Kashmiri Culture
Cultural heritage of Kashmir is as multi-dimensional as the
variegated backdrop of its physical exuberance which has nursed and
inspired it all along. Its sanctity and evergreen stature can be
conveniently inferred from the chaste shimmering snow, with its
virgin demeanour from top to toe, adorning the towering peaks of its
mountainous periphery. Mellowing kisses of the sun endow these
summits with a rosy blush lending perennial health to our warbling
brooks, roaring waterfalls and sedate and solemn lakes. To crown
all, this very nectarine glow has most meaningfully groomed our
mental attitude to glean unity amidst seeming diversity.
Culture is always in a flux and ferment. It is a non-stop mental
journey with no mile-posts to cool its heels upon. It is, precisely
speaking, the cumulative expression of the values enshrined in the
heart-beats of the denizens of this Happy Valley. The irresistible
stamp of Buddhist compassion, Hindu tolerance and Muslim Zest for
life is most unmistakably discernible from the attainments of
Kashmiri mind and intellect.
In the foregoing web pages, we have made a humble attempt to portray
this very salient trait of our culture.
Kashmiri Food
Kashmiri food can be the simple meal of a family, or a 36-course
wedding banquet called Wazwan. The staple diet of every Kashmiri is
rice; the most preferred being the dense, slightly sticky grained
Kashmir variety, which is prized in the Valley.
Mutton, chicken or fish are of prime importance in Kashmiri meal and
everyday cooking often combines vegetable and meat in the same dish.
Mutton and turnips, chicken and spinach, fish and lotus root are
also very popular combinations. Pure vegetarian dishes include
dum-aloo - roasted potatoes in curd-based gravy, and chaman- fried
paneer (cottage cheese), in a thick sauce. Non-vegetarian dishes are
considered in Kashmir to be a sign of lavish hospitality and at a
Wazwan or banquet, not more than one or two vegetarian dishes are
served. Sweets do not play an important role in Kashmiri cuisine.
Instead Kahva or green tea is used to wash down a meal.
The waza (cooks) preparing Wazwan
Wazwan is usually served at weddings and parties. The most commonly served items are rista (meat balls) made of finely pounded mutton and cooked in a gravy; seekh kababs, tabak maz, or flat pieces of meat cut from the ribs and fried till they acquire a crisp crackling texture, roganjosh, which owes its rich red colour to the generous use of Kashmiri chillies. Yakhni, a cream coloured preparation of delicate flavour, is made with curd as a base. Gushtaba, which is the last item to be served in a traditional Wazwan, are meatballs moulded from pounded mutton like large-sized Rista but cooked in thick gravy of fresh curd base. Dam-Aaloo and chaman are the commonly served vegetarian dishes - to serve more than this would indicate an unseemly tendency on the part of the host to economize!
Several restaurants in Srinagar serve Kashmiri Wazwan on their menus. Mughal Durabar, Ahdoos and Grand, on the Residency Road, offer authentic Wazwan. Similarly, Broadway Hotel on Maulana Azad Road arranges Wazwan prepared by professionals.
Kashmiri Clothing
Kashmir Hub offers you a unique opportunity to understand the ways of the people of Kashmir especially with respect to their clothing. As far as the clothing is concerned the phiran is a commonly worn garment. It is a gown usually made of wool and has a lot of embroidery work done on it. These gowns are decorated with colourful floral motifs and designs.
Tours and travel to the picturesque and beautiful Kashmir can be a special treat as most people on the streets can be seen wearing the tradition gown or the phiran. Both men and women find it easy and comfortable to wear these phirans as they are very warm and loose and can accommodate hot water bags or little earthen pots with burning coal. This arrangement helps these people to stay warm in the extremely cold climate.
Kashmir is very popular for its Pashmina shawls. These shawls are made from the traditional woollen textile. This woollen textile is obtained from the mountain goat. These shawls have intricate thread work done on them. These shawls have work done on both the sides. Kashmiri embroidery is called kasida. The special feature of the kasida work is that it is done in such a manner that the patterns appear in a uniform fashion on both sides of the fabric. The Kashmiri stoles are very popular. Many Kashmiri women who follow Islam wear the abaya. Tours and travel to the Kashmir region usually tempts tourists to go on shopping sprees.
Kashmiri women have a fetish for silver jewellery. Most Kashmiri women wear silver chains with heavy pendants with intricate work done on them. They wear heavy silver earnings. The traditional earring is huge, made of silver and usually available in bell shaped variations. Men wear coats made of camel hair, cashmere and brocade.
Kashmir Hub offers you details of the type of clothes and jewelry worn by the people of Kashmir.
Shopping in Kashmir
Shopping in Kashmir is a truly an overwhelming and delightful experience. A shopper's paradise, Kashmir offers numerous shopping attractions to its visitors. The amazing handicrafts of the valley of Kashmir truly match its scenic beauty. A tour to Kashmir will leave you mesmerized not only with the beauty of the state, but also with its remarkable arts and crafts. A reflection of the colourful life of the Kashmiris, Kashmiri handicrafts are usually made by the women folk of the family.
Before you set out on the trip to Kashmir, is it advisable that you get to know the local handicrafts and other shopping items of Kashmir. This Kashmir shopping guide will help you further to explore the popular shopping items and shopping destinations of the Kashmir valley.
Kashmiri handicrafts are known for their uniqueness and work far and wide. Some of the handicraft items of Kashmir have even earned global recognition. The Pashmina shawls of Kashmir are one of such handicraft items that are famous throughout the world. Have a look at some of the main shopping attractions of Jammu and Kashmir include Carpets, Papier-mache, Shawls, Silk and Tweeds, Woodwork, Pherans, Brass, Copper and Silverware, Wall hangings with naqqashi work, Chain Stitch Embroidery, Saris Cricket Bats, Wicker baskets, Crewel Furnishings, Namdas etc.
Silk and Tweeds:- Kashmir silk and tweed are some of the items that are invariably high on the shopping list of all those coming to the Kashmir valley. In fact, sericulture and tweed weaving counts amongst the important occupations of the Kashmiris.
Papier-mache:- The papier-mache of Kashmir is a popular handicraft item. Even though all the paper-matches of Kashmir look similar at first glance, they command different prices. The price depends upon the type and the quality of the product.
Shawls:- The Kashmir valley is known for its shawls throughout the world. Kashmir shawls are mainly of three types- wool, pashmina and shahtoosh. They differ on the basis of the fabric used to make them. Simultaneously, all these shawls differ to a great extent in their prices also.
Carpets:- The handmade carpets of Kashmir are famous throughout the world. Though quite expensive, Kashmiri carpets are a worthwhile lifelong investment. Apart from being always handmade, another quality of Kashmir carpets is that they are always knotted, never tufted.
Silk and Tweeds:- Kashmir silk and tweed are some of the items that are invariably high on the shopping list of all those coming to the Kashmir valley. In fact, sericulture and tweed weaving counts amongst the important occupations of the Kashmiris.
Woodwork:- The wooden carvings of Kashmir are quite popular throughout the country. The exquisite woodcarvings are proof of the skill and talent of the traditional craftsmen of Kashmir.
The shopping places in Kashmir consist of privately owned as well as the government emporia. If you are visiting private shops then a little bit of bargain is advisable otherwise the Government Emporiums are safe bait.