Nagin Bagh – 1935

The DNA newspaper reports that 22 films will be shown at the first ever Kashmir International Film Festival next Saturday 21 December at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre next to Dal Lake in Srinagar. This is the first festival for 23 years since the now defunct ‘Allah Tigers’ forced all cinemas in the Valley to be shut down. This is a remarkable prospect.

I made my first visit to Ladakh and Kashmir last summer when the roads were clear of snow and was greatly struck, not only by the astonishing scenery, but also by the serious political undercurrents. In July Ladakh was invaded briefly by China and thankfully on a small scale. I have yet to understand Kashmir; the complexities are huge. Those of us in the west have heard nearly nothing of the euphemistically called ‘troubles’. It was a war of the most insidious sort and I am not sure that it has ended. Kashmir is governed and in effect financially dependent on India. Yet some Kashmiris seek total independence and others have support from Pakistan.

One would have thought that Kashmir would seek to regain international prominence and want to attract tourism on a wide scale; it has many assets. In September Zubin Mehta conducted a wonderful concert in the Shalimar Gardens through the auspices of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the German Ambassador. No mean feat. The heavily guarded and exclusive audience of 1500 were treated to a great experience yet Kashmiri separatists used this as an occasion to protest in the streets, ostensibly about limited public access to tickets but mainly to highlight their cause. Mr Mehta said wisely “Music is the message of peace, and music only brings peace.” This is the time to see the bigger picture and hopefully there will be no so such protests during the film festival.