New Delhi, Oct 12: Commodore DS Sodhi presented a paper titled “Divine Kashmir and its Syncretic Traditions” at a conference on “The Syncretic Traditions in the Subcontinent: Voices Past and Present,” organised by the India International Centre and the Dara Shikoh Centre for the Arts in New Delhi.
In his presentation, Sodhi highlighted how Kashmir’s syncretic traditions evolved through centuries of cultural interaction, with Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sufism, Rishism and Sikhism intersecting and influencing one another to shape the region’s composite heritage.
He said these traditions found expression in shared values, language, dress, music, architecture and shrine culture, contributing to Kashmir’s distinct cultural identity.
Tracing the region’s heritage from Kashmir Shaivism and Sufi mysticism to the philosophy of Kashmiriyat, Sodhi examined how these traditions sustained communal life and endured periods of conflict, including militancy and displacement.
He emphasised the significance of Kashmir’s shared spiritual and cultural heritage in fostering peace, harmony and social cohesion, particularly in the aftermath of difficult periods in the region’s history.
The paper presentation was preceded by a visual presentation titled around the divinity of Kashmir, featuring a journey through some of the region’s historic shrines and highlighting their spiritual and cultural significance.
