Is this Kashmiriat?

                                                            Is this Kashmiriat?

The recent controversy about banning the all girls music band has brought us into center of the another discussion about secularism and “Kashmiriat” once again.

Kashmir has a unique and distinct cultural heritage which is multifaceted, multicolored and vibrant like its demography. For centuries Kashmir has had a history of invasions by outside forces to subjugate people by perpetual use of force and apart from persecution and plunder, the worst hit could have been the culture of this paradise on earth. But, the valley has embraced one and all with large heart and open arms adopting their art, customs and music, merging them into their own to form a unique blend very different from rest of the world. This liberalized culture and attitude has not only made the people of this paradise truly secular and tolerant but also brought prosperity to them in terms of art and handicrafts as well as business acumen in terms of dealing with the rest of the world.

Islam has been the religion of majority since 13^th century in Kashmir and Women of Kashmir has always been in the forefront contributing in sustaining the art and culture of the region. The use of the Kashmiri language began with the poet Lalleshvari or Lal Ded (14th century), who wrote mystical verses. Other major names are Rupa Bhavani (1621-1721), Habba Khatun 16^th century singer and poetess, Arnimal, Manju Kak, Meeraji, Nayantara Sehgal and famous ghazal singer Malika Pukhraj, who have contributed to the rich heritage and ever growing culture of Kashmir.During 1950s, Hanifa begum, Taj Begum and Shamla Mufti have contributed to the legacy. Another name worth mentioning here is of Atiqua Bano who is not only a short story writer but also a cultural activist of Sopore. She has been very active during the turbulent times of 1990s and tried to keep the literary interest of Kashmir alive. Fiza Khatoon is also a woman Sufi poet . The younger generation of Kashmiri women writers is represented by Rafiqa Bashir, Muneera Fatima, Rakshanda Rashid, Razia Shabnam, Shamima Tabassum, Darakshan Andrabi, Saba Shaheen, Shagufta Nasreen and Sadaf Ghazala. These are the names who have contributed immensely to this society and have earned name and fame for themselves and for their community.

In the state of Jammu and Kashmir dance and music has very old roots and has found mention in many ancient historical books including the Rajtarangini written in 12th century AD by a prince named Kalhan. Most of the traditional music of the state is believed to be influenced from the Central Asia and most of the musical instruments have been adopted from there only. Some main forms of the traditional music of Kashmir, along with some Kashmiri folk dance are : 

Chakri

Performed with the help of Garaha, Sarangi and Rabab and harmonium.

Sufiana Music

This classical music form of Kashmir makes the use of Santoor, Sitar, Kashmiri Saz, Wasool or Tabla.
 
Hafiz Nagma
A part of the classical Sufiana Music, Hafiz Nagma makes use of Santoor-a hundred stringed instrument played with sticks. In Hafiz Nagma, there is a female dancer, accompanied by a number of males with instruments. The dancer, known as Hafiza, moves her feet to the musical notes.


Rouuff is a traditional dance form performed by women on certain important occasions where men and women both participate.



So why this tradition is being changed now and there is a ban on these girls? There are so many actors and singers of Kashmiri origin who are doing so well in the field of art and films.
Every religion propagates humanity and compassion and so does Islam. It is the interpretation in the right sense that brings harmony and progress to it's people. It is said that Islam prohibits music and some believe that Music is prohibited/sinful in Islam. According to Islam: Music that leads to sinful acts such as drugs, sex, violence, etc... is absolutely sinful in Islam. But otherwise, how would it be sinful when Allah Almighty Himself allowed it to Prophet David peace be upon him?

Narrated Abu Musa: "That the Prophet said to him 'O Abu Musa! You have been given one of the musical wind-instruments of the family of David.' (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Virtues of the Qur'an, Volume 6, Book 61, Number 568)"

Let us look at Noble Verse 4:163 "We have sent thee inspiration, as We sent it to Noah and the Messengers after him: we sent inspiration to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms."

Let us look at Noble Verse 17:55 "And it is your Lord that knoweth best all beings that are in the heavens and on earth: We did bestow on some prophets more (and other) gifts than on others: and We gave to David (the gift of) the Psalms."

In the above Saying (Hadith) and Noble Verses, we clearly see that Allah Almighty did send the Book of Psalm to Prophet David peace be upon him. We also see that Allah Almighty called that Book a gift. If Allah Almighty allowed David peace be upon him and his followers to sing and play music, then how could we then claim that music is sinful and prohibited?

Moreover there are hundreds of Muslim male and female actors who perform and entertain millions of people around the world. Our own Bollywood is ruled by the Three Khans Amir, Salman and Shahrukh who are style icons and youth idols for the new generation cutting across all religions. Are they also Kafirs? The best of our actresses since the beginning of cinema era have been all Muslim girls Noorjhan, Suraiya, Nargis, Meena Kumari, Madhubala and Katrina Kaif recently have earned name and fame by acting, singing and dancing only, which is their profession. Why there is no restrictions on them?

These days girls and boys are educated and understand their responsibilities toward their parents, religion and society. Elders should be there to show them the right path and guide them through difficult phases of life with a confidence that they will not betray their faith. Times are changing very fast we cannot stop the influx of cultural invasion from the skies, but, we can make our next generation learn to differentiate between right and wrong by guiding them with love and care and not by criticism and restrictions. Faith breeds respect and restrictions breed contempt and rebellion.This culture has always survived by being dynamic and adapting to various invasions and will survive if we don't be rigid and go with the flow by exercising utmost care and control and keeping  “KASHMIRIYAT” alive.