Tuesday, March 19News and updates from Kashmir

CULTURE

19-year-old Fazil Jan breathes new life into Karakuli craftsmanship

19-year-old Fazil Jan breathes new life into Karakuli craftsmanship

CULTURE
In Srinagar, a 19-year-old young boy, Fazil Jan, is not just preserving but reinvigorating the century-old tradition of Karakuli (Karakul) craftsmanship, a craft passed down through generations in his family. Karakuli caps have been worn by Kashmiri people for centuries and has become a part of the culture and identity of the locals. Taking hold of his family's business, Fazil has blended tradition with innovation, captivating a crowd of diverse clients including politicians like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Rahul Gandhi, as well as ministers and MLAs from Bangalore and Kashmir. Stepping into the shoes of his great grandfather, Fazil embraced the responsibility of running the iconic Karakuli shop in Srinagar after the passing of his grandfather in 2018. Reflecting on his journey, he re...
Muslims perform last rites of Kashmiri Pandit woman in Kulgam

Muslims perform last rites of Kashmiri Pandit woman in Kulgam

CULTURE
Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits continued to uphold the age-old bond of brotherhood and communal harmony by jointly performing the last rites of an 84-year-old Kashmir Pandit woman at Kahrote village of South Kashmir's Kulgam district on Saturday. Local sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the elderly Pandit woman, Soni Raina, wife of Badrinath Raina, was suffering from diabetes and passed away today. The family did not migrate in the 1990s, and she left behind five children. The local Muslims organized and performed her last rites, mourning her death as one of their own, and arranged wood for the cremation in the village. Badrinath Raina, husband of the deceased, said, "We have a strong connection with the Muslim community here in our village. The bond of...
Meet last Dard Shina artisans fighting to preserve Kashmir’s blanket weaving tradition

Meet last Dard Shina artisans fighting to preserve Kashmir’s blanket weaving tradition

CULTURE
Rayees Shah The blanket weaving artisans of the Dard Shina community in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district are grappling with the challenge of preserving their heritage due to a lack of recognition from the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom. These artisans originally hail from the picturesque Jawdara village of Gurez, now residing in parts of Ganderbal. A resilient community of the Dard-Shina tribe, they have been meticulously crafting traditional tribal blankets, shawls, woolen caps, and socks for generations. Following their displacement due to a devastating avalanche in 2005, they found solace and a new home in Chatergul Bala village, situated in Ganderbal district, where they continue to practice their craft with unwavering determination. Ghulam Mohammad, a 70-yea...
In Kashmir, Forest Guard suspended for wearing traditonal pheran

In Kashmir, Forest Guard suspended for wearing traditonal pheran

CULTURE
The suspension letter issued by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Langate has come under scrutiny for its alleged casteist undertones. The letter about the suspension of a forest guard for attire resembling that of a shepherd has raised concerns among rights activists and community members. While acknowledging the importance of proper attire for forest officials, the letter's association with shepherds has been deemed unacceptable by critics. Additionally, the denigration of the traditional Pheran attire has sparked outrage, with questions raised about the implications of such remarks on Kashmiri culture and identity. Rights activist, Advocate Mir Imran, expressed strong condemnation of the letter, stating in his Facebook post, "The alleged suspension letter viral on Facebook is...
Mohammed Aslam Bhat: Guardian of Kashmir’s copper craft legacy

Mohammed Aslam Bhat: Guardian of Kashmir’s copper craft legacy

CULTURE
Mohammed Aslam Bhat is on a pursuit to preserve the rich legacy of Kashmir’s copper ware craftsmanship. Amidst the rapid march of modernity, Bhat remains steadfast, continuing to craft exquisite copper art and products that embody the centuries of cultural heritage and his passion towards it. Bhat’s creative process is deeply rooted in his surroundings. From cycles to chairs, he finds inspiration in everyday objects, transforming them into intricate pieces of art. He strives to ensure that his work remains distinctly Kashmiri, even when it finds its way beyond the borders of the valley. “This craft requires hard work and if done with precision, it can bring great joy and financial satisfaction. Unemployment is on the rise and this craft has a lot of scope. I appeal to the new g...
Kashmir’s last staple artisan Ghulam Rasool Sofi fights to save Kashmir’s traditional craft

