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Culture of Jammu & Kashmir |
Jammu
and Kashmir or J&K has the
distinctiveness of having multihued, motley of unique cultural
blend, differentiating it from the rest of the country. Jammu & Kashmir
is not only different in cultural forms and heritage, but also
different in geographical, demographically, ethical and social
entities from other parts of the country. The state is accurately
shaped into a spectrum of variance and variation.
Clearly visible
in the distinct parts - Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, all yielding
diverse religion, language and culture,
but constantly interfusing, making it sparkling specimens
of Indian unity in diversity. The various cultural forms like
art & architecture, fairs & festivals, rites & rituals,
seers & sagas, languages and landscapes, mounted on the
ageless era of history, speaks aloud of uniformity and diversity
with matchless cultural symmetry & service. |
Kashmir has been the highest learning point
of Sanskrit and Persian where early Indo-
Arabic
civilization
has originated and flourished. Ladakh on the other side, has
been the highest living centre of Tantrayan Buddhism. Similarly
Jammu, has been the axis of Rajas and Maharajas, who have enriched
the cultural, historical and social bonds of all these diverse
ethnic and linguistic sections of the state. Kashmir is justly
said to be the Nature's grand finale of beauty. Nature has left
an indelible mark on the folk performances of Kashmir as they
are intimately
interlined with the moods and movements of the seasons.
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Jammu the land of the Dogras, offer an entirely different fare
of dances and music. Over the
century’s long spell of
separation
from their soldier, husbands and brothers have led the hardy
but graceful women of the Duggar to evolve many diverting dances
and songs to keep themselves in cheer in their free moments.
The songs of
separation
the ever increasing yearning for reunion
with the beloved, the hard life on the mountain slopes and various
other themes connected with their day-to-day life find their
echo in folk songs and dances. The valley of Kashmir is described
as an emerald set in pearls, a land of lakes, clear streams,
green turf, magnificent trees
and mighty mountains.
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Although Kashmir has a rich
heritage of poets, writers, philosophers, intellectuals and craftsmen
but it has basically established itself as an agricultural economy. Kashmiris form a distinct cultural
and ethnic group in the administrative unit of the Himalayan
state of Jammu and Kashmir, known as "Kashir" to the
inhabitants of the valley and as Kashmir in the official circles.
Perched securely among the Himalayas at an average height of
6,000 feet above the sea. North, east and west, range after range
of mountains guard the valley from the outer world while on the
south it is cut off from the Punjab by rocky barriers fifty to
seventy five miles in length. |
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A journey of few
days from Kashmir carries one into countries of new languages,
customs and religions like the primitive Shins who live along the spurs of
mighty Nanga Parbat, the Mongolian Baltis of little Tibet and the simple
Ladakhis, Buddhists and polyandrists. Kashmiris inhabit contiguous areas of
Jammu region in Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Gool, Gulabgarh, Mahour,
Dudu and Bani areas of Kathua district. Kashmiri language
is spoken in all these areas of Jammu region and ethnically and culturally this
forms a compact area along with valley of Kashmir. |
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