History has turned Kashmiri Pandits, the original inhabitants of Kashmir, into a miniscule minority community. The political have forced them out of their hearths and homes. They are scattered all over the country and abroad. Obviously, therefore, their existence as a community with a distinct identity is in danger. The present book is intended to illustrate the unique features of this community, draw a portrait of their characteristics and give an insight into their intrinsic qualities. It gives a detailed account of their way of life, their rituals and festivals and all that goes to making of this enlightened community. It also shows the changes it has undergone in various ways and the manner it has adapted to the changes circumstances, while remaining firm with their roots and moorings. The book is intended to serve the twin purpose of giving a picture of the community to outsiders and rekindling a sense of pride among the kashmiri pandits about the richness of their culture, tradition, philosophy and their socio-religious character.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR T N Dhar
Born and brought up in Kashmir, T.N. Dhar (b. 1934) is an Hons. Graduate from Kashmir University and a qualified ICWA from London. A renowned poet of Kashmiri language, he started his career by writing for Radio Kashmir. He has worked in various capacities in the Audit Department of the Government of India, apex bodies of Sanskrit and Veda-Vidya as also in Shri Lal Bahadur Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, a Deemed University. He has authored several books in Hindi, Kashmiri and English including two volumes of his Hindi poems and a book on Education. His book on Indian Culture has been published by the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan as a part of its Golden Jubilee series. His interests include Indian Philosophy, Culture, Comparative Study of Religions and Education, in addition to his creative writing as a poet. He is at present the Consulting Editor of a journal of 47 years standing issued from Delhi. He has been contributing his poems and articles to various journals and the Anthologies compiled by the Sahitya Akademi and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Language.
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