Art Integration Project

Subject: English
 Culture
The culture of Kashmir is a blend of
multiple customs and came from
Northern India, Northern Pakistan
and the Chinese territory of Aksai
Chin. The state enjoys the presence
of mix religions and that’s why
Kashmir is famous for its cultural
heritage. It amalgamates Hindu,
Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist people
who make Kashmir more beautiful
by adopting their own culture.
 Origin, Background & People
The Kashmiri population in an ethno-
linguistic group that can be compared
with an Indo-Greek with their racial
structure of the Kashmiris. The native of
Kashmiri people lives in Pakistan, Upper
Punjab and Potohar where they organize
a group and live together. Although,
Kashmiri people live in different parts of
India they are mainly gathered in the
Valley of Kashmir, Doda, Kishtwar and
Ramban thasils of Jammu Division. Their
language is highly influenced by the
Sanskrit language and mostly spoken by
Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Hindus.
 Cuisines
Kashmir has some mouth-watering
cuisine in both vegetarian and non-
vegetarian dishes. The popular dishes of
meat are Kashmiri Kebag, Rogan Josh,
Yakhni, Pasanda, Syun Alu and Methi
Keema. All the non-vegetarian lovers
will have a lot to choose from. Some of
the famous vegetarian dishes include
Hak, Rajmah, Zarda, Tursh, Shree Pulao,
Nadeir Yakhaen, and Ladyar Tsaman.
These dishes are prepared with fresh
vegetables with paneer to give an
interesting taste to the cuisine.
 Costumes
The costume of Kashmiri people is very
colorful and attractive. The majority of
people wear traditional costume and
women attire themselves with gorgeous
jewelry like nose ring, bangles, earrings,
necklaces and lose salwar kamiz which
make them comfortable during the hot
season. Whereas, men dress themselves
in kurta pajama, shalwars, gurabi and
skullcaps. Pheran is kind of overcoat
wore by Kashmiri people during winter
which is decorated with colorful patches
and embroidery work.
 Festivals and Observances
A large number of festivals are celebrated
by Kashmiri people with full joy and
enthusiasm. Besides a panoramic view of
the landscape, J & K is a home to rich
cultural heritage and it is easily reflected
by the festival celebration by the Kashmiri
people. Some of the popular festivals are
Baishakhi, Lohri, Eid-ul-Fitr, Hemis festival,
Tulip Festival, Shikara Festival, Gurez
Festival, Sindu Darshan and Domoche. A
large number of people gather during the
festive season and enjoy these auspicious
days with lots of enthusiasm.
 Handicrafts
Kashmir is a popular place for their
beautiful and unique Handicraft. The
Pashmina Shawl is famous worldwide
for its quality and fabric. Almost every
woman love and desire Pashmina
Shawl as it symbolizes royalty. The
design and embroidery work on the
shawl is breathtaking also, the warmth
and softness that it offers is
completely matchless. Kashmir is also
famous for their hand-knotted carpets
and woolen rugs having floral design.
 Dance and Music
Kashmir has its own style of dance
performance and music that is simple and
fabulous. Almost every festival and fair
consists of dance and music that is a big
attraction for tourist also. There is a wide
variety of dance and music that is performed
according to the occasion. One of the
popular dance forms is Mask dance that is
performed during the Hemis Festival. The
dancers wear colorful costume, wear face
mask and brocade robes and do ceremonial
dances. Other major dance forms are Chakri,
Ladishah, Ruf dance and Dandaras dance.
Roul, Dogri and Wuegi-Nachun are some of
the forms of folk dance.
 Occupation
Kashmir occupation is majorly involved
in agriculture and popular cultivated
items include Rice, Maize, Mustard,
Cottom seed, Radish, Onions, Gourd,
Lotus-stalk, Linseed, Carrots, etc. The
climatic condition of Kashmir also helps
in cultivation of fruits like mulberry,
grapes, plums, apples, cherries,
apricots, walnuts, almond, etc.
Agricultural exports and exports of
handicrafts, shawls, and rugs bring the
state a handsome amount of
foreign exchange.
 Jewelry
Earrings, anklets and bangles are
widely used apart from the use of
ornamentation in clothing.
Dejharoos or golden pendants (the
Kashmiri panditani’s mangal-sutra)
are worn by Hindu women. These
Dejharoos comprise two decorative
gold pendants which are suspended
through gold chains or silk threads.
It is symbolic of a woman’s married
status among the Kashmiri Pandits.
 Gujjars
The people who live on the hilly region of
Kashmir are known as Gujjars. The
women of Gujjar community wear the
Kashmir dress which is similar with the
dresses of women who live in the Turkish
village. The Gujjar women are dressed in
loose sleeved tunics (a full skirt) but they
like loose sleeves with baggy salwars.
They also wear a thick curtain over their
face, which is long till their shoulders.
The hair of the Gujjar woman, are
knotted with more than one plaits, which
they like to hang on the front side.
 Architecture
The Jhelum River was the only means
of transport initially which resulted in
the creation of ghats as a transport
landing point and a range of residences
with wooden balconies and complex
gridwork evolved along the canals and
riverfronts.Because the economy of
Kashmir is largely dependent on
agriculture and the combined
activities, the cities, especially Srinagar,
never had the wealth to undertake a
significant urban reconstruction.
 Tourism
In Jammu and Kashmir, one can never
run out of locations to explore. The
region is full of scenic views, wonderful
flora, magnificent architecture. There are
picturesque homestays and eco-friendly
resorts to select from. Those with a
thrilling mind will find a multiplicity of
activities that await them. Finally, the
countless religious sanctuaries show
tourists the road to calm and tranquillity,
if they are spiritually inclined.The
Himalayas are famous for their natural
beauty and their gentleness.
 Languages
The most common languages of Kashmir are
Urdu, Hindi, Ladakhi, Purig, Tibetan, English,
Kashmiri, and Dogri. The foremost language
of Kashmir is Kashmiri. Hindi is mostly used
by Gujjar and Kashmiri Pandits. Dogri also
known at times as the Pahari language, this
is mostly used by people known as Dogras
from the Duggar region. Urdu is mostly used
by the Muslims in the region. English is the
world language that is mostly used by
businessmen, shopkeepers, guides, and the
locals for easier communication with the
tourists. As per the recent language bill
passed by the Lok Sabha, the official
languages of Kashmir are Dogri, Kashmiri,
Urdu, English, and Hindi.
 Religions
In various sections of Jammu and Kashmir,
three main faiths are visibly prevalent.
Islam obviously dominates the Kashmir
Valley in terms of the entire population
and thus the valley is full of Muslim
inhabitants. Besides that, Hinduism and
Buddhism also form major parts of
Kashmir’s religions. Buddhist adherents
live in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ladakh
district. The culture of Kashmir deserves
true admiration and the traditions of the
region as well its various specialties reflect
the beautiful culture of Kashmir and we
must do our best to preserve it.
Presentation Done By,
XI ‘B’ Students:
• Narmatha Kumari R
• Shahana Sree K J
• Sri Lekha S J
• Vennila A
• Shalini M A
• Varsha Balaji
• Yeshika
Thank you