Srinagar, July 21 (JKNS): The fourth day of the Chinar Book Festival 2026 turned into a vibrant celebration of Kashmir’s cultural and literary legacy, with Kashmiri theatre, traditional cuisine, Urdu literature and children’s learning activities taking centre stage at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), where thousands of readers, students and families participated in a series of discussions, workshops and cultural performances.
As per news agency JKNS, fourth day of the third Chinar Book Festival witnessed enthusiastic participation from readers, students and families at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), as the festival continued to celebrate books, ideas and culture through thought-provoking discussions, children’s activities and lively cultural performances.
The day began at the Authors’ Corner with an engaging session titled ‘From Soil to Soul: Culinary Traditions and Sustainability’. Moderated by Tripurari Singh, the session featured Chef Yaseen Reshi, Mrs. Rajni Wanchoo and Ms. Khair Ull Nissa Sheikh.
Wanchoo spoke about the inseparable bond between soil, food and culture, urging younger generations to reconnect with indigenous vegetables and seasonal produce.
Chef Reshi highlighted how Kashmiri cuisine has long practised sustainability through zero-waste cooking, the use of local ingredients and traditional dishes such as Dode Waegre, a savoury rice pudding he described as a Kashmiri risotto.
Sharing personal memories, Sheikh recalled traditional methods of preserving meat and vegetables for winter and drew parallels with sustainable food practices she had witnessed in Japan, Mongolia, Africa and elsewhere in the world.
In a landmark initiative, the session ‘Theatre in Kashmir: Reviving a Living Tradition’, brought together eminent playwrights, actors, directors, scholars and theatre practitioners on a common platform to deliberate on the past, present and future of Kashmiri theatre.
Opening the discussion, Dr. Farooq Fayaz traced the origins of Kashmiri theatre to the region’s ancient Sanskrit tradition, describing Kashmir as one of the foremost centres of learning in philosophy, literature, aesthetics and dramatic arts. Referring to texts such as the Nilamata Purana and Rajatarangini, he said that archaeological and literary evidence confirms that Kashmir had a thriving tradition of playwriting and drama.
Reflecting on the evolution of modern theatre, Shri Nisar Naseem described the period between 1970 and 1989 as the golden era of Kashmiri theatre, when original productions in Kashmiri and Hindi flourished.
He explained that while theatre across the world initially revolved around religious themes before evolving into stories of kings and wars, its greatest strength emerged when it began portraying the lives of ordinary people.
Speaking from the perspective of a performer, Kusum Tikoo stressed that meaningful performances do not require elaborate auditoriums but can thrive through street theatre, neighbourhood performances and community spaces.
Highlighting innovative initiatives such as one-minute theatrical reels on social media and rooftop performances, she encouraged young people to write original scripts and experiment with new formats.
“We respect our golden history, but we cannot remain confined to it,” she said, urging students to become the next generation of playwrights and performers.
Rohit Bhatt proposed establishing theatre groups across schools and colleges where students would write, direct, perform and manage productions themselves before participating in inter-institutional competitions.
He also underlined the importance of independent cultural initiatives, noting that his organisation had staged nearly 1,500 plays, only a fraction of which received government support.
Throughout the discussion, moderator Rashid Nizami guided the conversation through the historical evolution of theatre in Kashmir, the challenges faced during periods of conflict and the urgent need to cultivate a new generation of playwrights, actors and audiences.
The National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) organised two literary sessions at the Authors’ Corner, including a discussion on ‘Urdu in the Digital Age’ and a book release o ‘Mir Taqi Mir ki Ghazaliya Shairi Ka Ghinai Pahlu’.
Speakers highlighted the importance of integrating Urdu with digital platforms, preserving manuscripts through technology and creating new resources to ensure the language remains accessible to younger generations.
The second session explored the richness of Urdu poetry while discussing Mir Taqi Mir’s ghazals, their musicality, expression and literary significance.
The Children’s Corner drew enthusiastic participation from 4,000 young learners throughout the day.
The morning began with ‘Kabir for Kids’, an interactive storytelling session by Shivani and Saurabh, introducing children to the timeless wisdom of Kabir through engaging stories and activities. This was followed by a lively quiz competition organised by Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, where students tested their knowledge while learning about the free digital library, which offers free access to thousands of books in multiple Indian languages.
A financial literacy session by SEBI was conducted by Chartered Financial Analyst Amit Mawai, who introduced teenagers to the basics of savings and investments, explaining key financial concepts in a simple and engaging manner.
The day concluded with ‘Harf-o-Hunar’, an Arabic Calligraphy Workshop conducted by Malik Mukhtar, where children enthusiastically explored the beauty of calligraphic art while learning the fundamentals of traditional lettering.
Ashwani Kumar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Jammu & Kashmir, visited the Chinar Book Festival and interacted with the young participants at the Children’s Corner, appreciating their creativity and enthusiasm for learning.
Continuing the festival’s celebration of Kashmir’s performing arts, the cultural programme featured a series of theatre performances by Gulistan Bhagat Theatre, Azad Dramatic Club, Mehak Dramatic Club and Yusmarg Folk Theatre, showcasing the richness of the Valley’s theatrical traditions. Audiences were also treated to an engrossing Dastangoi performance that revived the timeless art of oral storytelling.
The evening concluded with soulful musical performances by Aijaz Sahir, Zubaida Ali, and the duo Asif and Tanzeeb, bringing the day’s celebrations to a memorable close.
As the Chinar Book Festival continues till 26 July, Day 5 of the Chinar Book Festival will feature an engaging conversation with renowned actor Rakesh Bedi, a showcase of innovative ideas by students of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) and a special session titled ‘Daughters of the Valley: Voices, Vision & Legacy’ celebrating the contributions and journeys of women from Kashmir. (JKNS)
