JAMMU AND KASHMIR: A TANGLE OF KNOTS

A mosaic of culture and traditions

It was the Mughal emperor Jahangir Khan, quoting a Persian proverb, who famously declared about
Kashmir, If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this.
The long stretches of frivolous snow-clad mountains, verdant wavering foliage and the gleaming blue
water accompanies the many fascinating vistas that prevails in the land of Jammu & Kashmir. Founded
in the mid-nineteenth century, the state of Jammu and Kashmir brought together areas that are
culturally, linguistically and geographically diverse: Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, GilgitBalkistan and
what is now Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, all yielding diverse religion, language and culture, but
constantly interfusing, making it sparkling specimens of Indian unity in diversity. It is in this genesis,
perhaps, that the seeds of the current unrest lie. And the key to peace in this volatile region is in an
understanding of this diversity.
Jammu and Kashmir which is grappling with cultural diversity is unlike any state in India. Its cultural
diversity is woven into the food, the music, the architecture - even the local superstitions. It's a sensory
experience on all levels and there's a story lurking around every corner. It is distinct in having
multihued, multifaceted, motley of unique cultural blend. The state is accurately shaped into a
spectrum of variance and variation. Not only the geographical conditions of the state are different but it
can also be set apart demographically with varied ethical and social entities, diversity of religions
flourishing in the area, different language and cultural forms and heritage albeit with an over-reigning
harmony that blends in with the serenity and beauty of the region. The Sindh, Chenab and Jhelum
which flow through the three regions of this State, though originating from different sources, have
taken along their flow so many upheavals, calamities, pangs and stories that it is simply impossible to
reverse their course of flow. One gets dazed by the sheer diversity and richness of art and architecture,
fairs and festivals, rites and rituals, seers and sagas, languages and mountains that thrive amongst the
unparalleled cultural cohesion, which is exemplary. These various cultural forms mounted on the
ageless era of history, speaks aloud of uniformity and diversity with matchless cultural symmetry &
service. . During their long periods of independence, isolation and solidarity, the people of this state
developed a unique culture making everlasting contributions to learning and literature. The years of
give and take amongst the people of the State has resulted in cultural amalgamation to such an extent
that the efforts to study and analyse the people and their culture are astounding. Jammu and Kashmir is
a melting pot of varied cultures. Citizens from dissimilar social practices and religious exist together
quietly in this charming state. Since moment immemorial, diverse religions like Jainism, Sikhism,
Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism have added extra worth to the enriching legacy of Jammu and
Kashmir. Therefore diverse tribes follow dissimilar religions and live in concord. All these different
types of religious sections have even contributed to the affluent edifying tradition of Jammu. Roman
Mysticism and Greek Romanticism also have an influence and it is obvious in Jammu because of the
Persian existence. The rustic survival and vivacious hues of vigour that are noticeable in Jammu and
Kashmir, gives an obvious feeling of citizens and traditions of Kashmir and Jammu state.
J&K has wide vista that surfaces rich culture, tradition and history. Its vivid description in the epic of
Mahabharatha and writings of Kalhana (Rajatarangini) manifests the vital position it holds in
upgrading the Indian diorama of history. Needless to mention the deliberate natural escape it has been
for travel aficionados, the state of J&K compliments the picture of Indian jigsaw puzzle. Nagas and

