Traditional Daan Disappearing from Kashmiri Milliue

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In good old days the Kashmiri society was familiar and accustomed to traditional fire stove called in Kashmiri parlance as Daan.It was then found in every kashmiri household and the womenfolk generally used to cooking on the dan and Kashmiris' were familiar with the Daan. Firstly Daan was used to cook variety of foods and cuisines and it also was used for the purpose of warmth and thus the secondary use of the Daan was providing heat during the severe and harsh winters.In Kashmiri households members of the household and especially the children used to assemble near Dan and enjoyed sipping nun chai and it was an everyday experience. But with the advancement in science and technology new and ever new tools for cooking food were invented and Kashmiri's like other people of other parts of India used stove, and then gas stove to cook food and with the advent of moder means of cooking ,the traditional Daan has almost disappeared from Kashmiri society and milieu and it is a matter of ...
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Gangul in Farming & Rural Kashmir

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           " Yus Kari Gangul suy Kari Kraav"

https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2026/08/gangul-in-farming-rural-kashmir.html


By Gangul is meant traditional /conventional Kashmiri agricultural practice as well as celebration that is the beginning of cropping season. It symbolizes hope, expectation and commencement of sowing and is associated with agricultural farming. It is somewhat disappearing from the rural farming practices but efforts are a foot to revive this traditional agriculture practice. In the context of rural farming Gangul can be put forth as it signifies start of the sowing season. Traditionally it marks the start of the farming season, when farmers begin tilling the land and sowing seeds. It symbolises and reflects hope forb a bountiful harvest and community unity and respect for the rhythms of nature. A ritual connected with gangul is the distribution of walnuts to children which signifies abundance and prosperity. The essence of Gangul is totally reflected in the couplet of Hazrat Alamdar-e-Kashmir "Yus Kari Gangul, Suy Kari Kraav’’ roughly translated as ‘One who sows (Gangul) shall reap'. The Gangul is being revived and in this direction the initiative and efforts of SKUAST Kashmir are praiseworthy and the university has adopted the name "Gangul’’ for its annual flagship Agri Tech KISAN mela in order to reconnect farming with local heritage and culture. Gangul - 2026 is the 11th edition being held from 14 to 16 Feb showcasing modern farming and blended it with the cultural roots. Rural Kashmir depends on livelihood on agriculture as it is deeply associated with farming activities.

The modern life is fast paced and as such Gangul faced decline and is fading away leading to disconnect with the agriculture practices and it is a growing concern and hence there are initiatives afoot to revive gangul. The modern focus is on integrating agriculture with the traditional wisdom for better profitability and revenue. Gangul was a tradition that thrived but today it faces decline as it is fading away. Gangul is a tradition of celebrating new beginning and the promise of a bountiful harvest. But with each passing day it is almost disappearing and the farmers are also taking and shifting to other avocations. Kashmir has a breathtaking natural beauty and having deep cultural roots. Among the customs, traditions and rituals which are celebrated, gangul stand tall and symbolises hope, renewal, energy and positivity and adorn the agriculture and rural life. Gangul was once a vibrant celebration signifying the start of spring and promise of a new year, gangul showcasing the essence of community life and togetherness and common joy. With the coming of the spring and goodbye to the frosty winter, villagers would assemble and their hearts brim with the anticipation and gratitude. Gangul marked the start of the agriculture season in the past, the farmers tilling the soil and sowing seeds of hope and expectation.

Gangul was a day off unity, community life and shared values and joys celebration. But gangul has become a relic of the past as its importance fading with the passing of each day. In the made rush of modernity,the tradition that once adorned the rural agricultural life and the unity which once echoed in rural Kashmir had been forgotten and it leaves behind a void denoting whispers of a lost culture and heritage. But still, there are farmers who do not let the gangul slip away into oblivion.In rural Kashmir, villagers still gather to celebrate this age-old tradition and practice, thus keeping its spirit alive for the future generations. But the rural children grew up unaware of their cultural moorings and it is very sad development indeed. Our children should be connected with their roots and culture. Still there is hope as some villagers continued to honour and revere gangul and so there is a glimmer of hope. We should preserve our culture and traditions and customs in the changing world and in this lies our good and we and our children should be connected with their roots and culture. So traditions like Gangul should be preserved and passed on to the future generations.

The million dollar question is as the modernity reshapes Kashmir’s traditions, Gangul stands at crossroads and will it continue or will it be lost in oblivion? Will rural Kashmir and farmers embrace it or will gangul fade away completely. But in every dark cloud,there is silver lining and so with all certainty it can be said that despite gangul being reduced to nineties, there is hope that it will survive the modernity and its onslaught. So the question remains to haunt people, and that is,will the future generations embrace its cultural heritage and legacy? Among the various cherished customs, that have greatly shaped the rural and agricultural life of Kashmir, the tradition of Gangul holds a special importance and place, symbolising the themes of hope,renewal and community and positivity. Gangul was a heartfelt expression and experience of unity, togetherness and shared joy. We are fortunate that the tradition of Gangun continues even today despite modernity and change. 

(O.N Koul, Retired Education officer) 


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