| Tourist
Villages |
| >
Proposed Tourist Village at Akingaam |
| The
valley of Kashmir is much famed both for its natural beauty
as well as the artistic creations of its habitants. The place,
its crafts and the mode of life of its dwellers has been vividly
described by poets, historians and travelers down the ages.
Yet within the confines of its majestic locations, the life
of the people of Kashmir has been a constant struggle against
the harshness of climate as well as the prevailing socio-political
set up. The ironies and hypocrisy of such a decadent social
system have been captured since distant time by the wandering
minstrels of Kashmir known as Bhands. |
| The
village of Akingaam is located at a distance of 4 km from Acchabal
in the District of Anantnag. The village lies on the western
spurs of a low-lying mountain range known as Zooni Mal. The
village and its surrounding areas are inhabited by the Baghat
community, with a total population of 820 persons. Though most
of the Bhand community of Kashmir is made up of Muslims, yet
the Akingaam Company also had Pandit members. According to legends
the Pandits of Akingaam took to Bhand Pather on the express
order of a goddess, Devi who placed a fiddle (swarnai) in the
hands of one of their ancestors. |
| As
per older traditions narrated amongst the Baghats of Akingaam,
the Bhand community is deeply associated with the local Kashmiri
traditions of the Reshis. The village of Akingaam houses numerous
shrines linked with members of a Reshi family, locally known
as Sat Reshis (seven saints), which are held in great reverence
by the Baghats. |
| The
traditions of Bhand Pather within the Baghat community used
to be handed on orally from master to pupil but over a period
of time many valuable elements linked to this art have been
irrevocably lost due to passing away of an older generation
of teachers. It is for this purpose that it was proposed to
construct an interpretation centre along with an open-air theatre
to help the Baghat community. The centre will not only help
in preserving the tradition of Bhand pather by providing the
community with a permanent stage of performance but also act
as a medium for transmitting the teaching of an older generation
to newer younger aspirants. |
| In
addition to imparting training in Bhand Pather the centre will
also provide students with instructions related to the performance
of following musical instruments |
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