PROJECT ZUV
Aims to interview, document and collect, till every last word said is captured
“Gar firdaus bar-rue zamin ast, hami asto, hamin asto, hamin ast”
~ Amir Khusrau.
Kashmir is a beautiful valley in the northern most part of Indian subcontinent. The higher regions are covered by Pir Panjal, Karakoram, inner Himalayan ranges of mountains. The beauty of this valley is eclipsed by a history of violence and displacement. The Kashmiri Pandit community is now rendered lost. The community now resides in various parts of the world, disconnected, lost from their land.
It has been 34 years since the exodus, many Kashmiris have settled within their new lives in areas far away from home. However, not everyone in the community has been as fortunate as some. Many Kashmiris still lament in refugee camps in Jammu with poor living conditions, no educational opportunities, and a lack of basic amenities.
Like any displaced community, Kashmiri Pandits have faced the struggles of learning new ways of life while holding on to the culture and traditions of their life in Kashmir. With every passing generation, the struggle of preserving our past and ultimately ourselves has only been growing.
WELCOME TO PROJECT ZUV
Zuv, is a project dedicated to preserving the soul of Kashmir— its culture, history, heritage, and spirit. The Kashmiri word “Zuv” translates to “soul” or “my beloved”, echoing the sentiment every Kashmiri holds for this land. For those displaced and from Kashmir, there exists an unending desire to remain connected with their roots, a certain yearning that transcends generations. Central to Project Zuv is the creation of a repository of Kashmiri Pandit Oral Histories. This archive aims to act as a guardian of these precious accounts, ensuring that the voices of those who have lived through these tumultuous times are immortalised through documentation.