We should not abandon such practices of cultural importance but revive and preserve these from generation to generation

In the bewitching of Kashmir Valley, paddy harvesting normally starts in September and lasts till the end of October. It is a fascinating period which promptly changes our attitude due to the impending season of paddy crops. We get ready to visit our fields by checking the maturity of paddy stalks which have either reached at harvesting stage or may take some more days. There is hustle and bustle on the roads as everyone is engaged in discussing paddy harvesting.
Firstly, we start with our journey by visiting local blacksmiths to get hand tools repaired which are used for cutting. Harvesting is a time-consuming process which needs collective effort rather than a single man’s individual capacity. Working together is very important in paddy fields as this work seems a little cumbersome. Children at a young age move into paddy fields with their parents. At the time of harvesting, they fetch water and Lipton tea for their family members. Paddy harvesting is the primary step which takes two or three days. Weather condition is one of the factors which play a significant role in harvesting. In this crucial phase, we often check weather updates by searching on Google. Many are desperately following Sonum Lotus’s weather-related predictions so that the harvesting will be done safely. There are many steps included in paddy harvesting which follow one after another. These are as under:
1. Harvesting and harvesters: Paddy harvesting has been considered a good practice in Kashmir. Those who have good harvesting skills are being praised by all and their names are on everyone’s lips. It needs well-trained harvesters who could easily do the job. It takes two or three days in a row depending on the availability of harvesters and the weather conditions. Here in Kashmir, we have been doing paddy practices on our own for a quite long period but the scenario has changed now from the last six years. We only see the outsiders now in our paddy fields doing their work as it is said that they work calmly without wasting much time but many in Kashmir still love to do paddy harvesting with their family members as they consider it like a traditional practice which has been going on since a long time. Small and big farmers have the same apprehensions these days by searching for harvesters from shop to shop in order to finish the work in time as long waiting may create some trouble in the harvesting phase. Our new generation is little interested towards paddy chores as they give the least preference to it. It is our ethical responsibility to make them understand the need and importance of doing such practices. At least one should not miss the opportunity to do paddy chores with the family.
2. Knotting: This step is followed after harvesting. Everyone says this is one of the most difficult steps in the entire process. One should know how to knot then it seems quite an easy task. As we are little experts in this field because we have been trained by our elders. Outsiders have different styles of knotting to make paddy stalks. They take a short time but make big paddy stalks which creates difficulty during threshing. This process takes the same time as harvesting; men of high experience would fit for this job. There is one word in Kashmiri for this process, knot strongly but small so that it will not get loosened in threshing. Small and big knotting always remains a public talk among big farmers as big knotting means when we make big paddy stalks and likewise small knotting, making small paddy stalks which will be threshed easily.
3. Collecting paddy stalks for making pyramid-like structures: This is the third step in which we collect paddy stalks from our fields and normally the number may increase in making these structures depending on the area under paddy. These pyramid-like structures have a beautiful appearance in paddy fields. Many are well-trained, particularly our elders who are making these structures. Family members are ready to help in collecting paddy stalks. One man is enough to make them erect but he should be well trained. Our Kashmiri women leave no stone unturned in making these structures. Everyone should learn from elders about this work. It is possible then when we will do work with them in paddy fields. Such practices we can only learn from our elders.
4. Threshing and Winnowing: Threshing is the final stage which marks the end of the paddy journey of small and big farmers. Everyone enjoys beating paddy stalks on drums or wooden sloping structures. It is three to four hours of continuous activity which can’t be delayed for the next few days. Young children also like to participate in this activity. They enjoy threshing paddy stalks only to support their family. Myriad of special cuisines are prepared on this day for paddy threshers. Mostly cuisines such as mutton and onion, cheese and tomato, curd and mutton (Yakhen), egg and pulses, and high-class sauces are made (salad). After the completion of threshing, sacks are being brought forward for collecting the paddy grains. Winnowing is the last part of threshing in which two men take an old blanket to remove out the husk from grains.
Conclusion: Paddy harvesting is considered a beautiful traditional practice as it depicts our pristine cultural identity and legacy of the past. Many are still doing this work passionately along with their family just to make a perfect alignment with it both culturally as well as traditionally. We should not abandon such practices which have cultural importance but should be committed to reviving and preserving them from generation to generation. Indeed, it is a commendable job if we make our young generation aware of such unique gifts which have been passed from our ancestors.
The writer is a teacher and can be reached at [email protected]

Mudasir Ali