Opinion | Pheran on Clock Tower: A symbol of Kashmir’s Culture and Heritage

With the dawn of winter in Kashmir as everything gets covered under the beautiful white layer of snow, a teeth-chattering cold also takes its hold on to the whole valley. Layering clothes on top of each other still feels incomplete unless we wear a Pheran. A Pheran is a long robe, that stands still, is loosely stitched and can be worn over many different layers of clothes. The combination of Pheran with Kangri (Heat pot) is an individual and a self working heating unit of every Kashmiri.

Pheran has been the part of Kashmiri culture and heritage for a long period of time. The Pheran’s name and design is said to be originated from Persia (16th-18th Century) from a word Paiarahan literally meaning a garment or a robe. Over time Pheran became synonymous with Kashmiri culture. Pheran is an embodiment a display of Kashmir’s artistry and craftsmanship. Being a unisex garment, over time the way Pheran is worn and stitched has changed, there are over ten different variations of Pheran now. Pheran’s worn by women have different types of Patchwork done on them like Tilla, Zari and Sozni.
The recent CGI video of Draping Pheran over the Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) of Lal Chowk, Srinagar that took the internet by the storm is an intersection of growth, development and culture. The motivations of the video exceed far beyond than just a fun-intresting video, it’s a homage to our rich culture, tradition and heritage. Ghanta Ghar that has become a tourist destination for photography is often adorned with lights and admired by everyone who visits, by putting a Pheran over it is a metaphorical way of signifying that it needs warmth to protect from the cold relating it with locals, which helps the tourist who come visit to understand and share the experience of the locals too.
With the advent of modernization and globalization it’s often seen that we tend to forget our history and where we come from, or where we belong. By draping a Pheran over The Tall Standing clock tower, it helps us connect with our roots. Since the location of Ghanta Ghar has a political background it’s sometimes seen as a colonial and administrative structure, by putting a fabric of culture on it helps in the de-alienising of it. The video might also have aimed to draw attention to the importance of cultural preservation in a region often caught in political turmoil. It acted as a reminder that cultural identity transcends political boundaries.
The CGI video is an artistic masterpiece, a form of expression that also highlights the warmth, a unique and a standing-out characteristics of a Kashmiri. It’s a known fact all around the globe that Kashmiris have an inherent qualities of nurturing, care and hospitality, traits that makes a human being full, and those around them feel a sense of warmth. The video is a call to Protect and revive the heritage in the era of modernization and allowing younger generations to connect with their roots.
In conclusion, the Pheran stands as a symbol of Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage, resilience, and warmth. The CGI video draping the iconic Ghanta Ghar with a Pheran serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving tradition in an era dominated by modernization and globalization. It intertwines art, culture, and history, sparking conversations about identity, unity, and belonging. As Kashmir continues to evolve, it is crucial to cherish and uphold these timeless symbols that connect its people to their roots and narrate the story of a unique and vibrant culture to the world.
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