The culture of Kashmir is quiet varied and rich but it demands our care and attention. It is sad to see changes in almost every aspect of our culture be it attitude, food habits, dress code, nature, beliefs etc. We have given a big blow to our day to day life in Kashmir. The ‘Samaavar’ (Kashmiri Kettle to prepare our traditional salt tea and Kehwa) is no more in use and just used as a decorative in our houses. Our rich attire ‘Feran’ (Kashmiri long gown to protect from cold in winter) is now treated as an inferior dress and it has been replaced by jackets and other garments. Our ‘Kangri’ (Traditional Heating pot made of terracotta and supported by twigs) is also rarely found and has been replaced by the modern electric heating instruments. Who is to be blamed for this big loss in our rich culture is none other than us?
It is our responsibility to become the brand ambassadors of our Kashmiri culture before it is too late. We are proud to be Kashmiris but it demands our value for our culture. I have seen some of our lovely Hindu families settled outside as the true role models and protectors of our culture. My recent visit to a lovely Hindu family in Gwalior caught my attention to see how they were the true brand ambassadors of our Kashmiri culture. They have been outside for almost three decades now but still they have love and care for the language, food habits and dress code of Kashmir etc. Most important their Kashmiri attitude is still remarkable.
Every state and country has a right to preserve its own culture and identity. There is so much to learn from other cultures but it is our moral responsibility to preserve our own. Our rich culture in Kashmir permits us to love and admire people equally from other religions and castes in and outside the valley. It is this Kashmiri culture that unites us towards a common goal of peace and progress of our valley. We must understand that the Importance of preserving cultural heritage lies in the sense of belonging and unity that it offers. Our rich culture in our beloved Kashmir will serve to link us with our beloved ancestors, which should not be lost. Our culture is always meaningful and for the betterment of our lives. There is no wrong to imbibe good things from other cultures but efforts must be concrete to not let go our own rich cultural identity and legacy.
There is greater need to promote our Kashmiri and other regional languages. There must be greater involvement of schools, colleges and universities in schemes promoting arts and culture. We must protect our rich monuments in our Kashmir. The need of the time is to set up at least one museum in each district to highlight the rich traditions of our valley. Efforts should be high to promote the cultural industries and focus on its growth and increased employment. A good idea is to promote the cultural heritage tourism but it is important to develop the necessary resources to make it flourish.
The belief system in our Kashmir was concrete. On seeing the ‘red sky’ it was being assumed by our people that something wrong had happened. Everyone tried to pray to Almighty to save from outcomes of the evil. People in Kashmir were more social and always loved the company of others. But now we have turned into an isolated society. In a recent heart wrenching incident, a lady made tragic revelation before hours of her death that how she was burnt alive by her husband and her in laws. She also exposed that they used to torture her mercilessly and were demanding dowry. Such brutal acts are also now an order of the day in our Kashmir. “How humans on Earth can be so cruel and merciless? We as Kashmiris were never known for such inhuman and brutal acts. Infact we were proud of our culture and people were filled with emotions and compassion. Such heartrending incidents are really a blot on our society. We can’t afford to see our beloved sisters suffer when they have a highest position in our society and they make our life worthy. Our police and administration must not go easy in such cases and be harsh to the culprits. The citizens and the social organizations must be active and condemn such brutal acts. We are on the verge of collapse as a Kashmiri society. We keep our doors closed and not allow our neighbors to visit us. As we sow so shall we reap is rightly said and hence deserve the same treatment from our neighbors. Neither we allow them nor do we wish to visit them. We were always challenging the outside societies for this isolated and individualistic approach. But it is quiet unfortunate that we are following the same practice.
We can’t afford now to be just the mute spectators. The tough time in our valley shall be over soon and there will be a more promising time ahead. There is a big call to save our culture. Every member of our beloved valley needs to contribute. The Kashmiris outside including me have a greater responsibility to be the brand ambassadors for our rich culture. We have to be more caring now for our culture than ever before it is too late. We will rise again; work with integrity and bring back the lost glory of our paradise valley. (Concluded)
Writer is a Assistant Professor, ITM University Gwalior.
Email:-------dr.shahidamin15@gmail.com