Pishachas, which form the ancient races of the State, have in course of history spread to the entire
State. The traditions and customs of Nagas are prevalent in modified forms in various regions of the
State even now. Jammu and Kashmir is a state of different religions and beliefs. The faith and tradition
of preaching and worshipping of each other's religions and pilgrimage centres has been a very
exceptional and splendid tradition of the people of the State. The famous Hindu shrines and the equally
famous Muslim pilgrimage centres are held in highest regard by the people of every faith. The
pilgrimage centres like the one at Hari Parbat where monuments of all three religions with a temple,
mosque and gurudwara co-exist, are the living signs of the communal harmony of the people of the
State. The offerings made and obeisance paid at such places by people of all faiths has mystified the
conservative elements across the globe. Swathed in the constricted mist of spirituality, one can
experience the real meaning of Unity in Diversity and celebrate the gift called life by seeking blessing
at Mata Vaishno Devi, Dargah of Peer Budhan Ali Shah, Raghunath Temple, Maha Kali Temple., Jama
Masjid and Thiksey Monastery.
Kashmir is justly said to be the Nature's grand finale of beauty. For a long time,Kashmir was
considered as a detached region and the history of Kashmir can be studied in the Chronicles of courts
and the kings. In recent days, Kashmir is the home town for the people of various sects and races.
While the Kashmir has been the highest learning centre of Sanskrit and Persian where early IndoAryanic civilization has originated and flourshed, it has also been embracing point of advent of Islam
bringing its fold finest traditions of Persian civilization, tolerance, brotherhood and sacrifice. Kashmir
is the masterpiece of earth's creation and the folk performances of Kashmir are intimately mingled
with the moods and movements of the seasons.
Similarly Jammu, has been the axis of Rajas and Maharajas, who have enriched the cultural, historical
and social bonds of all these diverse ethnic and linguistic sections of the state. Jammu, the land of the
Dogras, has some beautiful dances and music that originated in its lap and were developed by the
hardy and graceful women of the Duggar to divert them from the long spell of separations from their
soldier husbands and brothers. Besides the purpose of adding cheer to their lives in their free moments,
there are folk songs and dances that echo their feelings of separation and the ever-increasing yearning
for reunion with the beloved, the hard life on the mountain slopes and various other themes that are
connected with their day-to-day lives.
Ladakh on the other side, has been the highest living centre of Tantrayan Buddhism. Ladakh is famous
for its unique Indo-Tibetan culture. Chanting in Sanskrit and Tibetan language forms an integral part of
Ladakh's Buddhist lifestyle. Annual masked dance festivals, weaving and archery are an important part
of traditional life in Ladakh. Ladakhi food has much in common with Tibetan food, the most
prominent foods being thukpa, noodle soup; and tsampa. Typical garb includes gonchas of velvet,
elaborately embroidered waistcoats and boots, and gonads or hats. People adorned with gold and silver
ornaments and turquoise headgears throng the streets during Ladakhi festivals.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir are very fond of celebrating festivals and it constitutes a
significant element of their culture. A variety of festivals and fairs have made the lives of men more
enthusiastic. Starting from Id-ul-Zoha to Durga Puja the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir take pleasure
in all the festivals and events with similar enthusiasm. Main festivals includes - Eid-ul-Fitr, Baisakhi,
Lohri and Hemis Festival. The masked dance festivals of Ladakh enthral the tourists. In Uttar Behni
area of Jammu valley, Chaitre Chaudash is famous. Bahu Mela is a grand festival observed at the
premises of Kali temple in Jammu's Bahu Fort. In Purmandal city of Jammu valley, Purmandal Mela is

celebrated in the month of February or March to signify the occasion of wedding of Lord Shiva and
goddess Parvati. Dressed in colourful attires the people visit the places like Panjbhaktar Temple, Peer
Khoh cave temple and the Ranbireshwar Temple. Apart from these festivals, the culture of Jammu and
Kashmir incorporates all the other important festivals of India. These festivity instances converse
much of the culture, people and lifestyle.
Jammu and Kashmir citizens are more distinguished for their hospitality and warmth. They are easy,
welcoming in nature. When anyone is invited in wedding of a village or at anyones home for a warm
cup of tea it is not astonishing as people of Jammu and Kashmir are very friendly and pleasing in
nature. Irrespective of their varied religions, they live as a close knit family and convey a message of
peace to the rest of the nation. But one thing that is common to people all regions is the love, affection,
and tolerance they have for each other. Even tourists are considered as a part of the family. If you ask a
locale about a place to stay, you will probably end up enjoying your vacation in his home, and if you
like something worn by a locale and ask him where he bought it from, he will probably offer the same
thing to you. That is how simple people of Jammu and Kashmir are, far away from artificial feelings,
and deception of life. The food they eat, the dresses they wear, the language they speak is all different
and unique.
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 traditions of different forms of art like
the Pahari paintings which have nurtured in Jammu region have its roots in Kashmir. We have a
sizeable number of scholars and artists who have contributed and kept alive the trend of appreciation
and practice of art cutting across the religious and regional bindings. The sufiana tradition of music of
which Santoor is the world famous instrument, is the soul of music of this place. After the advent
of Islam, Kashmiri music may have been influenced by Iranian music. The musical
instrument Santoor used in Kashmir was invented in Iran. Other musical instruments include Nagara,
Dukra and Sitar. Besides, Sufiana music, Chakri and Rouff are other forms of Kashmiri music.
Rabab is popular folk music of Kashmir. In Dogra Pahari area of Jammu valley 'Geetru' is performed
at the time of festivals like rural weddings and other social festivals. Arts and Craft has grown leaps
and bound in Jammu & Kashmir. It has evolved in the period of 2500 years and gained worldwide
acclamation. Spectacles of handloom can be seen clearly materializing in the form of Pashmina Shawls
and Carpets here. Jammu & Kashmir retains its image as a brilliant wood artist. The intricate
woodwork on the ceilings, which is popularly known as Khatam Band are splendid and unique.
Carvings on furniture and on the wood of walnut trees are widely acclaimed as well.Jammu &
Kashmir is also famous for the unique art of Papier Mache. The locals take great pride in creating
colorful decorative items prepared with pulped paper, vibrant paints and creative patterns. The ancient
archeological monuments and remnants speak volume of the distinct cultural traditions of the state.
Thus, the tradition and culture of Jammu and Kashmir is a composite one, a synthetic pattern with
unity in diversity.
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. Kashmir has rendered a valuable
contribution to Indian literature. Kalhana and Bilhana are well remembered for their historical works.
The former wrote Rajatarangini which throws a flood of light not only on the history of Kashmir but
also on the history of India. Bilhana's Vikramankadava Charita is concerned with the history of South
India. Charaka and Koka studied medicine and sex respectively. Vamana, Nammata, Anandavardhana,
Ruyaka, Kuntala, Abhinavagupta are noted for literary criticism. Similarly, Mankha, Kshemenidra,

