Our Culture Is Our Identity — Time to Revive J&K’s Cultural Institutions
Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural institutions need urgent attention, and the time to act is now. The artists, writers, poets, musicians, filmmakers, theatre practitioners, academics, intellectuals and civil society of J&K cannot remain silent while institutions entrusted with preserving and promoting our cultural heritage struggle to fulfil their larger purpose.
The J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, All India Radio/Akashwani and Doordarshan stations have historically provided vital platforms for the region’s writers, artists, musicians, performers and cultural voices. They have been an important part of our collective cultural memory and have helped generations connect with their languages, traditions and creative expression.
Today, these institutions need renewed energy, knowledgeable leadership, meaningful programming and genuine space for local talent.
This is not simply about administrative appointments. It is about the future of our cultural ecosystem. Young writers need platforms. Musicians need opportunities. Theatre groups need institutional support. Filmmakers need avenues to tell local stories. Folk artists and traditional performers need recognition and sustained support before valuable traditions disappear with the passing of generations.
Public cultural institutions must remain connected to the people and communities they were created to serve.
There is an urgent need to place knowledge, experience, professional competence and a genuine understanding of Jammu and Kashmir’s diverse cultural traditions at the heart of these institutions. Leadership should inspire confidence among the creative community, encourage participation and open doors for emerging talent.
Akashwani and Doordarshan, in particular, possess an extraordinary opportunity to document, preserve and showcase the cultural wealth of J&K. Greater space for original programming in Kashmiri, Urdu, Dogri, Gojri, Pahari and other regional languages can help ensure that our diverse cultural voices remain alive, visible and relevant to younger generations.
This is not about looking backwards. It is about ensuring that our cultural future has strong foundations.
Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural heritage is also an important part of its identity, tourism potential and creative economy. Strengthening cultural institutions must therefore be treated as an investment in the region’s social and intellectual future, not as a secondary administrative concern.
We urge Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take serious and timely steps towards the revival and strengthening of J&K’s cultural institutions. We also urge the concerned authorities at the Union level to provide the necessary institutional, financial and professional support.
This should rise above political affiliations. Culture belongs to everyone.
We appeal to political parties, elected representatives, civil society, universities, academicians, media organisations and, most importantly, the creative community of Jammu and Kashmir to make the revival of our cultural institutions a sustained public conversation.
Our cultural institutions must not merely preserve the past. They must create space for the voices, ideas and creativity that will define the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
Our culture is our identity. Our languages are our heritage. Our artists, writers and performers are the custodians of our collective memory.
Let us protect, strengthen and revive the institutions that protect our cultural inheritance — before more of it is lost.
Kashmir Pen CaresOmar AbdullahZahid G MuhammadAyaz Rasool NazkiGhulam Qadir AllaqabandRiyaz BedarEr Manzoor NawchooDr-Abdul AhadSyed Shakeel QalanderShereen NamanShamshad KralawariWaheed JeelaniMushtaaque Ali Ahmad KhanMushtaq BalaShakeel RehmanFiaz FaziliBhat Biotech HilalRizwan RumiAmin BhatBashir DadaSheikh Manzoor AhmedDrNazir MushtaqDrQasba NabiOnaiza DrabuTanvir SadiqZameer AshaiGM WaniUmar Imtiyaz BhatShahzad RasoolAyash ArifMir Sarwar@highlight
