On a quiet summer afternoon in 2020, a calendar at a mosque in Indian-administered Kashmir caught Muneer Ahmad Dar's attention, featuring a poem written in Kashmiri. To his surprise, he struggled to read it, highlighting a growing disconnect with his mother tongue.
Motivated to take action, Dar launched a social media page named 'Muneer Speaks' to preserve and promote Kashmiri culture. Five years later, his profile boasts over 500 million impressions across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, showcasing stories, folklore, and heritage.
Dar is emblematic of a broader movement among Kashmiri youth who are creatively documenting and sharing their culture amidst a backdrop of historical strife. Many young people have left Kashmir in search of opportunities, but the current generation is shifting the narrative from conflict to celebration.
Their efforts include curating content that spans traditional crafts, food, and architectural heritages, illustrated beautifully by projects like 'Museum of Kashmir', created by journalist Muhammad Faysal, which archives lesser-known traditions and artifacts.
Beyond serious documentation, young creators like Seerat Hafiz employ humor and satire in their storytelling, utilizing social commentary to connect with younger audiences while keeping cultural narratives alive.
Despite these accomplishments, challenges remain; platforms often misrecognize or completely overlook the Kashmiri language, placing hurdles in the path of increased visibility. Yet, initiatives like the campaign to add Kashmiri to Google Translate reflect the commitment of these young advocates to fight for their cultural identity.
Through digital storytelling, this new wave of Kashmiri creators is combatting erasure and ensuring that their rich heritage is not only preserved but thrives in the modern age.
