Confused as the โhouse of comradesโ where endless discussions on Marx and Lenin during the Cold War era would spread intellectual airs in Srinagar, a buzzing hangout lost its relevance and place thirty years ago. Even as the coffee-makers have multiplied since then, that classic coffee has stayed a sentimental sip for many. When a…
In Central Kashmirโs Budgam district, an elderly pandit is a treasured healer for commoners seeking โkoshur ilajโ for their burn injuries and chilblains. But beyond his โdast-e-shafaโ, the non-migrant pandit is a symbol of Kashmirโs syncretic past. In his poorly-lit room, Pandit Jagarnath Koul is examining the burn-scar on his patientโs hand very keenly. The…
As the valley grapples with medieval power cuts once again this early winter, many people have resumed old ways to ward off the bone-numbing cold. But the frequent darkness has only aggravated the already frozen turbulence in Kashmir. A downtowner doubling as street jester has a new trade tip for his Nowhatta tribe these days.…
As the Front man, he gave everything to the cause dismissed as โwildernessโ by a figurehead. And now when the same league is out for a new political bargain, the erstwhile supporter is seeing a clear dรฉjร vu. Sheikh Abdullahโs mid-seventy handshake with Indira Gandhi began backfiring when a secret police laid a net to…
A child, who witnessed a recent gun-battle, goes down the memory lane and describes his horrific memories. He speaks of the memories from the rubble, recalls the horrific incident that brought the nightmare and the feeling of homelessness in his life.
Even as autumn is gradually paving the way to winter in Kashmir, Wular Lake in Bandipora is witnessing persistent woman efforts for maintaining the seasonal chestnut supplies in Kashmir markets. The sun was shining and the azure blue sky had only wisps of clouds in it, as Fancy rowed her boat in the Wular Lake…
Amid the waning characters and characteristics of the heritage city of Srinagar, Ghulam Mohammad still retains a vintage promise. In the digital age, the seasonal photographer runs the legendary Mahatta Studio on Jhelum bund with an old school method. The veteran longs for the time when the art of developing photographs in dark rooms was…
Stephen Dobyns, writing in the New York Times Book Review, said, โno American poet writes better than Louise Glรผck, perhaps none can lead us so deeply into our nature.โย I cannot love what I canโt conceive, and you disclose virtually nothing… Part I Louise Glรผck is one of Americaโs most honoured contemporary poets. In 2020,…
Although they never fought on the frontlines, the forgotten women militia remains a standalone event in Kashmir history in which women took to streets and equipped themselves with arms, and trained themselves thereof. Seventy-three years ago, the tribesmen of North-Western Frontier of Pakistan marched into Kashmir, steadily journeying eastwards in the interest of โfreeing Kashmirโ…