Traditional Daan Disappearing from Kashmiri Milliue

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 concern and we can say that dan is lost in oblivion but it is not a good thing but shows that traditional Kashmiri culture of cooking food and cuisines is fast disappearing ,Today from north to south and east to west of Kashmir the traditional Daan is absent and the modern Kashmiri society is not conversant and familiar with traditional Daan nor are they knowing the art of framing Daan.

Daan was a part and parcel of Kashmir’s culture and without Daan Kashmiri society has become orphan and handicapped as they no longer have Daan in their houses and it is a matter of grave concern that Daan is fast disappearing from kashmiri society and its place has been taken by gas stove.In past our womenfolk took great pleasure in cooking food ,preparing nun chai called Sheer chai and many Kashmiri cuisines on Daan but at the same time using dan for cooking food emitted smoke and it led to breathing and respiratory ailments but today with the modern innovation when gas stove has taken the place of traditional dan there is no smoke but one thing is certain that we could not get heat and warmth with gas stove. In olden days Kashmiri's also got charcoal that is called in Kashmiri as Chinne (ember) from the earthen daan but today all this is almost absent as we have long before switched over to modern means of cooking food and the traditional daan is now a history .In fact traditional Kashmiri Daan or Dambur is a rustic, earthen stove built from clay,grass husk, and water, serving as the heart of rural kitchens for cooking and heating. It is is essential for surviving in harsh and severe winters in Kashmir but with the advent of gas stove and modern means of heating with electric rods,heaters etc ,the need for daan has dispensed and in modern day Kashmir, we no longer need daan as the modern means of cooking are easier,comfortable, enjoyable and these do not emit smoke and so there are no breathing aliments due to the smoke which used to emit from daan. 

Daan was once central heating source and providing embers for Kangris [fire pot].Its slow cooking, nutrient-rich method was cherished not withstanding its being replaced by modern, faster appliances. Daan is a raised, multi-holed mud hearth constructed by hand from local mud and straw. It was built into the kitchen. Basically daan was used for the purpose of cooking and its secondary purpose was to produce heat as it acted as a central heating system for homes and kept them warm during winters.Wood,dry paddy grass and tree branches are burnt to produce fire and heat.Food cooked on a Daan is particularly in earthen pots is considered to be of unique ,rich flavour and aroma. It reflects a traditional,slower lifestyle and was a focal point for family bonding.But in modern time LPG stoves and electric heaters have replaced traditional daan and with these modern innovations all the benefits of cooking on earthen daan are lost as daan has almost disappeared from the Kashmiri melluie. In future our children will wonder if there were daans in the olden days.

No doubt the modern appliances for cooking food are easier and comfortable but we miss the aura and warmth of traditional daan.We should stick to our culture,tradition and roots and let us preserve the old things for the present and future generations and our children will wonder if daan ever existed. Daan keeps our kitchen and home warm. The slow, consistent heat helps retain food nutrients. The most outstanding benefit is the cost effectiveness of daan. But in modern appliances of cooking food these benefits are totally absent and with all the modern appliances taste,flavour and warmth is totally the things of past. It is very sad that daan is lost in oblivion and with its disappearing all the plus points and its benefits are nowhere.