‘Fall o snow! come, o brother!’
By: Shaheen Safdar
Snow is to Kashmir what blood is to the human body. Heavy snowfall in winter is the harbinger of a merry summer. The deep frozen snow on mountains and highlands keep its streams and rivers joyously flowing during hot summers sustaining its beauty. Heavy snowfall in midwinter thrills the agriculturists most, for it guarantees sufficient water needed the most in summer. White flakes of snow carpeting its mountains, gorges, meadows and plateaus turn Kashmir into a magic land exhilarating an adventurist, a pleasure sleeker and a commoner alike. A little snow means a bad harvest.
A winter in Kashmir must be experienced to be realized. For the locals, ChillaiKalan (Forty day long sever cold winter period) is the time for leisure, enjoyment and party. It is celebrated with relishing Harisa (a mashed mutton delicacy) served with fresh bread, followed by a cup of nun chai (salt tea).
In recent years, Kashmir has witnessed a declining trend in snowfall and current winter season stands remarkable as there has been no snowfall even in the mountainous areas. Absence of snow caused substantial decrease in tourist footfall and therefore adversely affecting our businesses apart from long term climatic consequences.
The tourism downturn, forest fires and Agricultural droughts, Hydroelectricity generation, Glacier melting, drinking water supply etc are at stake.
The inherited traits of people in Kashmir to prepare themselves in advance for winter has a grace and glory like provisions for woollens, especially Pheran (traditional gown), charcoal for Kangri and wood for Hamam (an exclusive room with stone slab flooring underneath of which exists a hallow space for burning wood to keep the room warm) is readied before the arrival of winter.
We can’t forget the preparations for dry vegetables with ease and perfection by our elderly ladies. Now we rarely experience such practices of sun drying vegetables during summer that are mostly consumed during winters. Very few people now cherish these sun dried vegetables and therefore miss the traditional cuisine to fast foods.
Our present generation hardly knows about the Santa clause of Kashmiri Pandits. On Amavasya (moon less night) of Poh, which falls in mid chillaikalan, Kashmiri Pandits would observe a special day known as khartchimaavas and would cook khartcher- dish made of split pulses and rice together- as an offering to Kubair, a yaksha (nature spirit) who, according to their belief is the custodian of wealth and visits them in chilly winter night to distribute wealth and gifts. They offer him khartcher. Kubair is the Santa clause of Kashmiri Pandits. During night, the offering is kept outside the living place along with flowers and earthen burning lamps. It is believed that the short statured yaksha wears a cap and anyone who can take it away and keep it under the hand is bestowed with wealth. The non-vegetarian pandits also make offering of mutton or fish and vegetarian foods and also cook cheese instead of red or white meat.
Who can forget the famous Kashmiri telling (Dalleil) during the long nights of chillaikalan. Listening to stories of heroes from local folklore narrated by the elder members of the family, usually by the granny or grandpa was common past time of children until recently when digital medium of entertainment such as cartoons, rhymes, video games were unknown. Above all, snowfall was the time for great enjoyment for children. The joy of walking over the fresh snow, leaving footmarks on it and enjoying the crispy sound it generated is unmatched.
A wooden sandal known as Khraav was the common footwear besides another typical foot wear known as Pulhor that was made of paddy straw is now being showcased in museums alone.
The customs like Sheen Short (snow bet) is confined to records only. Since old times the, Kashmiri people would follow the sheen short according to which the people make jokes upon one another on the day first of snowfall. A person would take a piece of the fresh snow, conceal it in paper or something and give it to a friend as if passing some important thing.
