DIGITAL PRESERVATION: HERITAGE OF KASHMIR

1. DIGITAL PRESERVATION: HERITAGE OF KASHMIR NadimAkhtar Khan Assistant Professor Department of Library and Information Science University of Kashmir, 190006 TazeemZainab IramMahajan MudasirKhazer & TaufatHussain Research Scholars Department of Library and Information Science University of Kashmir, 190006

2. Heritage • It is the cultivation of cultural patrimony Christopher Tunnard • Heritage can also state the property, which parents handed down to their progeny and can also refer to an intellectual or spiritual legacy. Graeme Davidson • Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. World Heritage Commission UNESCO

3. Cultural heritage • Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations. • It is an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation, including customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions and values. 

4. Cultural heritage includes  • Tangible Culture (such as buildings, monuments, landscapes, books, works of art, and artifacts), • Intangible Culture (such as folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge), and • Natural Heritage (including culturally significant landscapes, and biodiversity).

5. CULTURAL PRESERVATION • Preservation is instinctive in human beings. • Since the beginning, humans were protecting, repairing and cleaning their own shelter, whether it was a cave or an independent standing structure. • Concept of preservation relates to the safeguarding of cultural resources. • Digitization converts materials from formats that can be read by people (analog) to a format that can be read only by machines (digital), such as read-only scanner, digital cameras, planetary cameras and a number of other devices which can be used to digitize cultural heritage materials .

7. Cultural Heritage of Kashmir Cultural heritage of Kashmir is as multi-dimensional as the variegated backdrop of its physical exuberance which has nursed and inspired it all along. Its sanctity and evergreen stature can be conveniently inferred from the chaste shimmering snow, with its virgin demeanor from top to toe, adorning the towering peaks of its mountainous periphery. Mellowing kisses of the sun endow these summits with a rosy blush lending perennial health to our warbling brooks, roaring waterfalls and sedate and solemn lakes. To crown all, this very nectarine glow has most meaningfully groomed our mental attitude to glean unity amidst seeming diversity.

8. Kashmiri LANGUAGE The most important part of the cultural identity of the Kashmiri people is the Kashmiri (Koshur) language. This language is spoken only in the Valley of Kashmir by the Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims.

9. The Kashmiri Cuisine Kashmiris are hospitable by nature. They enjoy social life and mutual entertainment. This has been one main cause of the development of their culinary art. Different types of menus were also inspired by the cuisines of different rulers and visitors, who came in the past from Persia, Afghanistan and other places. Mughals especially had a great influence on the cooking of Meat Dishes and different Pulavs. Emperors Jehangir and Shahjehan, with their lovely queens, their courtiers and kith and kin, made Kashmir their health resort and a place of sport, enjoyment, eating and drinking.

10. KASHMIRI POETS Kashmir has been the abode of eminent scholars, savants, historians and poets, like Bilhan, Mamatachary, Anandavardhana, Gunaverman, Abhinavagupta, Jonaraja, Kalhana, etc. During the Muslim rule, Persian became the court language. Kashmiri scholars did not lag behind in acquiring mastery in this language also and produced scholars and poets like Gani Kashmiri, MunshiBhawaniDassKachroo, Hyder Malik Chadura, Narayan KaulAjiz, Muhammad AzamDidmari, etc. Besides them, there were saints and poets who preferred to use their own Kashmiri dilect for conveying their messages and thoughts. These included both men and women. Most prominent among them were Sheikh Noor-u-Din Noorani, LalDed, RupaBhawani, HabbaKhatoon and Arinimaal. 

11. KASHMIRI COSTUME The long flowing dress called the is traditionally worn by both males and females. The dress is always worn in a pair, the underlayer called potsh, being of light white cotton. In case of women, the pheran has wide sleeves, overturned and fringed with brocaded or embroidered stripes.

12. KASHMIRI MUSIC Kashmir has been a grand arena of arts. There have been poets, dancers, writers, dramatists and musicians, who have attained glory in the literary and art world. In music world, Kashmiri Pandits, from time to time, have contributed a lot to bring music of Kashmir to a more advanced and organized state. Their achievements have been remarkable and to talk about these achievements of past, gives a sense of pride and pleasure - it rejuvenates the spirit.

13. KASHMIRI FOLKTALES Nine hundred years ago a remarkable collection of stories called Kathasaritsagara, the ''Ocean of Stories", was produced in Kashmir. Somadeva, its author, is said to have included in this tome many stories which he had heard from others and which, in fact, had their origin in folk-literature. The Kathasaritsagara, which may justly be called a treasure of folk tales, has had considerable influence on countries which were in close touch with India during the Middle Ages.

14. KASHMIRI ARTIFACTS Kashmir is a treasure trove of handicrafts. The various tribes residing in the valley, the Mughal connection, the Persians and then the Tibetans have continuously contributed to and enriched the tradition of art and crafts in Srinagar. Kashmiri artifacts are by now so popular among the people all over the country and abroad, that these are available all over India and a large part of it is exported to feed the demand of Kashmiri handicrafts outside India. 

15. CONCLUSION Culture is always in a flux and ferment. It is a non-stop mental journey with no mile-posts to cool its heels upon. It is, precisely speaking, the cumulative expression of the values enshrined in the heart-beats of the denizens of this Happy Valley. The irresistible stamp of Buddhist compassion, Hindu tolerance and Muslim Zest for life is most unmistakably discernible from the attainments of Kashmiri mind and intellect. Kashmiri culture—be it language, arts and crafts, music, architecture, social values, attire etc, has been suffering from a one way import of ideas for a long time now, where it has been absorbing influences from other cultures. Thus efforts need to be made to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir to revive its lost essence for the generationsto come.

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