Lifestyle

 

Cuisine

 

Kashmir is a Gourmet's heaven and Kashmiri hospitality is world famous. This is the main reason for development of their culinary art. In Kashmir it is said that the food should both taste and look good. Its aroma must be appetizing. Success of a meal lies in its appeal to the eyes, nose and then the tongue.

Different rulers and visitors, who arrived in the past from Persia, Afghanistan and other places influenced the cuisine of this land. Meat Dishes and different Pulaos (rice dishes) were inspired by Mughal rulers.

Kashmiris like to relish their delicious and spicy food in beautiful surroundings. Hence they go on outdoor picnics or organize boat parties in dungas (large boats) plying on Dal or other lakes.

 

Wazwan

 

It is a memorable experience for an outsider to participate in a Kashmiri banquet or a lavish feast called Wazwan. The custom of preparing and serving the exclusive dishes is unique to Kashmir. Waza is derived from Sanskrit word “vaj” meaning cook and Wan means shop in Kashmiri. The chief cook or Waza sets up his kitchen or catering shop in the backyard of the house of the host with his team of cooks. The Wazwan is not a simple meal but a ceremony. Hours of cooking and days of planning go into the making and serving of a Wazwan. The Waza personally supervises each dish that is prepared by his team of cooks. Even the ingredients for the dishes are selected carefully by him. Thus every effort is made to ensure that each dish in this sumptuous cuisine is the best.

Over a hundred to five hundred people are usually invited, on the occasion of weddings or special occasions, when Wazwan is served. This exclusive dinner is served in large halls, or in decorated, well illuminated Canopies. The guests are seated on carpeted floors covered with White Sheets. Instead of waiters, Cooks, friends and family members serve the food to the guests to impart a personal touch. Big metallic plates known as Tramis are used for eating. There are table settings for groups of four on the floor where special dish after dish is served, each fragrant with herbs.  First the Tashtnari or portable wash basin is passed around, and diners wash their hands with warm water poured from a small Samovar. Then choicest non-vegetarian delicacies such as Rista, Tabakmaaz, Rogan josh and a variety of Kebabs and vegetable preparations are served. The dishes are served individually, one after another in a course-wise style so that different preparations are not mixed up and the diners enjoy and relish the taste and flavor of each dish separately at a time. The meal concludes with the Goshtaba, a very exclusive and the most awaited meat dish. Phirni for dessert and a cup of Kahwa, the green tea flavored with saffron, cardamom and almonds is served at the end. Wazwan is a meal that is an experience in Kashmiri hospitality.                                                        

 

Tea

 

For Kashmiris, anytime is a tea time as they are extremely fond of tea. The high altitude and cold climate makes them feel lethargic and tea actually rejuvenates them. Besides, Kashmiris are renowned for their hospitality and they never allow any guest to leave without a cup of tea accompanied by bakery products.  

Nun Chai or salty tea: Nun-Chai is made out of green tea which is boiled for a long time. It has salt instead of sugar and milk. It is beneficial to drink salty tea especially during cold season.

 

Kahwa: It is a very delicious drink. Kahwa is made with cardamom, cinnamon, almonds, saffron, sugar and a bit of green tea. It is revitalizing drink and provides warmth to the body.

 

Samovar

 

Samovars are more like flasks or thermos, the only difference being that tea is not just stored but also prepared in them. Kashmiris usually make tea in the Samovar and every home in Kashmir has one or two Samovars. Inside a Samovar there is a fire-container in which live coals are placed. Around the fire-container there is a space for water to boil. Tea leaves, sugar, and milk are put in this simmering water. Tea remains hot for a very long time in a Samovar and it is a real pleasure to drink sizzling cup of tea poured from a Samovar in wintry evenings. Samovars are made of copper or brass. There are Samovars which are so small that only one or two cups of tea can be made while others are so large that hundreds of cups of tea can be made in them and these are useful during weddings or other functions where there is a large gathering of people.

