Bringing the cultural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir to London
The Irish poet, Thomas Moore, in an ode to Jammu and Kashmir once said:
“Who has not heard of the Vale of Cashmere,
With its roses the brightest that earth ever gave,
Its temples, and grottos, and fountains as clear
As the love-lighted eyes that hung over their wave?
When the east is as warm as the light of first hopes,
And Day, with his banner of radiance unfurled,
Shines in through the mountainous portal that opes,
Sublime, from that valley of bliss to the world!”
But what bliss are we talking about? We live in a day and age with lots of stereotypical images of the state. Media houses world over paint pictures of its current state – however, is it really a true depiction?
Opening the doors to the unknown aspects of the state and truly representing its rich cultural heritage, the Jammu Kashmir Festival aims to restore the state’s position as India’s true crowning glory.
When it comes to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, the spirit of the state is embodied by its cultural diversity, its rich history and heritage and its handicrafts and performing arts. However, these aspects are very rarely discussed. The Jammu and Kashmir Festival aims to do just that – dispel the myths surrounding the state and promote its cultural diversity. From the seven various dances that span across the region to the folk songs, which imbibe the spirit of the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim communities; the handicrafts which showcase the artistic fervour of the state to the making of the iconic Pashmina shawl; the beautiful scenery which has been an inspiration to many writers and filmmakers to the fascinating flora and fauna of the state – the festival promises to showcase those unknown facets to life.
Manish Tiwari, Managing Director of Here and Now 365 and Director of the Jammu Kashmir Festival said: “The state of Jammu and Kashmir has been at the centre of cultural diversity. It has been the backdrop of various Bollywood movies due to its sheer beauty and rich heritage. It is a melange of cultures blending Shaivism, Sufism and various other cultures and religions together. Despite this not much is known about the state. Through the festival we want to break the myths surrounding the state and revisit it as the crowning glory of India filled with cultural diversity.”
Jammu Kashmir Festival Programme
Dogra Martial Arts showcase by National Army Museum
Venue: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 4A Castletown Road, London, W14 9HE
Date & Time: October 22nd, 11am – 3pm
The National Army Museum will be presenting the Dogra Martial Arts tradition showcase from 11 am to 12:30 pm post which revellers can get a true taste of the region at the Food Festival. From 1.30pm onwards you can delve into a bit of history with Professor Andrew Kerr, a senior historian and the author of “I Can Never Say Enough About the Men – A History of Jammu and Kashmir Throughout their World War One East India Campaign” highlighting the contribution of the state during World War I.
Folk Dances of Jammu and Kashmir
Venue: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 4A Castletown Road, London, W14 9HE
Date & Time: October 23rd, 11am – 3pm
Natrang Music and Dance repertory will present the programme ‘Celebrating Unity in Diversity’, a unique cultural album of Jammu and Kashmir showcasing the variety of different colours, rhythms, costumes, design patterns and artistic expressions through the folk dances of the region. The programme culminates through the presentation of a mega performance ‘Unity in diversity of J&K’, exclusively designed and composed to portray the harmony and the cultural co-existence of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
For more information on the festival visit: www.jammukashmirfestival.org
Here and Now 365 has always prided itself for promoting multiculturalism and celebrating the ethnic diversity of the UK.