'Kashmir is an integral part of India', a line that one has heard umpteen number of times from political leaders across the spectrum. It has always sounded like an arbitrary statement designed to rebuff Pakistan and to reaffirm India's military might over a coveted geographical area.
But facts exist that will change this perspective. The facts can astound you, baffle you but more than that reveal glaring lacunae in the history we've been led to believe so far.
It's understandable that the British established a syllabus for us that was designed to obliterate our glories and inculcate shame in us for all things Indian. But over 70 years past independence, we are guilty of still toeing their line. Why and what for?
The facts are proof that Kashmir is the fountainhead from which flows our culture, in fact, everything that defines our identity as Indians".
It was home to Panini, whose 'Ashtadhyayi' is considered the most scientific and flawless treatise on grammar in the world. Patanjali, who gifted to humanity his 'Yog Sutra'. Sharangdev, considered the father of both Hindustani and Carnatic music. Acharya Abhinav Gupt, one of the greatest scholars of all times, who wrote 46 literary classics, including the renowned Abhinav Bharti. His principles of 'ras' are being taught in 80 universities around the world.
Kashmir was considered the abode of goddess Saraswati, the highest seat of learning in India and was also referred as Sharda Peeth. So much so that when students graduated from Kashi, they took 4 symbolic steps towards Kashmir, denoting their aspiration for higher learning. Almost the entire body of Sanskrit literature has its origins in Kashmir.
Rajtarangini, an authoritative historical tome on the royal lineage of Kashmir, written by Kalhans in the 12th century outlines the greatness of King Lalitaditya, possibly the most powerful emperor of all times, whose kingdom in the 8th century extended from the Caspian Sea in the north to the Kaveri basin in the south and included Assam in the east.
Srinagar was established by Emperor Asoka. Mahayana Buddhism was spread across mid Asia, China and Japan by Kashmiri monks.
Who are these educationists who are deliberately withholding such vital slices of history from our text books? How will the present as well as future generations realise that Kashmir is the keystone of our heritage through millenia, finding mention even in our oldest scriptures?
It is not a piece of land. It is the abode of the soul of India.
*Note. Adapted from an article on the subject.
"Kashmir is an integral part of India", now has a new meaning for me. It is no longer a statement but an impassioned avowal!
Tailpiece.
Coming back to the shenanigans of the Malayalam movie artistes' body Amma. After the hasty and disastrous decision of reinducting Dileep, it has been almost over a fortnight, today. The deafening silence of Manju Warrier, ever since, has not only been misleading and confusing her colleagues in the 'Women Cinema Collective' of Amma but also the general public! The reason given is that she is in 'America'. Now don't tell us that you couldn't issue a statement thus far. Or have you had a change of heart regarding your ex-husband and consequently, care two hoots about the feelings of your fellow actress who went through the ignominy?
But facts exist that will change this perspective. The facts can astound you, baffle you but more than that reveal glaring lacunae in the history we've been led to believe so far.
It's understandable that the British established a syllabus for us that was designed to obliterate our glories and inculcate shame in us for all things Indian. But over 70 years past independence, we are guilty of still toeing their line. Why and what for?
The facts are proof that Kashmir is the fountainhead from which flows our culture, in fact, everything that defines our identity as Indians".
It was home to Panini, whose 'Ashtadhyayi' is considered the most scientific and flawless treatise on grammar in the world. Patanjali, who gifted to humanity his 'Yog Sutra'. Sharangdev, considered the father of both Hindustani and Carnatic music. Acharya Abhinav Gupt, one of the greatest scholars of all times, who wrote 46 literary classics, including the renowned Abhinav Bharti. His principles of 'ras' are being taught in 80 universities around the world.
Kashmir was considered the abode of goddess Saraswati, the highest seat of learning in India and was also referred as Sharda Peeth. So much so that when students graduated from Kashi, they took 4 symbolic steps towards Kashmir, denoting their aspiration for higher learning. Almost the entire body of Sanskrit literature has its origins in Kashmir.
Rajtarangini, an authoritative historical tome on the royal lineage of Kashmir, written by Kalhans in the 12th century outlines the greatness of King Lalitaditya, possibly the most powerful emperor of all times, whose kingdom in the 8th century extended from the Caspian Sea in the north to the Kaveri basin in the south and included Assam in the east.
Srinagar was established by Emperor Asoka. Mahayana Buddhism was spread across mid Asia, China and Japan by Kashmiri monks.
Who are these educationists who are deliberately withholding such vital slices of history from our text books? How will the present as well as future generations realise that Kashmir is the keystone of our heritage through millenia, finding mention even in our oldest scriptures?
It is not a piece of land. It is the abode of the soul of India.
*Note. Adapted from an article on the subject.
"Kashmir is an integral part of India", now has a new meaning for me. It is no longer a statement but an impassioned avowal!
Tailpiece.
Coming back to the shenanigans of the Malayalam movie artistes' body Amma. After the hasty and disastrous decision of reinducting Dileep, it has been almost over a fortnight, today. The deafening silence of Manju Warrier, ever since, has not only been misleading and confusing her colleagues in the 'Women Cinema Collective' of Amma but also the general public! The reason given is that she is in 'America'. Now don't tell us that you couldn't issue a statement thus far. Or have you had a change of heart regarding your ex-husband and consequently, care two hoots about the feelings of your fellow actress who went through the ignominy?
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