Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Jammu-Kashmir: A cultural profusion

“WE are all different, which is great because we are all unique. Without diversity, life would be very boring,” author Catherine Pulsifer once said, and it couldn’t be more right for Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir have their own distinct culture that are very different from each other.


Kashmir has a rich music tradition, with dances and orchestras of instruments such as the saz, santoor, rabab, sitar, table and garaha. These same instruments are used in Jammu in the Hindu folk dances and ballads.

But one thing that’s common to people of both these regions is the tolerance they have for one another. Jammu and Kashmir is an amalgamation of different cultures.

Besides being famous for its scenic beauty, Jammu and Kashmir is also known for its food, exquisite artforms and crafts that are specific to the state. All this make the culture of the region quite different from rest of the Indian subcontinent.

With a population of more than 12.5 million people, Jammu and Kashmir has people belonging to multiple ethnic groups such as the Dogras, Gujjars and Hanjis, besides Kashmiris.

The term Kashmiri is used to refer to all people of Kashmir living within the valley, Neelam Valley, Leepa Valley, Kishtwar, Bhadarwah, and Doda and Ramban tehsils of Jammu division.

Most of the Kashmiris are either involved in agriculture or businesses such as carpet-making, papier mache, wood carving, embroidery, tourism, hotel management and other handicrafts.

The Hanjis are the water dwellers and are confined to Jhelum River, Dal, Anchar, and Wular lakes situated especially between Chattabal, Srinagar and Khanabal, Anantnag. They are widely engaged in the houseboat industry.

The Dogra belongs to the Jammu division of the state and traditionally inhabited the areas between Shivalik mountain range, Saroiensar and Mannsar lakes. They later shifted to the entire Jammu region.

The Gujjars and Bakarwals are nomads, and they form a significant part of the population of the state. Their livelihood depends upon cattle-keeping.

Languages spoken in the valley further highlight the diversities prevalent in the different provinces of the state.

Kashmiri, which is an Indo-Aryan language, is also known as Koshur. People living in Kashmir Valley speak Kashmiri. People living in Ladakh speak Ladakhi, whereas people in Jammu mostly speak the Dogri language.

The arts and crafts of Jammu and Kashmir are a source of pride for its residents. Handwoven silk carpets and rugs, fine-quality Pashimina shawls and khatam-band, a kind of woodwork that is used to decorate ceilings of rooms, are unique to the region.

Every culture makes music and those created in the Jammu and Kashmir region have a charm of their own. There are three distinct forms, such as Sufi, ghazals and choral music that are popular in Jammu and Kashmir. Wanawun is another popular form of music that is sung and played during wedding ceremonies in Kashmir. Chakri and Punjabi mahiya, too, echo in the mountains.

As for dance, each ethnic group has their own dance forms. Elaborating on Gojri naach, a dance form favoured by the Gujjars, Mujahid-ul- Islam writes in Lokchaar: “Gojri naach is very illustrious to the Gujjar culture. It is generally performed during marriage ceremonies. It is a natural form of dance and delightful too. Male dancers dance in their customary costumes forming a line with sticks in their hands. Women dance on the other side adjusting the pattern on the rhythm of drum. Gojri naach is always performed together with a folk song.”

The Dumhal is a famous dance in the Kashmir Valley, performed by men of the Watal caste. The women perform the Roaff, another traditional folk dance.

Marriage ceremonies are marked by the Hafiza dance, while young Kashmiri boys celebrate the harvest season with the Bacha Nagma dance.

Among the musical instruments, rabab is one of the oldest and most integral part of Kashmiri music. It originated from central Afghanistan and was adapted into Kashmiri music centuries ago. It is believed that Kashmiri folk music is incomplete without the rabab.

“Rabab is that music or the tune which collects all tunes from instruments and creates its own music. That is why rabab should be played at every party,” Sonaullah Reshi, Kashmiri folk singer, once said.

Literature is yet another important aspect that provides an insight into history of different cultures. In this regard, authors Kalhana is well remembered for his historical works that threw a flood of light not only on the history of Kashmir but also on the history of India. Kavi Bilhana is yet another important literary figure from Kashmir.

