SRINAGAR: The youth of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday set a world record for the largest ever Kashmiri folk dance performed by 10,000 young women at the cultural festival ‘Kashur Riwaaj’.
A Defence Ministry spokesman said that 10,000 young women performed the largest Kashmiri folk dance ever at the Kashur Riwaaj Cultural Fest to mark the 78th Independence Day.
The grand event was organised by the Dagger Division of the Chinar Corps in collaboration with the Baramulla District Administration and the Indrani Balan Foundation (IBF) as a pre-celebration of the 78th Independence Day.
The festival was held at the Prof. Showkat Ali Indoor Stadium to showcase the living traditions of Kashmir through traditional dances, music, calligraphy and cultural activities.
“The highlight was the joint performance of the ‘Rouf’ dance by the young women, which set a new world record,” he added.
“We have been rehearsing for almost a month. Now we feel that all the effort has been worth it. This is a great achievement and we are proud to be part of the world record,” said one of the young participants.
The district administration under the leadership of Minga Sherpa, DC ensured the smooth running of the event. Senior officials of Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Authority, police and NGOs were also present at the historic event and encouraged the participants.
The guest of honour was Lt. General Rajiv Ghai, Corps Commander, Chinar Corps, while Major General Rajesh Sethi, GOC Dagger Division and Commander, Baramulla Brigade, Brigadier Rajat Bhatt were also present on the occasion.
The IBF under the leadership of Punit and Janhavi Balan supported the initiative and continued to engage in various development and cultural activities in Baramulla.
“This is a shining example of constructive engagement and cooperation between the civil, military and industrial communities, as well as the youth,” said an IBF representative.
The record competition was judged by the Universal Records Forum. The Universal Records Forum (URF) is an ISO 9001:2015 certified organization that complies with Guinness World Records standards, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining quality management standards.
Certification ensures that URF adheres to rigorous processes and standards in its operations, including the review and assessment of records.
A local professor said, “Kashmiri culture is a melting pot of diversity, but today’s youth are showing waning interest because it is no longer in fashion. The initiative of the army and the district authorities has rekindled interest in our centuries-old traditions.”
The cultural festival was a vibrant showcase of Kashmiri artistry and talent of famous local artists. Visitors were privileged to witness remarkable performances and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir. Ishfaq Hamid Bhatt, a 13-year-old child prodigy, showcased his exceptional skills on the ‘Rubab’.
Awarded the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Bal Puraskar 2024, Ishfaq is known for his remarkable talent and commitment towards preserving Kashmiri musical traditions.
Naseer Ahmed Mir, a celebrated santoor player, also performed at the fest. During the graduation ceremony of Kashmir University in 2021, he was awarded a gold medal by the President in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the art of santoor playing.
The mini concert by Rubab and Santoor mesmerized the audience. Shafi Mir, a calligraphy expert from Baramulla was also part of the event.
Mir, 70, brings a lifetime of experience and skill to this craft. He also presented the guest of honour with an elaborate calligraphic work that he had made on site.
The passionate performance by the Chinar YUVA Centre band ‘Strings of Baramulla’ was the highlight of the show. The audience was enthralled as the popular RJs of Radio Baramulla took the stage as masters of ceremonies.
It is a programme “by the youth for the youth of Baramulla”, said RJ Harleen.
RJ Sajid said, “This event has demonstrated the vibrant spirit of our young generation and their commitment to preserving our cultural heritage while maintaining a sense of national pride.”
“The Indian Army remains closely connected with the people of Kashmir and actively supports the preservation of their heritage and traditions. The Army has worked alongside the people and contributed to their empowerment, education, skill development, infrastructure development and perpetuation of cultural practices and values. It has thereby demonstrated its commitment to the cultural heritage of the region while guarding the country’s borders and maintaining peace in the hinterland,” the Army spokesman said.
“The success of ‘Kashur Riwaaj’ has set a benchmark for future cultural engagements in the region and united the youth of Kashmir in a demonstration of tradition and patriotism,” he said.