 

Kangri

 

It is often seen that the culture and lifestyle of the people are influenced by climatic conditions of the region. Since winters in Kashmir are severe, Kashmiris invented an innovative brazier locally known as Kangri, to keep them warm in freezing winters. Kangri is a mobile stove, an inexpensive, individualized heating system, which one can use while moving around, sitting at home or even take it to bed. It is normally kept inside the Kashmiri cloak- the pheran, or inside a blanket. It is also used as a hand-warmer.

A Kashmiri is so devoted to his Kangri in winters that he always keeps it close to him as his constant companion. He lovingly calls Kangri as his winter wife.

It consists of two parts. Inner part is the earthen-ware pot, called the Kondul. It is filled with fuel, ignited at the top with a little fire. The burning takes place slowly from top to bottom. To increase the heat emission, a little stirring is done with a silver, iron or wooden spoon called Tsalan attached to the Kangri. The external encasement of wicker-work may be plain or very pretty with ornamentation of rings and vivid coloring.

Kangri has been in use since ancient times as earliest references are found in Kalhana's Rajatarangini. Kangri name has been derived from Sanskrit, Kasthangarika. “Kasth” means wood and “Angarika” means fire embers.

 

Dress

 

The traditional Kashmiri Dress is a "Pheran". This garment is a blend of a coat and a cloak. No Kashmiri can think of life without a Pheran during winter. Pheran serves like an overcoat to protect from the cold weather and is loose enough to admit the brazier of live coals “Kangri” which is carried around under the pheran to give warmth to the body. Pherans worn by men are simple, made of tweed or coarse wool while women wear attractive colorful pherans with embroidery at the throat, cuffs and edges.

The urban Kashmiris men have adopted the western attire of jeans and T shirt for casual wear and suits for formal wear. On special occasions and for Friday prayers, they dress up in Salwar- kameez or khan dress (of Persian origin) with a short vest called Sadri and a skull cap. Women wear beautifully embroidered or printed Salwar kameez tailored to suit their feminine forms with dupatta covering their heads. Some even use scarf or hijaab to cover their head while others use naqaab to cover their face. Kashmiri women are very fond of gold and silver ornaments like stylish ear-rings, bangles, rings, necklaces, etc.

 

Music:

 

Kashmir is so beautiful that every sight is an inspiration for poetry. Every sound of nature is a melody in itself, the chirping of birds, the symphony of merrily flowing streams and rivers, resonance of waterfalls, sweet whispering of breeze, oars of boatmen splashing water creating a tune, rhythm of raindrops and hail falling in lakes and land. In such an ambiance it is but natural that people turn into musicians and singers.

Music, like other arts, flourished in ancient Kashmir, under the benefaction of kings. Kashmiri Music has the peculiar and mesmerizing pattern of its ragas. There is hardly any solo music, as it is mostly sung in chorus.

  

Sufiyana Music

Sufiyana music came to Kashmir from Iran in the 15th century. Over the years it has achieved recognition as a classical form of music of Kashmir. Many Ragas of Indian classical music have been integrated into it. The lyrics are either in Kashmiri or Persian containing poetry which is romantic or mystic. It is sung in chorus in harmony with musical instruments like santoor, sitar, saaz, tabla, etc.

 

Bhand Pather

 

Bhand Pather is a traditional folk theatre style which is a combination of play and dance.  Depicting social traditions and evils, in a satirical style, it is performed in various social and cultural functions. A group of 10 to 15 artists perform Bhand Jashan in their traditional style accompanied by light music for the entertainment of people.

 

Chhakri

It is most popular form of Kashmiri folk music among Kashmiri people. It is based on the poetry of popular poets and poetry of mystic saints like Lal Ded.

     

Rouf

 

It is an ancient form of group dance performed by women facing each other. They gracefully move their feet to the rhythm of the song. It is performed on weddings and festive occasions especially on Eid.

 

Wanawun

 

Wanawun are traditional marriage songs sung on the occasion of Mehnz raat (the night before wedding when the ceremony of applying henna takes place) and on the wedding day. The songs describe the events right from marriage and departure of bride from her parental home to the birth of a child and subsequent ceremonies. 

                                                  

Musical Instruments

 

The musical instruments which are popular in Kashmir are Santoor, Rabab, Sitar, Garaha, Kashmiri Saaz, Wasool, tumbakhnari or clay pots, etc.