KASHMIRI WAZWAAN

 

Wazwan, a multi-course meal in the Kashmiri tradition, is treated with great respect. Its preparation is considered an art. Almost all the dishes are meat-based (lamb, chicken, fish, beef). It is considered a sacrilege to serve any dishes based around pulses or lentils during this feast. Wazwan is only restricted to the Muslims of Kashmir and they regard it as the pride of their culture and identity.
Wazwan, a multi-course meal in the Kashmiri tradition, is treated with great respect. Its preparation is considered an art. Almost all the dishes are meat-based (lamb, chicken, fish, beef). It is considered a sacrilege to serve any dishes based around pulses or lentils during this feast. Wazwan is only restricted to the Muslims of Kashmir and they regard it as the pride of their culture and identity.
History
The history of modern Kashmiri cuisine can be traced back to the fifteenth century invasion of India by Timur, and the migration of 1700 skilled woodcarvers, weavers, architects, calligraphers and cooks from Samarkand to the valley of Kashmir. The descendants of these cooks, the Wazas, are the master chefs of Kashmir. The ultimate formal banquet in Kashmir is the royal Wazwan. Of its thirty-six courses, between fifteen and thirty can be preparations of meat, cooked overnight by the master chef, Vasta Waza, and his retinue of wazas.Guests are seated in groups of four and share the meal out of a large metal plate called the trami. The meal begins with invoking the name of Allah and a ritual washing of hands at basin called the tash-t-nari, which is taken around by attendants. Then the tramis arrive, heaped with rice, quartered by four seekh kababs and contains four pieces of methi korma, one tabak maaz, one safed murg, one zafrani murg, and the first few courses. Curd and chutney are served separately in small earthen pots. As each trami is completed, it is removed, and a new one brought in, until the dinner has run its course. Seven dishes are a must for these occasions—Rista, Rogan Josh, Tabak Maaz, Daniwal Korma, Aab Gosht, Marchwangan Korma and Gushtaba. The meal ends with the Gushtaba.
List of some famous dishes.
•    Rista (meatballs in a fiery red gravy)
•    Rogan Josh (tender lamb cooked with kashmiri spices)
•    Tabak Maaz (ribs of lamb simmered in yogurt till tender, then fried, can be served as a snack/side-dish)
•    Daniwal Korma (a mutton curry with lots of coriander)
•    Aab Gosht (spicy lamb curry)
•    Marchwangan Korma (an extremely hot lamb preparation)
•    Kabab (minced meat roasted on skewers over hot coals)
•    Gushtaba (a velvety textured meatball in white yogurt gravy,a specialty)
•    Yakhni (delicately spiced yogurt curry)
•    Ruwangan Chaman (Cheese squares with Tomato gravy)
•    Dum Oluv (potatoes cooked in yogurt gravy)
•    Nadir Yakhn (lotus stem in a delicate yogurt sauce)
•    Hak(with nadir/vangan) (a local variety of greens)
•    Nadir Palak (lotus stem with spinach)
•    Mujh Chetin (a sharp radish and walnut chutney)
•    Phirni (a dessert of semolina thickened in milk set in earthenware cups with nuts and "varq"-silver leaf)

Kashmiri beverages
Kashmiris are heavy tea drinkers. The most popular drink is a pinkish coloured salted tea called nun chai (or shir chai). It is made with black tea, cardamom, various spices, milk, salt and bicarbonate of soda. The peculiar colour of the tea is a result of its unique method of preparation and the addition of soda. This salted tea is very much like the salted tea prevalent in various parts of Central Asia.Nun chai is a common breakfast tea in Kashmiri households and is taken with special bread brought fresh from the bakers (kandur). Often, this tea is served in a large Samavars.At marriage feasts, festivals, religious places and when guests are welcomed, it is traditional to serve kahwah, a green tea made with saffron, spices and almonds or walnuts. There are 21 varieties of kahwah made in different households.Owing to the generally religious sentiments of Kashmiri Muslims, alcohol is not served among the Muslim community. However, there is no restricting on consumption of alcohol amongst the Pandit community. Alcohol consumption is a source of some controversy in the region.

courtesy:-www.kashmir360.com

2008 KASHMIR TURMOIL

2008 Kashmir Protests

By Syed Monis

Massive demonstrations occurred after plans by the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir state government totransfer 100 acers of land to a trust which runs the Hindu Amarnath shrine in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley. This land was to be used to build a shelter to house Hindu pilgrims temporarily during their annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath temple.
Indian security forces and the Indian army responded quickly to keep order. More than 40 unarmed protesters were killed  and at least 300 were detained.The largest protests saw more than a half million people waving Pakistani flags and crying for freedom at a single rally according to Time magazine. Pro-Independent Kashmir Leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq warned that the peaceful uprising could lead to violent upsurge if India's heavy-handed crackdown on protests were not restrained. The United Nations expressed concern on India's response to peaceful protests and urged to investigate and bring to justice Indian security personnel who had taken part in the crackdown.
Separatists and workers of a political party were believed to be behind stone pelting incidents which led to retaliatory fire by the police. Autorickshaw laden with stones meant for distribution was seized by the police in March 2009.Furthermore, following the unrest in 2008, which included more than 500,000 protesters at a rally on 18 August, secessionist movements gained a boost.

2008 Kashmir elections

State Elections were held in Indian held Kashmir in seven phases starting 17 November and finishing on 24 December 2008. In spite of calls by separatists for a boycott an unusually high turnout of almost 50% was recorded. The National Conference party which was founded by Sheikh Abdullah and regarded as pro India emerged with maximum seats and will form government in coalition with Indian National Congress.
2008 marks the lowest civilian casualties in 20 years with 89 deaths, compared to highest of 1,413 in 1996. 85 security personnel died in 2008 compared to 613 in 2001, while 102 militants were killed. Many analysts say Pakistan's preoccupation with jihadis within its own borders explains the relative calm.
2008 marked the greatest number of anti India protests since 1980 due to the Amarnath land transfer controversy with several hundred thousand protesters spilling out onto the streets of Indian-administered Kashmir demanding freedom from India the protests were suppressed by the Indian army with attacks on protesters leading to the deaths of 40 unarmed civilians. However the elections which were held subsequently led to almost half of the Kashmiris ignoring the boycott call by separatists and voting Pro India party National Conference into power.Separatists insist that this was so because people were looking towards their well being and voting for whatever could get them 'bread and clothing',and the turnout did not necessarily reflect the feelings of the Kashmiris towards India.On 30 December Congress and the National Conference agreed to form a coalition government, with Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister. On 5 January 2009 Omar Abdullah was sworn in as 11th Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. In March 2009 Omar Abdullah stated that only 800 militants were active in the state and out of these only 30% were Kashmiris.

Inputs from Times Magazine/Greater Kashmir