Food and Culture in Kashmiri Writings

Abstract

This article delves into the intricate relationship between cuisine and cultural preservation in Kashmiri literature, with a particular focus on Shahnaz Bashir’s Scattered Souls (2017). Through evocative descriptions of cooking rituals, traditional dishes, and communal feasts, Bashir’s narratives showcase the Kashmiri kitchen as a site of memory, identity, and resilience. The article explores how culinary practices, such as the preparation of Wazwan or the careful recreation of everyday meals, serve as mnemonic devices that connect individuals to their ancestral heritage and familial bonds. By highlighting the sensorial richness of food—its taste, aroma, and texture—the narrative underscores how these elements trigger memories and sustain cultural continuity, especially in times of displacement or social change. Rather than relying on overt declarations of cultural identity, the literature uses the subtleties of domestic life to reveal the enduring power of food in shaping collective memory. This study argues that food in Kashmiri writings functions as a silent but potent symbol, fostering belonging and anchoring tradition within the evolving landscape of Kashmiri society. Ultimately, the article demonstrates that cuisine is not merely sustenance but a vital repository of meaning and identity in Kashmiri culture.