|
Kargil's vibrant culture knew no guns
Little
is known about Kargil except that it was here that the fourth
war between India and Pakistan was fought. It is an irony
that this peaceful land of diverse ethnicities will always
revive the memories of the bitter war fought in the snowy
peaks of its mountain. Imtiyaz Bakshi
reflects on the cultural vibrancy of the region.
Kargil
has for centuries represented a rich bowl of composite tribal
culture and tradition enriched through multi-ethnicities like
Balti, Ladakhi, Purki, Dardi, Zanskari and Shina, all of whom,
as a rule, speak the Kargili language with perfect ease.
The
present Kargil district along with some parts of Baltistan
(in Pakistan) was called Purik in ancient times. Purik Sultan
of Karpokhar in Suru Valley is believed to have brought into
his domain surrounding villages of Zanskar, Pashkum and Sodh
and been instrumental in the development of the areas in respect
of their culture, economy and military might. However, accounts
of Ladakh and Baltistan as penned down by A.H. Frankey, Wazir
Hashmatullah Khan and Kacho Sikander Khan Sikander reveal
that Purik was divided into several little kingdoms who often
waged war against each other on petty issues. No king made
Kargil his capital and hence the name `Khar' and `rkil'
meaning "the kingdom in between''.
With
the passage of time, Kharkil came to be known as Kargil,
with Pashkum being the first of its villages to be inhabited.
Purik or Kargil remained under the cultural domain of Tibet
and its people adopted Buddhism. But with the advent of Islam
in Kargil during the 14th Century AD, Kargilis converted en
masse, most of them adopting the Shia version of Islam. Influencing
the Purik culture with that of Baltistan was Ali Sher Khan
Anchan of Skardoo, a contemporary of Emperor Akbar who invaded
several Purik kingdoms. Embodying the Purik-Balti mix is the
famous Palace of Chiktan, known as Chiktan Razi Khar, the
architect of which was specially invited from Baltistan.
Essentially
tribal in nature, Zanskar, Drass, Kargil, Wakha, Mulbakh,
Chiktan, Darchiks Garkone, Kushow and Kharboo represent the
district’s cultural facets. Exploiting the cultural richness
of these areas is the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture
and Languages as also the Department of Tourism, which organise
cultural programmes attracting hordes of tourists from within
the country and abroad. The culturally rich Drads of Drass
area are famous for their Shina and Dani Talwar dances, performed
amidst recitation of Shina songs. Several cultural clubs have
come up in Drass to keep the flame of their distinct cultural
identity burning.
The
young are especially thrilled with the composition of Balti
ghazals, sung by folk singers during festivals. Many Balti
poets have also come up in the area. Brokpa dance performed
in traditional attire is typical of Batalik area of Kargil
believed to be inhabited by descendants of Aryans.
It
is said that some soldiers of Alexander's army lost their
way in the Batalik and eventually settled there to give rise
to an indigenous Aryan race. Another dance form Neyopa, belonging
to the people of Wakha Mulbakh, is performed on village festivals
and marriage occasions and, as a rule, involves participation
of men only, dressed in Zebra skin costumes and a long black
headgear. While the Seethot dance is performed on Losar
(seven-day event) and marriage functions in Bodh Kharboo,
the Fokar dance is performed at Fokar Dzong, the hermitage
place of Padma Sambhava.
The
dance performance are accompanied by folk songs of love and
matrimony. Mendok Ltanmo, another dance form, is performed
in the praise of gods to thank them for ushering in summer
days, even as people of Shakar Chiktan block perform Royang
Lhu, a famous cultural activity of folklore singing. Zanskar
is famous for its Gompa Festival, organised in its various
gompas, like Stongdy, Stakrimo, Karsha, Zunghul, Sari and
Fuktal. Lama dance and display of thankas and murals
are feastures of this festival. Zanskar folk dances, called
"Alley Yato", are also performed.
Showcasing
this rich cultural heritage Kargil Tourist Festival was organised
for the first time in 1996, which besides the tourists drew
artistes from Drass, Kargil, Fokar, Wakha, Mulbakh, Bodh Kharboo
and Chiktan. The festival also featured Polo and archery contests,
the two traditional sports activities of the district that
once enjoyed royal patronage and formed part of social activities
of every Kargil village.
(Expressindia
welcomes suggestion and feedback from its readers on its endeavour
to reconstruct the fading charm of the Valley and to present
before them a slice of Kashmiri life beyond the booming guns.)
|
