Kashmir Oral History
An archive of oral history of Kashmir, recorded in video, audio, and writing. Let the people speak.
About
Kashmir Oral History or KOH, as the name suggests, is an ongoing oral history project intended to acquire and archive oral narratives revolving around “Kashmir”. The oral narratives may be recorded in various formats (video, audio, text transcripts) and are collated here for the easy access of any person interested in oral history in general and Kashmir in particular.
Scope
The word Kashmir, as used here, does not indicate geography or ethnicity. It refers to the “Kashmir conflict” that has affected various peoples and territories that are not necessarily Kashmiri-speaking, nor confined within the eponymous valley of Kashmir in the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
KOH is aimed at archiving the “living memories” of any individual who has witnessed and experienced events related to the Kashmir conflict during any period of time. Therefore, KOH will not just archive witness accounts and personal experiences of all the state subjects of J&K, but also of other people — such as bureaucrats, employees of nationalised organisations, and migrant labourers — who have experienced events related to Kashmir during any period.
Ongoing collaboration
We intend to make this oral history project as representative as possible of all the shades of experience of all the people impacted by the Kashmir conflict. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to reach each person. Thanks to the internet, however, you can collaborate with us and send us your recordings — say, of yourself, your family, your neighbours, and your friends. If you wish to share an oral narrative (video or audio recording or a written account) of your personal experiences or of someone you know, we will be happy to upload it on the KOH website.
Let the people speak…
For submission guidelines, please visit the Submissions section.
For other ways of contributing, please visit the Volunteer section.
Founder & Collaborators
This self-initiated archive is founded in 2011 by Ajay Raina (Filmmaker, Academician) and is a collaboration with Sadaf Munshi (Academician)
Funding
The initial seed financing of the project was provided by the founder. The pilot project is funded by a USD 6,000 grant from Charn Uswachoke International Development Fund (University of North Texas).
Disclaimer: The promoters of Kashmir Oral History archives bear no responsibility for any inaccuracy of facts or opinions expressed by the narrators.
Kashmir Oral History 
This is the best which can be to clear the haze around the issue. I wish more and more people participate in this venture .Let us have separatists , pro Azadi camp here to reveal what their understanding about the issue ! This portal can bring a much needed change and clarity.
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Thank you for your comment.
As per KOH policy, we do not seek narratives of persons of any particular ideology. The interviews are conducted randomly, with no background or ideological check of the narrators. Also, KOH only records personal experiences and witness accounts and not political opinions.
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Great Article about kashmir …Really I Could Find anyother Stuff And real Meaning Of Kashmir Other Than Here
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Hi,
Just read your article on Kashmir files. Would say that agree with some of it and not with other parts.
I wanted to know if you raised any objections or missing info about Kashmiri pandits and their plight in the previous movies that came on this topic. Like Haider, Roja, etc…
And why there is so much negativity in articles like these on Kashmir files. Agree that some of the people in cinema are behaving as they should not but instead of trying to paint a positive, cathartic image and trying to hug our Kashmiri brothers and sisters at this moment and say sorry to them for not understanding their pain, why are we trying to hide the fact that we failed, a majority community in the valley failed to stand up for a minority community. They could have done it, as radicalisation happened within that community albeit to a small group of people.
But they should have raised their voices in support of the pandits, sikhs, Muslims who got affected by this tragedy.
Secondly is somebody pointing towards a way which ensures that the young kids of Kashmir do not get radicalised and the role of majority community in Kashmir to achieve that.
Because it’s not possible to completely seal the border with our naughty neighbor so that terrorists don’t come in and don’t radicalise the kids if the valley.
Thanks
Rahul
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