Mousoof Shaw

My family left Kashmir in 1995. The main reason was that my father had to shift his base to Delhi due to the insurgency in the valley. Our family already had a home there, and we regularly stayed in Delhi for about three months during winter due to the harsh climate in Kashmir.

Over time, my father's business—which depended largely on visitors and tourism related to Kashmiri arts—was affected. This also began to impact our education. As a result, relocating to Delhi became a practical and necessary decision for both our family's livelihood and our future.

Growing up, our parents always spoke to us in Kashmiri at home. As children, we mostly responded and conversed in Urdu. However, over time, we have come to speak more in Kashmiri, as it is our mother tongue and an important part of our identity.

When I think of the Kashmiri language and literature, I think of its richness, depth, and cultural beauty. It reflects our history, emotions, traditions, and way of life. Through poetry, stories, and everyday expressions, Kashmiri preserves our identity and connects us to our roots and heritage.

I grew up hearing many poems, stories, and songs connected to our culture. I used to read a lot about Habba Khatoon, Lal Ded, and Mahjoor, whose works left a deep impression on me. Their poetry reflected love, spirituality, and the essence of Kashmiri life.

My grandmother, in particular, played an important role in keeping these traditions alive. She often shared stories passed down through generations, including tales about mysteries, folklore, and historical events. Listening to her stories created a strong emotional connection to our heritage and helped shape my appreciation for Kashmiri language and culture.

My paternal grandmother and grandfather were the main people responsible for passing down our language, memories, and traditions. Through their stories, daily conversations, and shared experiences, they kept our cultural heritage alive within our family. They taught us the importance of our roots and made sure that we stayed connected to our identity.

I don't feel that these traditions changed after leaving Kashmir. In many ways, I feel even more connected to my Kashmiri identity now. I often speak in my mother tongue, and every time I visit Kashmir, I feel a deep sense of belonging. The people, the weather, the food, and the presence of friends and family make it feel like home.

Although I have lived most of my life in Australia, I do not experience the same emotional connection there. Kashmir continues to hold a special place in my heart, and it remains central to who I am. Being away has only strengthened my appreciation for my culture, language, and heritage.

Kashmir means everything to me. It is not just a place, but the foundation of my identity, memories, and values. It represents my roots, my childhood, my language, and my family history. Every visit reminds me of who I am and where I come from.

Kashmir gives me a sense of peace, belonging, and emotional connection that I have not found anywhere else. The people, culture, traditions, food, and natural beauty all come together to create a feeling of home. No matter where I live, Kashmir remains close to my heart and continues to shape my thoughts, feelings, and outlook on life.

I believe it is very important for future generations to take pride in our culture, history, traditions, and legacy. Unfortunately, I see that many young people today are strongly influenced by Western culture, and as a result, many Kashmiris no longer speak the Kashmiri language. Our traditions and way of life are slowly fading, which is deeply concerning.

It is essential that we actively preserve our language, customs, stories, and values, because they are what make us unique. This responsibility becomes even more important when we are living outside Kashmir, where it is easy to lose touch with our roots. As the saying goes, you can take a Kashmiri out of Kashmir, but you cannot take Kashmir out of a Kashmiri.

For me, being Kashmiri is a source of pride. I love my identity, and I believe it is our duty to pass it on to future generations so that they remain connected to their heritage and understand where they come from.