Tejinder sodhi
The valley of Kashmir, a multicultural society, ruled by many foreign rulers has been the center of confluence of cultural and heritage of the valley has been in a constant state of flux. Being hub of cultural and social activity in the past it has been called the ‘seat of learning of the east’. So, not only due to its geographic location but also due to its rich cultural heritage and a glorious past, Kashmir is known as the ‘crown of India’. Though surrounded by lofty mountains, Kashmir did not have much contact with the outside world. But its rich cultural heritage attracted the attention of great kings, historians and philosophers and ‘compelled’ them to pen down their accounts of visit, which later on formed the rich and authentic historical record/ source of historical information.
Kashmir has a written history of more than three thousand years, which is in the poetic form depicting the particular mood of the ancient civilization of this heavenly place on the earth, however, poetry and other form of literature have never been able to open the pages of history as much as folk tales have. They have unfolded all aspects of life to a reader or a listener. Besides, they have tremendously affected the minds of a common kashmiri. Folk tales have been a potent source of perseverance of Kashmir ethos and milieu. They depict our cultural heritage in a very lucid manner.
Since folklore is embedded in tradition, it undergoes transformations with the passage of time by adopting new trends. The folklore as it exists today is not essentially the same, as it appeared a couple of centuries ago. It is, however, deep rooted in the culture of the people. Kashmiri folklore or oral tradition for its beauty, richness and diversity has received attention of scholars in several fields of learning such as linguistics, anthropology, history and so on.
Folk tales in Kashmir being very popular are loved and liked by the people over centuries. They have indeed, played a great role in depicting our socio-cultural and traditional life. Folk tales vary- some are funny, some reasonable and some have historical significance. They even have a purpose or message to convey.
Folk literature, which forms as one of the strongest and the richest medium of collective social expressions, bears the imprint of human activities. Because of this fact, it can be rightly treated as primary and reliable historical source. Folk literature has always been representative of the cultural ethos of a nation throughout the world.
Study of folk literature increases our power of psychological insight. Since literature portrays human being in action, it, therefore, represents the truth of the moment with an artistic touch of imagination. Folk literature in a way provides a direct and deep insight of the ancient period. The folklore, which, is recognized as an essential element of oral history, provides a kind of direct access to the essence of past experience.
One of the significant forms of Kashmiri folk, songs, ladishah, contains information about yearning, aspiration, beliefs, customs and even superstitions practiced by the common folk. Different banda pathers (folk dramas) are suggestive of the tyrannies of the Sikh and the Dogra rulers and their administrative subordinates. Rof and waniwun (songs associated with festivity and marriages) form a commentary on the different aspects of women in her social life. Even the most horrifying memories connected with the most inhuman practice of beggar are pathetically recorded. Folk literature narrates the deep felt expressions rooted in the ethos of kashmiri society. Different genres of Kashmiri folk literature viz, proverbs, sayings, riddles, songs, tales etc contain volumes of information about the past of Kashmir. Folk literature plays a valuable and indispensable role in depicting the history of Kashmir.
Folk lorists bring into focus popular religious shades, food habits, modes of dress; means of amusement, recreation etc and thereby derive a picture of the complexities of socio-cultural style of a region and its people.
Folk tales have a significant part to play in the cultural development of nation. They are the representatives of our rich cultural heritage. As such, they need to be preserved so that they do not complete die out. At present the Kashmiris have, indeed, undergone a change in their living standards and styles, as do their counterparts. But, their folk literature needs to be preserved and valued so as to keep their folk form alive and afresh. Though changes may peep in those folk forms too, with the passage of time but they need to be carried on so that they do not fall prey to the ravages of Time. Today due to the presence of various forms of entertainment have not replaced them. Instead they can be used as best media to explore the same. Thus, providing ‘life’ to such ‘antique instruments’ of rich culture. These folk forms, which are the storehouse of ancient cultural history, seem more close to life than providing mere entertainment. They provide with such lessons and useful knowledge that no book in the world can replace. They have their own utility and significance and cannot be neglected. They have their own place and importance. Logic lies in not replacing or rejecting them. But, they should be intelligently and conveniently introduced and carried along with other regular activities in our daily life.
It is really unfortunate that a good deal or research has been done with regard to the political and administrative aspects of Kashmir history, very little efforts has so far been made to study the culture, tradition and the social life of the common people. The study of folklore as a source of information has been neglected with otherwise should have provided a useful index to the life style of the people. The folk literature preserved in different genres reflects the development of human mind during the different periods of historical times. The importance of folk literature as a source for studying the history of kashmiri society can never be minimized or for that matter ignored.
They form a unique part of our history, in general and culture, in particular. As such they should be given just and fair treatment and should not be treated as mere trash and illogical or irrelevant part that needs no serious consideration on our part or should not be taken as having no relevance with the contemporary situation. Instead it forms an inseparable part of our society. Keeping in view these facts, it won’t be wrong to say that folklore, folk literature or for that matter any other folk form is the best representation of our society, it has unique characteristics, which symbolizes our past, ought to be valued and preserved. Providing a platform for them to grow and prosper so that they do not die, decay or vanish can do this. Moreover, slight modifications in various folk forms can not only help them to keep pace with the changing time, but can also help our rich culture to survive. It can also provide an opportunity to modify the same, discover a new chapter of historical significance and can also help the researchers to explore the vast field which because of one or other reason has not been explored to its best. Such traditional forms possess volume of knowledge within their ambit. Once properly and genuinely analyzed, it can provide volumes for reader to read, understand, think and above all feed their vocabulary and have a broad understanding of their glorious past which unfortunately has failed to find its due and desired place