The clothing worn by the men and women of Jammu and Kashmir are also very different from the rest of the Indian subcontinent.

Traditional clothing for Kashmiri men is usually pants called churidar or looser pants called salwar. Over this, a loose woollen tunic called a pheran is worn. It is loose so that in winter people can put under it a thick padded bag of hot coals to keep warm.

Headdress is often a turban, karakuli cap or skull cap. Pashmina belts are also common. Coats are fleece or wool. Kashmiri women wear heavily embroidered pheran tunics. Some Muslim women wear longer tunics with narrow sleeves.

Hindu women wear a headdress called taranga, which is a wide scarf attached to a cap. There are other headdresses also, depending on whether or not the woman is married, and more decorated headdresses for festivals or weddings. Variations of these garments are worn by some of the smaller ethnic groups of the region.

More For You

Apollo-BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said the new contract with Apollo Tyres runs until March 2028. (Photo: BCCI)

Apollo Tyres replaces Dream11 as Team India’s lead sponsor until 2028

INDIAN cricket has signed Apollo Tyres as its new lead sponsor after fantasy sports platform Dream11 ended its contract following a government ban on online gambling.

The men's team travelled to the United Arab Emirates for the ongoing Asia Cup without a sponsor on their shirts after Dream11 exited the deal, which was worth about $44 million and was set to run until 2026.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sydney Sweeney

Filming is tentatively planned for early 2026

Getty Images

Sydney Sweeney offered £45m to star in big-budget Bollywood film

Highlights:

  • Sydney Sweeney reportedly offered £45m for a leading role in a major Bollywood film
  • The package includes £35m in fees and £10M in sponsorship deals
  • Filming is tentatively planned for early 2026 across New York, Paris, London, and Dubai
  • The project could make Sweeney one of the highest-paid Hollywood stars to join Indian cinema

A record-breaking offer

Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney has reportedly been approached with a staggering £45M deal to star in one of the most expensive Bollywood films ever produced.

The 28-year-old Euphoria and The White Lotus star is said to have been offered £35m in fees plus an additional £10m through sponsorship agreements.

Keep ReadingShow less
Toshi.bet: Revolutionizing Crypto Gaming with High Rewards and Innovative Gameplay

Toshi.bet: Revolutionizing Crypto Gaming with High Rewards and Innovative Gameplay

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving world of crypto casinos, one platform is standing out for its innovative gameplay, unmatched rewards, and community-driven growth — Toshi.bet. Recognized by CoinMarketCap as a pioneer in crypto gaming, Toshi.bet is transforming how players interact with digital assets while gaming.

Why Toshi.bet Is Leading the Crypto Casino Industry

1. Best Rewards in Crypto Gaming

Keep ReadingShow less
China Nvidia chip ban

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has said he is “disappointed” following reports

iStock

China reportedly bans Nvidia chip sales as CEO expresses disappointment

Highlights:

  • China’s Cyberspace Administration has reportedly ordered tech firms to stop using Nvidia’s AI chips
  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says he is “disappointed” but will remain “patient”
  • Huang is visiting the UK alongside other tech leaders during Donald Trump’s state visit
  • Nvidia became the world’s first $4tn company earlier in 2025 amid the AI boom

Huang responds to reported China directive

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has said he is “disappointed” following reports that China has told its leading technology firms to halt purchases of the company’s artificial intelligence chips.

Speaking to reporters in the UK, Huang added that he would remain “patient” in light of the reported order from China’s internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration. “There are a lot of places we can’t go to, and that’s fine,” he said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tagenarine Chanderpaul,

Tagenarine Chanderpaul. (Photo by PAT HOELSCHER/AFP via Getty Images)

Chanderpaul, Athanaze return as West Indies name squad for India tour

BATSMEN Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze were recalled to the West Indies ranks when they were named in the squad to tour India on Tuesday (16) while left-arm spinner Khary Pierre is included for the first time.

The two-Test series, with matches in Ahmedabad and Delhi, marks the West Indies' first tour to India since 2018 and forms part of the World Test Championship.

Keep ReadingShow less