Koshur Wanwun
Preface
Our Kashmiri culture, language, and heritage are the pillars that have shaped our beliefs, values and given us an enduring sense of connection and belonging to Kashmir. For those of us living away from the homeland, this desire to stay connected to our roots, makes us look for ways to keep Kashmir close to our hearts no matter where we live.
My professional as well as my educational background, is biochemistry and software, not remotely connected or related to preserving Kashmiri culture and language. Witnessing the growing impact of “Urduization and Englishization” of the Kashmiri language (hardly any young kid speaking Kashmiri) I became fearful of losing our language, our culture and our songs to changing times and decided to do my part to save it before it is too late.
This urgency to save our Kasher baeth and Wanwun led to the compilation of five books of Kashmiri songs and Wanwun, presented in an easy-to- read English transliteration. The goal is for future generations, regardless of where they live, to have ready access to this huge collection of Kashmiri songs and Wanwun electronically. This second volume of Wanwun builds on the first book and includes over 500 new Wanwun huers (couplets).
These additions mostly represent a precious collection of Wanwun recited by Misra Begum to her granddaughter, Dr. Maroofa Khan, who entrusted me with this huge task of putting them in the book form. I am grateful and humbled by her trust in me and for giving me an opportunity to share this legacy with all my Kashmiri people, who value Kashmiri songs and wanwun.
Wanwun is the quintessential Kashmiri way of celebrating important events of our life through singing. Even though the scale and tune never changes, the pitch changes based on the occasion. For example, entering of groom at the bride’s place may elicit a lot of excitement while other occasions may ask for low key humming. Unlike gwayun, the women sing Wanwun standing in two groups, one group singing the couplets often using similes & metaphors and the second group repeating it verbatim. These songs often contain words of wisdom, virtues of marriage, and sometimes praises to God and his Prophets. Additionally, Wanwun is also part of important life events such as Khatanhaal (circumcision of male babies) and Zaare kaasne (first haircut of babies).
The Wanwun huers in this book are mainly related to major Muslim wedding events. The first part of the book includes Wanwun in chronological order, starting with Maenzrath (for Bride as well as groom) followed by events like Aab sharun & Mas muchravun (bride), Hamam (groom), Nikah, Mahraz yuen, Koer naeren, Nosh waeruv yin, Waethal (feast organized in honor of new daughter in law by groom’s parents), Phiresaal (Bride and groom’s first visit to her parent’s home) and Saetim doh (7th day) after wedding, Bride’s family comes to groom’s house to take the bride away to her parent’s home for few days).
The second part of the book includes Wanwun for other occasions, which may or may not be associated with typical Kashmiri weddings. Occasions like Nisheyn (engagement) share some similarities with wedding, so some of the Wanwun like maenze wanwun is similar. However, occasions like Zaare kaasne or Khatanhaal are specific. Wanwun for Waze achnus again is common to many events. So, when you use this book, you can choose Wanwun from other events as you feel appropriate.
It is my hope that these books will inspire a renewed interest in Kashmiri Wanwun within current and future generations of Kashmiris. The aim is for all of us to collectively work and ensure that efforts to revive and preserve Kashmiri culture and language are successful!
Karev Koshur; Parev Koshur; Ruziv Kaeshir!
Let us make Kashmiri cool again!!
Much Love