From the Editor’s Desk

13 April 2021

Isbund, it’s popping sound and mystical fragrance is associated in Kashmiri culture, with new beginnings, good wishes and positivity which is why we chose this as the name of our new quarterly newsletter. We hope to present this as a platform for our entire community, where we can share what is important to us – news about our achievements and accomplishments, however small or big they may be; proudly preserve our culture by highlighting our traditions to the younger generation and instil the spirit of community amongst us all. To that end, it is with love and great joy that we present to you, the first issue of ‘ISBUND’ on this ‘Froocsz’ day of ‘Navreh’. 

Navreh, the first day of the bright fortnight (Shukl pach) of ‘Chaitra’ (the 12th month of the Vikram era), also known as the first Navratra and celebrated throughout India is officially the new year for Kashmiris. Traditionally, on the eve of Navreh the daughter-in-law of the house would prepare the ‘Thaal’ which amongst other things, contained uncooked rice, salt, sugar or nabad, walnuts (one for each member of the family), a morsel of cooked rice, yoghurt, milk, mirror, pen, nechipatir (the new calendar), Kral pach (portrait of Goddess), seasonal flowers (traditionally almond blossom or daffodils), and some vai (herb) or grass, and a silver coin. These items on the Thaal represent abundance, progression, transformation, introspection and prosperity and herald the advent of good things to come. The Thaal is covered overnight and kept in the ‘Thokur kuth’ (prayer room) or ‘Tchoke’ (kitchen) and then viewed (Buth Wuchun) by every member of the family member before they see anything else on the morning of Navreh. The rice on the thaal is later served as ‘teher’ (yellow rice) and condiments consumed while the walnuts are then dropped into a stream or river as an auspicious offering.

The first issue of Isbund provides a little peek into our lives which for the last year has been hit by COVID-19. Most of us, some more than others, have been affected directly by it, be it on the frontline, juggling work with homeschooling and some of us have even battled the disease itself. This issue is a reflection of how we have lived during these times and offers some insight into what others have been up to and tips for our emotional and mental well-being. We introduce our very own authors, who took their writing to print during COVID, chat with our doctors in the NHS and celebrate our accomplishments. We know this has been an extraordinarily difficult time for children who in the main, have been exceptionally resilient and taken it in their own stride but how did the parents cope? Some better than others, I guess. So, we also added a guest blog from Anna Mathur, a Sunday Times bestselling author of 2020 with her take on ‘Guilt’. 

We hope you find this issue stimulating and entertaining and we would love to hear your feedback. Please do get in touch with us, details at the back of this newsletter. 

We will leave you with the traditional greetings of Navreh and we hope you enjoy reading this as much as we enjoyed compiling it.

Sount’ik vaavan Kul’aye
aleravith nave navreh
huk dutnei sadda
shushur chel’ravith
poshwaren manz
anuun bahaar 
Navreh Mubarak 
Aurzu Te Aay

Dr Sheetal Raina & Dr Shivani Dudha

Read the full issue here.