Simplicity has always been the heartbeat of Kashmiri life. It breathed through the gentle rhythm of changing seasons, the warmth of neighborly bonds, the aroma of Noon chai simmering in samovars, and the serene hush of snow-clad evenings. In this valley cradled by poets, saints, and artisans, life once flowed with an effortless grace unhurried, unpretentious, and unburdened by the vanity of excess or the hunger for display. But as Kashmir walks into the tides of modernity, one cannot help but wonder are we quietly letting go of this treasured simplicity in our restless pursuit of sophistication? Kashmir’s social fabric has always celebrated modesty.
Traditionally homes were small but filled with hospitality, neighbors were extensions of one’s family, and possessions were fewer but valued deeply. People measured wealth not in terms of gadgets or cars but in terms of contentment, respect and reputation for honesty. Even weddings once intimate gatherings under a decorated tent with homemade wazwan were simple affairs. Community labor reflected interdependence rather than extravagance. Festivals too were more about shared prayers folk songs and seasonal foods than about social display. This simplicity was not poverty it was cultural elegance. It gave Kashmir a distinct identity a philosophy of moderation and a serenity rare in a world increasingly obsessed with material growth.
But times have changed. Globalization, digital media, and a consumerist economy have redefined the very idea of a good life. Sophistication now means wearing branded Jeans and pherans, hosting lavish weddings in glittering banquet halls, flaunting iPhones, SUVs, Alcazars, Balenos and gold-laden trousseaus. Education too has been caught in this race.
Schools once admired for their modest but disciplined atmosphere are now judged by the sleekness of their buildings, the English accents of teachers, or the foreign trips of their alumni. Even religious functions and spiritual practices once marked by humility are becoming stages for grandeur and photoshoot. Not only males now females come on Social Media as western women empowerment Sharing every instant of their religious conference from wearing garland to melodious voice. Weddings see drone cameras hovering over bridegrooms on imported horses, while charity has turned into photo opportunities.
The ethos of less is more is quietly being replaced by the culture of show more, spend more. We have now competitive branded flavour from a needle to an aeroplane. We decorate homes only to impress our relatives and neighbours. I have seen employees during duty hours spending most of their time talking about I have this and that brand and discussing the cost of things they have used in their houses. Brand-consciousness is at its climax in Kashmiri society. I have seen many families destroy already a newly built house simply because its design was not according to the latest norms. Even children are now discussing brands more than studies. Women too are at the forefront saying this crockery is outdated and we must bring the latest fashionable one.
When guests arrive the only conversation is wow how dazzling this house is, not how warm its people are. Even in parties where someone has died, I have heard women discussing consumerism instead of consoling the bereaved family. Schools too have become signs of brand where parents say my son or daughter is in this or that school only to keep their social collar high. Even the food we eat is measured by which brand it comes from. At the time of marriage proposals, the first question is from where he has done MBBS or B.Tech because degrees are now also treated as brands and eligibility checks for giving hand to a daughter or son.
Now there is a clear cut difference between the rich relatives and others. The poor relatives though they carry great love in their hearts often feel fear and hesitation because of this brand and consumerism concept. Many of them now prefer to rely on phone calls rather than visiting such homes physically because they cannot compete with the glitter they see. Neighbours too feel a self-threat and are afraid even to talk with such families because of their hi-fi lifestyle. Conversations are reduced to I have this and that brand, this car and that car. This has created invisible walls within families and neighbourhoods where love should have flourished. Whereas Almighty Allah has bestowed us with His countless blessings we must be humble and down to earth so that people get inspired by our simplicity and pray may Almighty Allah grant us too like them and make us generous and kind after having such a huge luxurious life. The shift is not merely cultural it has psychological consequences.
Sophistication demands money and money demands relentless pursuit. Families burden themselves with debts to host weddings that outshine others. Parents sell land to admit their children into elite schools whose fees surpass their income. Youngsters influenced by Instagram aesthetics measure their self-worth in likes and followers rather than in real friendships. This race has silently created new forms of inequality. A poor bride feels ashamed if her wedding lacks glamour. Students from humble schools feel inferior before peers carrying iPads and studying in air-conditioned classrooms. The traditional Kashmiri comfort in modesty is giving way to anxiety competition and alienation. In the process we are losing the poetry of everyday life.
The Kashmiri morning once began with the crackling of kangris and the call of the muezzin echoing through wooden mosques. Today it begins with mobile notifications and hurried plans. Village evenings once filled with folklore around the hearth are now replaced by television serials and online scrolling. Handcrafted objects like papier-mâché wood carving and hand-woven carpets are being sidelined by mass-produced factory goods. The soul of Kashmir the quiet dignity of simplicity is being drowned in the noise of sophistication. This transformation has also widened the generational gap. Elders often lament our children no longer value what we valued. For them a modest life symbolized gratitude.
For the younger generation sophistication represents success modernity and global belonging. Neither side is entirely wrong. The desire to progress to seek comfort to aspire for better opportunities is natural. Yet the tragedy lies in mistaking extravagance for progress. True sophistication should mean refinement of thought culture and values not the blind imitation of urban consumerism. Kashmir stands today at a delicate crossroad. Should it resist the tide of sophistication and preserve its simplicity or should it assimilate into a global culture of consumption? The answer perhaps lies in balance. Simplicity does not mean stagnation. It does not reject education technology or prosperity. What it rejects is excess arrogance and waste. Similarly sophistication need not mean hollow showmanship it could mean adopting refinement in manners innovation in art and excellence in education. If sophistication is redefined as intellectual depth rather than material glitter Kashmir can retain its soul while still engaging with the modern world.
To revive simplicity Kashmir needs conscious cultural choices. Schools must teach humility empathy and community service alongside academics. Weddings and festivals can be made meaningful by focusing on togetherness rather than luxury. Valuing local art crafts and foods helps resist the invasion of soulless mass consumption. Using technology as a tool rather than a master can restore real human connections. Intellectuals religious leaders and policymakers should lead by example showing that dignity lies in modesty not extravagance.
The soul of Kashmir has always thrived in its ability to live simply yet profoundly. The snow-peaked mountains the tranquil Dal the chinar leaves falling in autumn all remind us that beauty does not need adornment. In chasing sophistication Kashmir risks losing not just its cultural charm but also its mental peace. True refinement lies not in expensive banquets or designer labels but in kindness honesty hospitality and wisdom the very values that once made Kashmir a paradise not just of nature but of humanity. So as we stand at this cultural juncture the question is not whether to embrace modernity or not but whether we can embrace it without losing ourselves. Simplicity must not be buried under the weight of sophistication it must be its guiding light. For in the end it is simplicity not show that sustains civilizations.
The writer is a columnist who writes on society, culture, Science, ethics, AI and education with a focus on Kashmir’s contemporary challenges. Author can be reached at umairulumar77@gmail.com