Matrigupta, Shilhana, Jhalhana, Shivaswamin and Somadeva were eminent Kashmiri writers. The
State has a unique distinction of being a place where people from all walks of life and from all across
the, world have been coming to seek peace, knowledge and spiritual enlightenment. Kashmir which
has traditionally becn called the place of saints, has remained a seat of learning known as Sharada
Peetha for years together. The contribution of the scholars of this State to Sanskrit literature has simply
been remarkable. Names of Pt. Kalhana, Bilhan, Mammat, Abhinav Gupta and many others have gone
down as legends in the history of scholarship. With such rich tradition and under eminent and popular
rulers like Budshah, people have been living together with amity, harmony and peace for centuries.
Language is the most powerful means of communication, vehicle of expression of cultural values and
aspirations and instrument of conserving culture. Often described as a three-storeyed edifice composed
of three geographical divisions of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and Baltistan, bound together by bonds of
history and geography and linked together by a common destiny, Jammu and Kashmir presents a
classic case of linguistic and ethno- religious diversity. The concern and passion of love for humanity
without any bias for language, region and religion is very prominent in all the scholarly writings of
J&K. 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. Lalded and Nundrishi, through their verses, have underlined that a human being, however,
ignorant and barren of ideas he may be, is capable of attaining the spiritual knowledge through his
persistent efforts and dedication, thereby achieving greater heights. All through the history of the State
we see Muslim poets singing Bakhti songs and Hindu poets swearing by sufism. Scholars have shown
the path of humanity to people in general, cutting across the religious and regional barriers. The
phenomenal growth of Dogri as a written language and its recognition as a literary language by the
Sahitya Akademi, the recognition gained by its literature and writers at the national level and the
literary movements in Gojri and Pahari are evidence of a cultural upsurge of the emerging identities of
the Jammu region. The literary movements in all the regional languages have grown in harmony. In
fact, they cut across communal barriers and tend to undermine them.
Unfortunately, during the recent past we have been witnessing a spurt of violence and intolerance
where all human values have been thrown to the winds and unprecedented levels of crime, cruelty and
outrage of humankind have been let loose. Enough blood has now flown down the rivers of Jhelum
and Chenab and given the maturity, sensibility and farsightedness of the people of the State, it is
expected that better sense prevails upon the misled and estranged elements to no longer defy further
our traditional links of brotherhood.
Today the greatest need for scholars and artistes of the State is to rise to the occasion and play an
important role in maintaining and preserving our national integration and cultural heritage so that we
come out of this temporary phase of turbulence and uncertainty to emerge stronger in future because
divisions on the basis of religion, region or language or caste has not been our tradition. Such
aberration and estrangement of our people from the national mainstream is to be resisted strongly. We
are, at almost every point of our day, immersed in cultural diversity: faces, clothes, smells, attitudes,
values, traditions, behaviour, beliefs, and rituals. We all should know that diversity makes for a rich
tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what
their colour. It is important that people realize that culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit.
Real cultural diversity results from the interchange of ideas, products, and influences, not from the
insular development of a single national style.

If the interests and urges of a people with such diverse identities could be reconciled, the diversities
themselves would have been a great source of strength for the State. But the failure to recognise and
reconcile them became its biggest weakness. First, these diversities are not widely known. Secondly,
there has been an overemphasis on only one kind of identity - the one based on religion. Nobody can
deny the role of religion and religion-based identities in shaping human behaviour. But no identity is
monolithic, and there are other identities that cut across religious identities and sometimes play a more
decisive and healthier role than the religious identity in determining this behaviour. Different types of
identities, which cut across and overlap one another, cannot be separated easily; nor can the aspirations
of the people with these identities be satisfied in the present set-up.
The downfall of the attempts of governments and leaders to unite mankind is found in this- in the
wrong message that we should see everyone as the same. This is the root of the failure of harmony.
Because the truth is, we should not all see everyone as the same. We are made of different colours and
we have different cultures. the key to this door is to look at these differences, respect these differences,
learn from and about these differences, and grow in and with these differences.
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. Azad's couplet "khodayas byon byon thaaven
yod aasihan milat ta kom, prath akis algay zamina aasmanah aasihe" (had God desired to separate
people on the basis of religion, caste or creed, everybody would have his own separate earth and sky),
says it all. In the quest for unity and peace, we cannot blind ourselves and expect to be all the same.
We are not on a journey to become the same or to be the same. But we are on a journey to see that in
all of our differences, that is what makes us beautiful as a human race, and if we are ever to grow, we
ought to learn and always learn some more. We are on a never ending journey to preserve our heritage
and bring back our state from being a LOST PARADISE to the only paradise in this world.

BY SHEIKH ERAS

CERTIFICATE

I certify that Sheikh Eras Sumreen Hafeez Student of 2 nd Professional (MBBS)

Govt. Medical College Jammu has written the following essay on her own and
is not copied from any other source .

PRINCIPAL
GMC JAMMU