Bimla Aima, renowned writer in Hindi and Kashmiri languages and a retired banker talks about the concept of Wanvun and its importance in Kashmiri social life
#ThePagahConversation with Bimla Aima, on preservation and propagation of “Wanvun” among new generation of Kashmiri Pandits to keep cultural heritage alive.
Jammu, Jun 23, 2022: Bimla Aima, renowned writer in Hindi and Kashmiri languages and a retired banker talks about the concept of Wanvun and its importance in Kashmiri social life In our series of #ThePagahConversation Bimla Aima talks to Bharti Kaul on preservation and propagation of “Wanvun” among new generation of Kashmiri Pandits to keep cultural heritage alive. Bimla Aima who has published two books and is keen observer and commentator on Kashmiri language says that whatever sang in rhythm consisting of two lines each is called Wanvun.
Bimla Aima says that it is our ritual or Sanskar that we have been carrying forward by singing Wanvun on some auspicious occasion and to express our inner happiness on that particular event. She says the Wanvun is mostly sung by ladies of the house and invokes Gods to shower their blessings on that particular auspicious occasion for peace, progress and calm culmination of the event.
Giving an example of the beginning of the event of Janeu Dharan (Yagno Pavit) event called ‘Mekhal’ when the Brahman (The priest) begins Kalash Pooja, the ladies of the family invoke Gods with this couplet “Aavahan karukh brhamalookas tai, Brahama, Vinshnu, Sadashiv, heth aav; Seat resh yeti beeth veed parans tai, devta aaye posh dastey heth”; which means that Gods are invited from Brahmlok, from where Brahma Ji, Vishnu Ji and Sadashiv are coming with Rishis reciting Vedas and Devtas carrying flowers to bless the family.
Bimla Aima says that these Sanskars are given to us by our Shastras to recite these as rituals on important occasions in which all the ladies of the clan and neighbourhood join to invoke Gods. She says when Wanvun is recited with religious faith it brings calmness and peace to mind and the house.
She feels that these rituals must be carried forward by involving our younger generation and telling them the importance of the Wanvun and its rituals which are directly linked to our Shastras and brings peace to the family.
She says that Wavun must be sung in the style and rhythm that has been its original corner stone adding merely singing on Tumbaknaer without rhyme and religious dedication it will lose its sheen and the power to bring peace and progress to the family.
To preserve this Wanvun Bimla Aima says the most important thing is to learn Kashmiri language and we must start speaking Kashmiri language with our children and grand children as if the language is lost then our whole cultural heritage is lost.
To watch the full interview of Bimla Aima please click the video link above.
