Article by Ain Wani
We Kashmiris have a huge appetite, not just for food, also for love. Here are 8 exclusively Kaeshir ways of expressing love:
- ‘The Kaeshir Maazrat’ and ‘Khaetir’ (The Kashmiri Hospitality) has always been praised and talked about. We measure our love in terms of our abilities to feed people. When you’re a guest in a Kashmiri household, don’t be surprised if you see the host insisting on eating almost everything there is to offer and lots of it.
Caution: You’ll also be sworn into eating! Just surrender! (Na na na myoni marun chu, yi pae khyon)
2. Kashmiris have their own versions of ‘Honey’ ‘Sugarplum’ and ‘Sweetheart’s. They get replaced by ‘hish’, ‘yepaer haz’, ‘bozan chukaz”. And it may seem a bit conservative, but it’s adorable nonetheless. At least we as kids love teasing our parents for this particular thing!
3. The Kashmiri songs are very romantic and beautiful! They’re often sung at local weddings. There is ‘Roshe walla myaani dilbaro’ (Addressing to an upset lover),’ Maayé chaani rovum’ is my personal favorite and there are also peppy and funny ones like: “Dupté nyunum Dal ki waavno”
4. Some expressions are best expressed in Kashmiri! Some of these are: Zu vandai (I offer you my life/I could give you my life!) – Lagyi balai (May all your troubles be mine!) – Not to forget the ‘jigars’ and the ‘jaans’ ! There is no substitute for these expressions in any other language.
