Disco Dance, Yath Sheher Gaamus, Tsyeh Koni Mandchaanai Chuk!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
The folks at Funkar would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has submitted such encouraging feedback on our CD Maenzraath. Many people have commented that they feel that the Kashmiri language is endangered and in need of protection. At times, it certainly does feel that this beautiful language, which connects us to our l iterary past and perhaps which holds the key to our artistic future, is bordering on extinction. This feeling becomes more pronounced when some of us expats travel to Kashmir, ony to discover that our nieces and nephews, who have never left Srinagar, feel inhibited speaking in Kashmiri, preferring to communicate instead in Urdu. When we watch television in Kashmir, we can find quality programming in Hindi/Urdu, English, and even Arabic and Farsi, but the Kashmiri productions, while they make do with the best available to them, are clearly underfunded.
So that some of us do not lose heart completely, we would like to share this clip with you of schoolboys in Kopwore (Kupwara) singing a light-hearted comic number, called "Disco Dance, Yath Sheher Gaamus, Tsyeh Koni Mandchaan Chuk" ("Disco dancing in every city and village, why aren't you ashamed of yourself?"). If you speak Kashmiri, you will understand the message that underpins the song. We have also included another video of young Kashmiri girls singing a song about their teacher and schoolwork. Even if you don't speak Kashmiri, you can appreciate how much fun these kids are having, singing in their native language and making those around them laugh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXEpf5bAhg0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA6RmqgrFs8
posted by Funkar International at