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 demeanor 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.

 - by Professor K. N. Dhar
Text reproduced from Glimpses of Kashmiri Culture

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Kashmir: Crown of India Kashmir occupies a special place in India, because of its geographic location, its scenic splendour, and its great contributions to the arts and culture of India. In the history of our Republic is written another chapter on the unique issue of Kashmir. Its strategic position adds one more dimension to the overall security of this sub-continent. >>>		Gems of Kashmiri Literature and Kashmiriyat The author has taken great pains, despite his old age, to analyse with clarity and vision the spiritual philosophy of the three saint poets all of whom urge the sadhak to retire within, from without, as the best means of realising the Truth. In this way, he has rendered Yeoman's service to his mother- tongue and motherland both and his work will surely be judged as a good contribution on his part. >>>
Glimpses of Kashmiri Culture In the foregoing web pages, an attempt has been made to portray the universal truth that to-day is nothing but the rebirth of yesterday, with its heart-beats intact. Environs do change, irrepressible strains and stresses do haunt the body, yet the soul remains always unaffected and, consequently, unruffled. >>>		De Leij A Cookbook of All Popular Kashmiri Dishes along with a Guide to Healthy Eating. >>>
Tales of Kashmir Painstakingly spun over the years, these stories, including folk-tales and historical tales, are bound to exercise a charm over people of all ages, even as the beautiful locale of Kashmir does. Bringing an assorted collection together in this Prestigious volume, the author calls it his magnum opus. >>>		Hatim's Tales These stories and songs were recited to Sir Auren Stein in June and July, 1896, at Mohand Marg, in Kashmir, by Hatim Tilawon, of Panzil, in the Sind Valley, a cultivator and professional story-teller. >>>
Autumn Leaves: Kashmiri Reminiscences Kashmir has a unique tradition of recording history. This book, in this tradition, presents the intimate life of a Kashmiri in the post-independence era. Such a personal story is a rarity in India. Ram Nath Kak draws compelling vignettes of everyday life; a hard childhood, life as a government official, drama of the war with Pakistan, meetings with mystics, and so on. >>>		Sociology of Names and Nicknames of India Nicknames in India in general, and in Kashmir in particular, have been developed and nourished to their possible ends. Present Kashmiri surnames are almost cent per cent specimen of Nicknames. Though, often they are repulsive and obnoxious, yet their utility as individualising elements and marks of identification cannot be ignored. >>>
Folk Tales from Kashmir Nine hundred years ago a remarkable collection of stories called Kathasaritsagara, the ''Ocean of Stories", was produced in Kashmir. Somadeva, its author, is said to have included in this tome many stories which he had heard from others and which, in fact, had their origin in folk-literature. >>>		Kashmiri Short Stories The short story emerged in the Kashmiri language in 1950 as a literary form distinct from the centuries, old folk tale, fable and parable. During the past forty-six years, it has been accepting the influence of all the experiments in the technique of the shorter fiction. The three distinguishable phases in Kashmiri short story faithfully reflect the changing life patterns of the Kashmiris and the related cultural framework. Through a spectrum of characters and events the twenty five short stories in this volume image the subjective reality of the individuals as well as the social ambience that circumscribes them.  >>>
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