Kashmir’s last staple artisan Ghulam Rasool Sofi fights to save Kashmir’s traditional craft

CULTURE
Ghulam Rasool Sofi, aged 60, stands as the final bastion of a dying craft. Born into a lineage of artisans, he has dedicated his life to this handiwork that defines Kashmir's cultural heritage. However, as machines encroach upon tradition, Sofi's artistry faces an uncertain future. Talking with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), he explained the decline of his beloved crafts saying, “I challenge there will be no one like me in the whole of Kashmir skilled in this art.” “My work lands in many countries like Spain and America,” says Sofi, adding that the essence of his handiwork cannot be replicated by mechanized processes. Sofi's journey as an artisan has been marked by collaboration with esteemed personalities like Jamal Siraj. Together, they once reaped the rewards of th...
Microsoft adds Kashmiri language to translation services, Adbi Markaz welcomes move

Microsoft adds Kashmiri language to translation services, Adbi Markaz welcomes move

CULTURE
Shah Basit Taking a significant step towards linguistic inclusivity, Microsoft has recently expanded its Translator capabilities, adding four additional languages, including Kashmiri. With this development, the total count now reaches 20 supported Indian languages, edging closer to covering all 22 officially recognized languages in the country. This expansion notably addresses the linguistic needs of nearly 95% of India’s diverse population. Users can now access translation services across various platforms, such as the Microsoft Translator app, Edge browser, Office 365, Bing Translator, and Azure AI Translator API, which is utilized by companies like Jio Haptik and Koo. Azure AI Translator enables seamless translation between the newly introduced languages and over 135 others,...
Specialized academy to teach Kashmiri and Dogri at Delhi’s top universities

Specialized academy to teach Kashmiri and Dogri at Delhi’s top universities

CULTURE
A specialized academy is set to be established to provide language courses in Kashmiri and Dogri at Delhi University, Ambedkar University Delhi, and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) in New Delhi, as reported by The Indian Express. This initiative is geared towards supporting the promotion and preservation of the languages and culture of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in light of the diaspora of J&K residents, mainly comprising displaced migrants now residing in New Delhi. The Delhi Development Authority has already issued directives to identify a suitable location for the establishment of a Kashmiri-Dogri Academy, according to the report. Citing an official, The Indian Express mentioned that L-G VK Saxena has chaired two meetings on the matter. The Arts, Cul...
Renowned Kashmiri theatre director Mushtaq Kak passes away

Renowned Kashmiri theatre director Mushtaq Kak passes away

CULTURE
Renowned senior theatre director and recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi award, Mushtaq Kak, passed away at the age of 62 at his residence. Having directed over 100 plays and appeared in numerous Hindi movies, he breathed his last following a prolonged illness. His demise in Srinagar was widely condoled by locals and the artistic community of Kashmir paid tribute to his impactful legacy. Mushtaq Kak's influence spanned the realms of theatre and cinema. Recognized for his directorial prowess in acclaimed productions like “Andha Yug,” “Malika,” and “Pratibimb,” he left an indelible mark in the theatrical world. His adaptability shone through in works adapted from renowned writers such as Saadat Hasan Manto, Anton Chekhov, and Vijay Tendulkar. Moreover, his prese...
20,126 Pashmina Shawls, 9,700 carpets issued GI tags so far

20,126 Pashmina Shawls, 9,700 carpets issued GI tags so far

BUSINESS, CULTURE, REGIONAL
Jammu and Kashmir administration has achieved a milestone by issuing Geographic Indication labels to over 20,000 Pashmina shawls and 9000 carpets so far. Kashmir’s Pashmina shawls and carpet got GI tags in the years 2021 and 2022, respectively, to fight counter-branding. As per the data accessed by news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), till October, a total of 20,126 Pashmina Shawls have been issued GI labels. During the same period as many as 9,700 carpets have been also GI Tag labelled. GI tagging is a recognition granted to products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, reputation, or characteristics that are essentially attributable to that place of origin. This recognition not only adds value to the products but also protects the traditional me...