CULTURE

Sheikh Nadeem Hafsa Tanveer, a 10-year-old self-taught artist from South Kashmir's Anantnag district, is pursuing her dream to revive Calligraphy Art. Hafsa Tanveer, who practices calligraphy in all languages, says her hobby has deepened over the past few years. “My calligraphy looks more like a painting. My classmates find it very attractive. It is difficult and time-consuming to create calligraphy with painting brushes. It requires patience and focus,” she said. Hafsa Tanveer, daughter of Tanveer Ahmad Thakur, a 6th Standard Student at Scholars Scientific, hails from DC Colony Mominabad, Anantnag District, says calligraphy is the most intimate, private, and spontaneous form of expression, and it's unique for every person. She wants to pursue this art along with her studies. She ...

Eid-ul-Fitr was joyously observed across Kashmir with great fervor on Wednesday, as throngs of devotees assembled for prayers. Srinagar's historic Jamia Masjid was shut by the authorities disallowing eid congregation prayers in the mosque. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the head cleric was placed under house arrest and the mosque locked down on the ocassion of Eid ul Fitr, Anjuman Auqad committee said. In Srinagar, massive congregations were held at Dargah Hazratbal, Khanqah e Moula along with other Khanqahs. In south Kashmir, the largest congregation was held at Eidgah Janglat Mandi where prayers were allowed by authorities post several years. Large number of devotees attended eid prayers as the streets wore a festive look with devotees marching the lanes and streets of the t...

In a heartwarming display of communal harmony, Kashmiri Pandits organised a Street Iftaar in the historic neighbourhood of Bohri Kadal in Downtown Srinagar. Despite the bustling streets and wet weather conditions, the distribution of Iftaar Kits aimed to foster unity and understanding among people of different backgrounds. According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the distribution of Iftaar Kits was led by Sandeep Mawa, a Kashmiri Pandit and a respected figure in the community. Mawa is the Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Reconciliation Front. Speaking about the kit distribution, Sandeep expressed his joy at seeing people from all walks of life gathering to share a meal and exchange warm greetings. He emphasised the need for such initiatives to continue bridging d...

Suhail Dar Thousands of Sunnis thronged mosques across Kashmir on Monday to pay homage to the last caliph of Islam Hazrat Ali (RA) on the occasion of his martyrdom anniversary. The martyrdom anniversary is observed on the 21st day of Ramadan. In Kashmir valley, the largest congregation was held at the Hazratbal Khanqah of Srinagar, where the holy relic was displayed to thousands of devotees. Imambargahs across the valley were abuzz with Shia devotees who also prayed for peace in the Kashmir valley. The largest congregations were held in Bemina and Pattan, where Aga Hadi Kashmiri and Molvi Masroor Abbas addressed the gatherings. Local residents expressed their deep respect for the significance of his martyrdom. Amir Hussain, a resident of Zadibal Srinagar, remarked, "This day...

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 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...

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...

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 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...

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...