This refers to the preservation of Kashmiri culture which encompasses all aspects of Kashmiri society including values, traditions and rituals etc. It has been a burning issue in literary circles for almost a decade now. But little has been done so far. Preservation of culture does not mean to introduce Kashmiri as a subject in school curriculum. Most often preservation of Kashmiri language is confused with the preservation of Kashmiri culture. However language is an important factor towards the preservation of culture and is part and parcel of the same system. Language is refreshed by a culture; it takes its roots from the culture. The world has moved far ahead with the changing needs of mankind. Society is changing fast; perspectives are changing with the change in taste and interests. The modernity poses an imminent threat to fading Kashmiri  culture cum language alike, but for this blame is to be on Kashmiri people in general and Kashmiri writers in particular. If we want to preserve the Kasmiri culture two things are needed. First we need to change our approach towards our mother tongue, we have to make it flexible to meet the demands of changing times. Secondly, we have to recognise the importance of our culture as a group. Preservation of culture is dead impossible without taking it to the global stage. English can serve as a link language for identification of this language outside Kashmir valley and India . Kashmiri literature is to be translated into English for giving the Kashmiri culture a world wide recognition because world’s best literature is available in English whether in English itself or in translated form. One of the eminent professors in the Kashmir University ’s Department of English Prof. Muhammad Aslam once told while delivering lecture on language that if we want to preserve Kashmiri culture, English is the last option for it is spoken and read all over the world. He is very optimistic about such change. Recently Kashmiri a number of short stories have been translated into English. However, mere translation won’t do, there should be proper procedure in order to maintain the essence of this fading dialect (Kashmiri). I think Department of English KU is making sincere efforts to preserve our culture’s uniqueness by introducing the translated versions of Kashmiri dramas, poetry in the syllabi at an intermediate and under graduate level. Hope  steps are taken in the right direction.

(Wasim Parvez is from the Department Of English, University of Kashmir)

Lastupdate on : Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST