Arnimal: Kashmir’s Forgotten Poetess of Resistance and Resilience

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Kashmir - the paradise on earth is famous for giving birth to many poets and poetesses from ancient time. One of the famous and inspiring poetess of 8th century was Arnimal. She did poetry on the tradition and style of the most famous and great poetess Habba Khatoon who is  household name in Kashmir. Arnimal was born in village Palhalan Pattan Kashmir near Srinagar. She was married at a very young age to one Munshi Bhawani Das Kachroo. Arnimal was born in 1737. She was known for her heartfelt and simple kashmiri poetry. Unfortunately her husband Munshi Bhawani Dass Kachroo abandoned her and left for the Afghan court in Kabul. All this misfortune pained and shocked Arnimal and she began to do poetry on the pangs of her separation from her husband. She expressed the pain of separation from her husband in her poetry. In her poetry, she in fact expressed longing and sorrow of her separation which she could not tolerate and started doing poetry. The base, content and subject matter of t...
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The Season of Autumn in Kashmir

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Harud: The Golden Season of Harvest and Beauty in Kashmir:-

This beautiful time coincides with the harvest and draws in many nature lovers. The people of Kashmir eagerly anticipate the arrival of this season, which is beyond words in its beauty. It is this captivating beauty that led former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to visit Kashmir in October 1984, seeking to witness the charm of Harud and the falling Chinar leaves. Harud is a delightful season that attracts visitors from near and far. It is a time for harvest, community gatherings, and preparing for the cold winter ahead. This season is a celebration of the fruits of the farmers' labor throughout the year.        

Apple Orchards and Paddy Fields: Prosperity Painted in Red and Gold 

During this period, farmers are engaged in cutting and carrying home their paddy crop. During Harud, the apple orchards have red apples all over, and the trees seem to sag under the weight of the fruit. Harud brings with it the hopes of sustenance through the incessant winter snow again, a sigh of relief and celebration for the farming class. This season is about preparing for winter; the Kashmiris gather the stores, foraged veggies, wood, and charcoal for their Kangris-those warming fire pots. Meanwhile, the apple growers are busy harvesting their fruit with the scene resembling a red carpet. The apple trees are laden with ripe juicy apples, and the ground below is covered with fallen fruit, creating a brilliant red cover across the earth beneath the orchards. Apple orchards come alive with the busiest days of autumn and take the joy of prosperity to every involved in apple farming and trade, where it became a kind of cash crop in many cases. To the people of Kashmir, trading in apples is a win-win business. This season of red against the background of golden glades and blue skies adds a sparkling touch of beauty to the already charming vale. Apple harvesting is much more than an economic activity-a festival of social gathering, people mutually coming in to harvest and bond as a community.                                                

Chinar Leaves, Tourism, and the Cultural Grandeur of Autumn:

Harud is the time to prepare for the harsh winter ahead, so food items like rice, wheat, as well as wood and charcoal are stored for use during the snowy months when the Kashmir valley showcases its unique charm and natural beauty.  The landscape turns a brilliant red due to the apples, creating a beautiful and pleasing sight. Harud holds great cultural and agricultural significance for the valley. The paddy harvest is one of the most remarkable features of the autumn season, reaching its peak during Harud. Throughout Kashmir, the fields turn golden as farmers diligently cut the paddy crop, reaping the rewards of their yearlong efforts. The pleasant sound of sickles slicing through the paddy fills the crisp air, marking the conclusion of months of hard work. The majestic Chinar trees add to the splendor of Kashmir, their leaves turning a deep crimson as they fall. These iconic trees transform the landscape into a tapestry of red and gold, creating a breathtaking view that captivates many tourists from near and far. This influx of visitors boosts the local economy, making the valley feel like a mini-India as people from various states and backgrounds come to enjoy the pleasant autumn breeze.

Harud as a Celebration of Life, Labor, and the Land

Besides the natural beauty that this season offers, Harud is the season for storing rice, food supplies, dried vegetables, firewood, and charcoal-to endure the bitter chill of winter ahead. Everything around you is ripe for being plucked in the afternoon sun. Harud invokes a sense of joy and festivity. It is not just the transition from summer into winter; rather, it stands for prosperity, labor, and a deep connection to the land in which one is born. The golden fields, profuse orchards, and famous Chinar trees create an attractive landscape of agricultural value.

The Kashmiri Pandits hold Harud in great reverence, with that day marking the beginning of the season as a significant feature of their customs. They celebrate by boiling some walnuts and rice and savoring this dish together. Harud, new rice has also been traditionally prepared and tastes joyous and superior. When it falls for the Kashmiri Pandits, this time is important, as ancestors must be revered. Devotional offerings of water, food, and flowers are made to ensure peace of the departing ones' souls, while blessings are sought for during a fortnight here called Pitru Paksha during that time of the year. The autumn also accommodates the Sharad Navratras when generally Kashmiri Pandits and Hindus celebrate the feminine power in worshiping the nine forms of Goddess Maa Shakti. Harud embodies the most striking beauty and abundance, when Kashmir immerses in splendor and golden glow.


(Vivek Koul) 

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