PRESS | | Posted by Akanksha Agnihotridoll
While “Bhand Pather” a folk traditions Kashmir theater is dying day by day in the valley, a young man Kashmiri artist, Rayees Wathoori from the Budgam district of central Kashmir has set out on a mission to breathe it in again. Notably, the Bhand Pather is a long tradition folk theater of Kashmir. It is usually held in open spaces. It belongs to the oral tradition in which the scripts were handed down from generation to generation after Guru Shishya Parampara.
The vocabulary used in the Bhand Pather is related to the Vakhs and Shrukhs of the great medieval and modern mystics of Kashmir. It acts as a mirror to society at a time when there was no media. It spreads awareness, exposes wrongdoing, highlights problems and much more. It was a good source of entertainment in those days because it was done in open space and people would gather around them to watch. People also used to stay healthy back then because they would be entertained in pure form.
Many artists in the Kashmir valley believe that art is dying day by day due to the negligence of the government. Even many talented artists have not volunteered to teach art to their children. It is facing a difficult time as lack of job opportunities is preventing young people from connecting with traditional culture. However, artist Rayees is on a mission to revive and make it relevant to the modern world. The artist said he is trying to express it in a different way and through that to convey a message about many social issues.
“I am trying to revive it in any way I can and I hope with the help of the authorities I can do it,” he said, adding that the arts are facing challenges. difficult times when those who are attached to it are moving away from it. Citing the reason for his absence was the lack of scripts, he said that due to the scarcity of writers, this art form is less popular, so it is currently facing many difficulties.
Furthermore, the artist argues that the government’s lack of interest in the arts also led to its difficult period. Rayees said that the government needs to have the right policy to support artists to stick with the art so that more and more interesting people can join.
This story was published from the wire dealer’s feed without text modification. Only the title has been changed.
