Upender Ambardar enriches people about cultural tradition and folklore of Kashmiri Pandits

The popular show #TheRightConversation of The Right News (TRN) today hosted yet another enriching talk show with Upender Ambardar in which Ambardar who is an authority on Oral Folklore of Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) delved in detail about the rich cultural tradition of Kashmiri Pandits particularly oral history that has been passed on from generation to generation in the community.

Upender Ambardar a well-known researcher, broadcaster, writer with passion for research-oriented writings on folklore, oral history and socio-cultural-religious traditions of Kashmir is an MSc in Botany, MA English, MA Kashmiri Literature, Diploma in Naturopathy and Yoga with specialization in social history and cultural traditions of Kashmiri Pandits spoke at length about the folklore and its connection with the religious-cultural tradition of Kashmiri Pandits. The show was hosted by Bharati Kaul.

It was a treat to listen to Ambardar and his explaining of various folklores and traditions of Kashmiri Pandits in which he explained that the Civilization, Culture and Folklore are the three important aspects of any society which is accumulated over thousands of years and established the richness of any society, community or religion.

The talk show was held in pure Kashmiri language and it was stressed that people must preserve and protect their cultural traditions and pass the knowledge whether in written or oral form to the next generation to keep culture and traditions alive so that the community remains alive.

He also stressed on the historical facts that might not be in written form but have been passed on from generation to generation orally and through memories and folklore.

Ambardar explained the prominence of Sharika Peeth at Hariparbat and why it is regarded as the highest place of KPs religious faith which is the only temple where SwayambooSrichakra exists.

He also explained the two types of religious places in Kashmir which are either in the ShilaRoop (Stone Shape) or Jal Roop (Water Sources).

Ambardar also described that all the top saints of Kashmir have achieved ‘Siddhi’ at Hariparbhat which is why it was called SedhPeeth.

He also delved in great length on Spiritualty, Shaivism, Vibrations, Waves. Shaivism, Tamsik and Satvik Bhogs at the temples of the same deity at different places in Kashmir.

Other topics Ambardar touched include Shankaracharya, its significance among KPs and Hinduism, Durga Kshetra, ShurahYaar (ShodasVihar) and how Mata Parvati was the presiding deity of every kitchen particularly among Kashmiri Pandits who offer Bhog to the Mata Annapurna in the shape of ‘Sanivear’ (Two small pots kept at a special place in every Kashmir Pandit Kitchen household.

The talk show was an inspiring interview with Ambardar which will go a long way to tell the rich past of Kashmiri Pandits to its next generation.