Constituting ‘Heritage Authority’
It is tragic that several heritage buildings serve as the office complexes for different departments
Finally the state government seems to have woken up to the heritage preservation concerns and has constituted the ‘Jammu & Kashmir Heritage Conservation and Preservation Authority’. Although government had earlier passed the heritage bill and setting up of a heritage authority was the need of the day, it was only a matter of time as […]
Remembering the great saint
Ya Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani (R A)
Even after suffering the prevailing unfavorable political conditions for decades now and also the changing social fabric as well as the onslaught of modernization, Kashmiri society, which has otherwise undergone tremendous changes, continues to cherish its beloved Sufi traditions and upholds the rich legacy of the saints and sufi’s. People throng shrines, particularly on Urs […]
The art of traditional flooring is fading from the scene!
Besides the traditional flooring including Patej and Wagu about which I have discussed, in my last column, the art of Gabba making was too a fine tradition in Kashmir and it also seems meeting the same fate as the previous ones. It had a very special place among the customary floorings that were homemade and […]
The abysmal state of traditional Mat manufacturing in Kashmir
The domestic industry in Kashmir, better known as Kashmir handicrafts, has lost its pristine glory and traditional touch as several crafts have disappeared from the markets, while many others are dying fast. There are several reasons responsible for the decay but, truly speaking, I am not writing this column to discuss those reasons as I […]
The forgotten art of Paper making
The Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums is organizing a workshop on paper making and calligraphy at SPS Museum Srinagar. This is very interesting event where perhaps for the first time a demonstration would be given on traditional art of paper making, though there have been workshops on the art of calligraphy earlier as well. […]
Pharan and Kanger
With the change in the social fabric of the society with as many modern influences hovering over it as ever, people of Kashmir stick to the tradition when it comes to Pheran (typical Kashmiri gown for winters) and Kangri (traditional fire pot). Give credit to the lack of basic facilities like electricity and heat technology […]
Preserving the Historic documents
Preservation of human records means preserving the history. There are plenty of ancient written records available in Kashmir, but unfortunately these records are scattered and kept in hazardous manner in various olden institutes of the state. The state archival repositories, libraries museums and several private institutions and individuals have these ancient records. These records need […]
Preserving Aliabad sarai
Aliabad is not any village or town , it simply a meadow in the internal stretch of panchal lying on the historic Mughal highway which connects Poonch and Rajouri districts with Kashmir valley. There are no permanent settlers found anywhere in the Aliabad stretch , but as records say there was once a hamlet of […]
Calligraphy a forgotten art
In ancient times, when paper was not available to the literate class, they used to produce their writings in engraved form, on rocks, stones, coins etc. Later on when paper was invented, doors were left open for calligraphists to meet their needs and exhibit their artistic skill. After centuries together, writing appeared on paper. Initially […]
The early days of the vale!
Much has been written and said about the pre-historic cultures of Kashmir and it is widely believed that man of that period had been living a nomadic style of life and used the natural caves as shelters. During the last few decades Archaeologists have discovered few ancient cave settlements. They have also found the tools […]
