Dublin gets glimpse of J&K, Ladakh’s rich cultural heritage

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Ireland, the Embassy of India in Dublin hosted a special cultural evening dedicated to Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh as part of its ongoing State Cultural Event Series.

Inspired by the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, the event showcased the rich historical, cultural, culinary and artistic heritage of the two Union Territories through a multimedia presentation, traditional dances, Kashmiri poetry recitals, and an exhibition of handicrafts and textiles.

Ambassador of India to Ireland, Akhilesh Mishra, who addressed the gathering, expressed gratitude to the nearly 200-strong Kashmiri diaspora in Dublin for their enthusiastic participation and support in organising the landmark event.

Describing Kashmiri traditions as a reflection of India’s syncretic and inclusive civilizational ethos, Mishra spoke of the challenges faced by the region due to decades of cross-border terrorism and radicalisation. He noted that following the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed a significant revival in tourism, infrastructure development and connectivity with the rest of India.

Recalling the region’s ancient philosophical and literary heritage, the envoy lauded efforts to revive the Sharda script and translate Kashmiri literary works into Hindi, including the recently rendered Kashmiri Ramayana. He also underlined the renewed global interest in Kashmiri philosopher Abhinavagupta and saint-poetess Lal Ded, whose teachings of devotion and unity transcend social barriers.