Seminar on Kashmiri Culture, Tradition, Values & Pandits
Sanskrit College, Mylapore, Chennai 24 April 2011

With the Blessings of Their Holinesses Pujyasri Shankaracharya Swamijis of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Seminar on Kashmiri Culture, Tradition, Values & Pandits is being organized at Sanskrit College, Mylapore, Chennai on Sunday, 24th April 2011. Distinguished scholars took part in this seminar and spoke about various subjects pertaining to the tradition & culture of Kashmiri pandits. The seminar, which commenced at 3.30 pm, was well attended and lasted for about five hours.

The programme commenced with Svasti Vachanam and Prayer. Prasad blessed and sanctified by Their Holinesses was distributed to the gathering. Shri S.A. Balasubramaniam, Advocate and organizer of the seminar, welcomed the gathering.

Shri Madhavan, Secretary of the Sanskrit college spoke on the importance of the seminar and the interest of the Shankaracharya Swamijis of Sri Kanchi Kamamkoti Peetam in the protection of culture.

Shri Ramachandran, retd. IAS, highlighted the importance of protection of the Kashmiri traditions and stressed the importance of the river Sindhu, flowing in the Leh-Ladakh region.

A view of the speakers on the dais

Scholars receiving the Prasad blessed by His Holiness

Dr. Ramana Sarma spoke about Gruhya Sutra of the Kashmiri Pandits, who mostly belong to the Kathaka Shakha (branch) of the Krishna Yajurveda, called as the Laugakshi Gruhya sutra. He cited some unique customs prevailing in the Kashmiri pandit wedding, where the sakhi (friend attendant) holds the uttariya (upper garment)of the bridegroom and wards off evil spirits from him with a sword. He dwelt upon the prescribed practices in general and stressed the need to keep them alive and in practice, in order to preserve the identity of the Kashmiri pandits.

Dr. Srinivasan discussed at length the water conserving methods adopted by the kings of Kashmir , as mentioned in the Rajatarangini. It will be of interest to note that some of these methods are copied and adopted in Kerala in the far south of the country even to day.

Shri Ramayanam Srinivasan listed the famous scholars and works of Kashmir, and a reference to Kashmir in the Srimad Valmiki Ramayana.

Shri V. Razdan, General Manager, Park Sheraton Hotel, Chennai, gave a detailed exposition of Kashmir ’s history with the aid of a slideshow.

Dr Kumaraswamy discussed the special features found in the Alankara sastra, that emanated from Kashmiri poets.

Shri VK Rajan a famous archeologist showed slides of ancient temples, pottery and objects of national importance from Kashmir civilization.

Another speaker highlighted the necessity of including the glorious history of Kashmir to the young minds in other parts of India , by
having it in their text book syllabus. This will pave the way for a better understanding of the people living in Kashmir , by others.

Mr. Panchapakesan spoke about the various places of interest in Kashmir, that make a tourist’s paradise and stressed inter-regional
tourism between Kashmiris  and the rest of India

Shri Balasubramaniam gave the Vote of Thanks.

Books on Kashmiri Culture and Traditions on display

Photos taken during His Holiness' recent visit to Kashmir and Srimatam's temple in Kashmir on display

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