Reaffirming Jammu and Kashmir’s deep-rooted place in India’s cultural, spiritual, and philosophical heritage, a film and coffee table book titled ‘Sanskriti: Jammu & Kashmir’ was formally launched at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi. Organised by the Media Centre of IGNCA, the event underscored the region’s enduring civilisational legacy, often overshadowed in contemporary discourse by narratives of conflict.
Produced by IGNCA, the film is written and co-produced by Mr. Rajan Khanna, and directed and edited by Shivansh Khanna.
Cultural Heritage as a Living Lighthouse
Presiding over the programme, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA, described Sanskriti: Jammu & Kashmir as a “lighthouse” standing tall amid sustained attempts to distort history and erase traditional belief systems. He noted that filming at several locations featured in the documentary was exceptionally challenging due to difficult terrain and restricted access, making the captured visuals rare and significant.
Dr. Joshi emphasised that the film serves as an important bridge for younger generations who seek to understand the authentic history of Jammu and Kashmir but may not have access to credible narratives. He also suggested wider dissemination of powerful visuals from the film—particularly of ancient temples—through short digital reels to increase public engagement and outreach.
Panel Discussion: Reclaiming Civilisational Memory
A thought-provoking panel discussion on ‘Sanskriti: Jammu & Kashmir’ followed the screening, featuring Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Mr. Rajan Khanna, and senior writer and broadcaster Mr. Gaurishankar Raina. The discussion focused on the importance of reclaiming cultural narratives through rigorous research and visual storytelling.
Kashmir’s Connection to the Rigveda and Ancient India
Speaking at the event, Mr. Rajan Khanna articulated the inseparable relationship between nation, culture, and geography, likening it to the bond between body and soul. He remarked that while the body is perishable, culture and nationhood are eternal.
Describing India as a bouquet of diverse cultural expressions, Mr. Khanna highlighted Jammu and Kashmir as a distinct and profound embodiment of spirituality, history, and philosophical thought. He asserted that Kashmir is deeply connected to the Rigveda, and that its ancient cities—such as Anantnag, considered among the world’s oldest—are testimony to a civilisation spanning over 10,000 years.
He questioned why mainstream discourse often restricts Kashmir’s history to select medieval periods or focuses disproportionately on terrorism and conflict, ignoring its vast civilisational continuum. He cautioned that neglecting this foundational heritage would be a disservice not only to the past but also to future generations.
Challenges of Documenting Cultural History
Mr. Gaurishankar Raina highlighted the immense challenges involved in producing films on temples and cultural heritage. He noted that such projects demand extensive research, multiple permissions, and physical endurance, particularly in remote and sensitive regions. In the digital age, he stressed, cinema remains a powerful medium for conveying layered and meaningful narratives that might otherwise remain inaccessible.
IGNCA’s Role in Restoring Cultural Narratives
In his inaugural address, Mr. Anurag Punetha, Controller of the Media Centre, IGNCA, emphasised that for decades Jammu and Kashmir has largely been portrayed as a conflict zone. He stated that Sanskriti: Jammu & Kashmir is a conscious effort to restore balance to that narrative by foregrounding the region’s architectural, spiritual, and cultural heritage—elements that remain embedded in India’s collective memory.
He warned that societies which forget their heritage face deep cultural crises and described the film as a sincere attempt to revive and preserve this shared inheritance. The programme was moderated by Mr. Narendra Singh from the Media Centre.
About the Film: A Cinematic Rediscovery
Set against the majestic landscapes of Jammu and Kashmir, ‘Sanskriti: Jammu & Kashmir’ opens with a contemplative reflection on the region’s ancient spiritual consciousness. Drawing from Kalhana’s ‘Rajatarangini’, which describes Kashmir as a land once adorned with innumerable temples, the film documents both surviving structures and ruins that silently bear witness to history.
The documentary highlights:
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The revival of temples and sacred sites under Sikh and Dogra rulers
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The philosophical legacy of the Fourth Buddhist Council at Harwan Monastery, Srinagar
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The Sikh spiritual tradition associated with Guru Hargobind Ji
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Lesser-known shrines and traditions, from Mamleshwar Temple in Pahalgam to forgotten sites around Gulmarg and the historic temples of Jammu
Through evocative visuals and thoughtful narration, the film invites audiences to reconnect with a long-suppressed cultural and spiritual narrative, presenting Jammu and Kashmir as a land where history, devotion, and cultural continuity converge.
Conclusion
Sanskriti: Jammu & Kashmir emerges as a significant cultural intervention—one that seeks to reclaim and reassert the region’s civilisational identity beyond the confines of conflict-driven narratives. By documenting its spiritual, philosophical, and architectural legacy, the film reinforces the enduring relevance of Jammu and Kashmir within India’s cultural imagination and offers a powerful reminder of the need to preserve historical memory for generations to come.
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Source: PIB
