On a quiet summer afternoon in 2020, a calendar at a mosque in Indian-administered Kashmir caught Muneer Ahmad Dar's attention. It featured a poem written in Kashmiri, the language spoken in the region.
To his surprise, he struggled to read it, prompting a realization of how his generation had drifted away from their mother tongue as English, Urdu, and Hindi gained prominence.
Determined to change this narrative, Dar launched a social media page called Muneer Speaks aimed at preserving and promoting Kashmiri culture. Five years later, his profile boasts over 500 million impressions across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
I want to tell stories about our places and histories, our proverbs, folklore, and poetry, he states. His initiative is part of a larger movement among young content creators in Kashmir who are using digital media to document their heritage.
Despite the backdrop of violence and conflict in the region, these creators emphasize the importance of art, tradition, and daily life, showcasing a side of Kashmir that often goes unseen.
As Dar's focus expanded from language to encompassing local architecture, culinary history, and cultural lore, he represents a wave of youth striving to keep their heritage alive amidst adversity.
Additionally, platforms such as the Museum of Kashmir, run by journalist Muhammad Faysal, pursue similar goals by documenting forgotten artefacts and traditions, thus instilling a sense of pride and nostalgia among followers.
However, the journey is fraught with challenges. Content creators must ensure factual accuracy, especially when relying on oral histories. The limitations imposed by social media algorithms and the absence of Kashmiri as a recognized language on key platforms often hinder visibility.
Despite these obstacles, figures like Dar and other young artists like Sheikh Adnan and Seerat Hafiz remain committed to illuminating Kashmir’s vibrant culture and history. They act as both storytellers and custodians of a rich tradition that refuses to fade.
