not what God desires. Efforts shall remain afoot to sustain the age old identity of this heavenly valley and the evil elements hell bent to metamorphose her colorful culture defeated.
(The author a pass out of the post graduate department of Food Technology of Islamic University of Islamic University of Sciences & Technology (IUST) Awantipora is presently a food analyst. The views are her own)
