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| Know more about Kashmir - Quick Links |
| Culture & Lifestyle in Kashmir |
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Kashmir plays a vtal role in the economy of Kashmir Valley. For centuries, it has attracted people from far and wide to its scenic locales. So, it is no wonder that tourism forms a substantial element of the city's economy. For decades, massive contribution to the economy has come from tourism. However, in the recent past, a downslide came with the insurgent activities by some terrorists and unsocial elements. However, the good news is that the situation has improved manifolds. Tourists are again coming to Srinagar in huge numbers. |
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| PEOPLE IN KASHMIR |
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People of Srinagar are great patrons of performing arts. The traditional folk theatre namely Bhand Pather shows social evils in a satirical fashion. The Kashmiri music of Sufiana genre is also very melodious. This music uses Kashmiri Saz, Santoor, Tabla, Sitar and Wasool. The dance form of Hafiz Nagma performed along with Sufiana music is also a treat to watch.
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Kashmiri Pandits live a simple and frugal life. Individualistic and largely intellectual, they avoid manual labor and cling to professional and administrative jobs. Due to the terrorist activities lately, many of them have been uprooted from their homeland but the government has been trying to relocate them here. The Kashmiri Pandits do not have castes like Hindus in the rest of India.Besides Dogras the Brahmins are also there who are mainly engaged in agriculture.The Chibbalis and the Sudans are also one of the Muslim martial races. Khatris and Majhajans in Jammu follow trade and commerce while the Harijans are also there. The Paharis are the warm and friendly people who are mentally and physically quite strong. The Kishtawari populations are quite simple village folk who still believe in age old superstitions and lead a simple life. Uniqueness in people, culture and lifestyle in Jammu is visible in every sphere.
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| CULTURE IN KASHMIR |
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Distinct from the rest of the country, Jammu and Kashmir sports a multifaceted, multicolored and unique cultural blend. Not only the geographical conditions of the state are different but it can also be set apart demographically with varied ethical and social entities, diversity of religions flourishing in the area, different language and cultural forms and heritage albeit with an over-reigning harmony that blends in with the serenity and beauty of the region. |
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One gets dazed by the sheer diversity and richness of art and architecture, fairs and festivals, rites and rituals, seers and sagas, languages and mountains that thrive amongst the unparalleled cultural cohesion, which is exemplary. Kashmir has been the highest learning centre of Sanskrit and Persian as Indo-Aryanic civilization has originated and flourished here. It also embraced the advent of Islam along with the virtues of Persian civilization such as tolerance, brotherhood and sacrifice. Nature's grand finale of beauty, Kashmir is the masterpiece of earth's creation and the folk performances of Kashmir are intimately mingled with the moods and movements of the seasons.
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| LIFESTYLE IN KASHMIR |
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Kashmir region has its own musical performances that have won the hearts of many of its visitors. Bhand Pather is a traditional folk theatre style exhibiting combination of play and dance in a satirical style where social traditions, and evils are depicted and performed in various social and cultural functions. Bhand Jashan is performed by a group of 10 to 15 artists in their traditional style accompanied by light music for the entertainment of people. |
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The most popular form of Kashmiri folk music is called Chakri that bears resemblance to Chakra of mountainous regions of Uttar Pradesh. It was accompanied by Garaha, Sarangi, Rabab once as the musical instruments but today harmonium plays an important role in its presentation. Sufiana Music migrated to Kashmir from Iran in the 15th century and flourished here as the classical music form of Kashmir. It absorbed a number of Indian Ragas and Hafiz Nagma was once a part of Sofiana Music. In Hafiz Nagma a dancer is a female while her accompanists on various instruments are males. An Hafiza (dancer) moves her feet on musical notes. The instruments that go with this form are Santoor, Sitar, Kashmiri Saz, Wasool or Tabala. Today, only a few families in Kashmir are practicing this musical for.
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