“Culture is not just something we inherit; it is something we live every day.”
Jammu’s cultural heritage is deeply rooted in Dogra traditions, history, and values. Folkdance like Kud dance, Heren dance, and singing reflect the emotions and stories of the land. These art forms were once an integral part of social gatherings, festivals, and celebrations. Today, however, they struggle for space amid digital entertainment and changing lifestyles. Cultural preservation efforts must focus on reviving these folk traditions through festivals, school programs, and community platforms.
Traditional crafts are another vital part of Jammu’s cultural identity. Basohli paintings, known for their bold colours and spiritual themes, and hand-crafted wooden and metal artefacts represent the artistic excellence of the region. Unfortunately, many artisans abandon these crafts due to low income and lack of recognition. Supporting local artisans through exhibitions, online marketplaces, and government initiatives can help keep these crafts alive while also providing sustainable livelihoods.
Language also plays a crucial role in cultural preservation. Dogri, spoken widely in Jammu, carries local wisdom, humour, and history. Encouraging its use in literature, theatre, music, and digital content can ensure that the language remains vibrant and relevant among the youth. When young people communicate in their mother tongue, they strengthen their emotional connection to their roots.
Religious and historical sites such as Bahu Fort, Raghunath Temple, and Mubarak Mandi Palace are living symbols of Jammu’s cultural past. Preserving these monuments is essential, not only for tourism but also for educating people about the region’s history. Conservation efforts should involve local communities so that heritage protection becomes a shared responsibility rather than an external task.
Youth participation is perhaps the most powerful tool for cultural preservation. When young individuals document oral histories, learn traditional music or dance, and share cultural content through social media, they become bridges between the past and the future. Modern technology, when used thoughtfully, can transform preservation into participation.
Cultural preservation in Jammu is not about resisting change but about carrying traditions forward with pride and purpose. When culture is preserved, communities remain connected to their roots while confidently stepping into the future. Jammu’s culture is a living heritage – it breathes through its people, their stories, and their traditions. By valuing and nurturing this heritage today, we ensure that tomorrow’s generations inherit not just land, but a rich cultural soul that continues to inspire and unite.
Niyati
Student, J&MS, JU
Department of Journalism & Media studies, Jammu University
Jammu’s culture lives in its language
Abhimanyu Verma
Founder of Aastral Insights, a Numerologist, and a Life Coach
Cultural preservation is a shared responsibility. By using digital storytelling to documenting local history, supporting artisans and folk artists, strengthening cultural education in schools, and taking pride in Dogra traditions, we can keep our heritage alive. Progress should not mean losing our roots. If the youth consciously act today, Jammu’s culture will not disappear-it will evolve, strengthen, and inspire future generations.
Ramnik Sharma
PhD Scholar, Sanskrit, JU
Educational Engagement
Gharana Wetlands
The wetlands of RS Pura, especially the Gharana Wetland, are an important part of Jammu’s natural and cultural heritage, closely linked with local livelihoods, biodiversity, and seasonal rhythms of life. These wetlands host thousands of migratory birds every year, making them living classrooms for environmental learning and eco-tourism. Youth can play a key role by documenting bird species, spreading awareness about wetland conservation through social media, organizing cleanliness and awareness drives, and promoting responsible bird-watching. By connecting local communities, students, and researchers, the youth can help ensure that wetlands are protected not just as ecological spaces but as symbols of Jammu’s harmony between nature and culture.
Anirudh Sharma
B.Tech. in Computer Science Engineering (YCET College, Akhnoor)
Educational institutions play an important role in preserving culture, and youth can actively contribute through workshops, seminars, and interactive sessions in schools and colleges focusing on Jammu’s history, folklore, traditions, and cultural values.
Youth volunteers and cultural clubs can organize storytelling sessions, folk music demonstrations, theatre performances, and heritage talks to make learning engaging. Such initiatives help students to respect their local culture from the young age. By integrating cultural education with extracurricular activities, youth-led programs ensure that Jammu’s traditions are not only remembered but also practiced and passed on to future generations.
Revival of Folk Arts and Crafts
Shubham Choudhary
Student, Journalism & Media Studies, JU
Young people play a crucial role in reviving Jammu’s rich folk arts and crafts by collaborating with local artisans and craft communities. Traditional art forms such as Basohli miniature paintings, phulkari embroidery, and wooden handicrafts are facing decline due to lack of market access and modern exposure. Youth can bridge this gap by organizing craft exhibitions, heritage fairs, and cultural workshops, where artisans get a platform to showcase their skills.
Start-ups & Creative Entrepreneurship
Arjun Singh
Student, Sociology, JU
Youth can contribute significantly to the preservation of Jammu’s cultural heritage by establishing culture-based start-ups and creative enterprises. Initiatives such as traditional food cafés, handicraft brands, handloom boutiques, and cultural merchandise help transform heritage into sustainable economic opportunities. By blending traditional knowledge with modern business models, young entrepreneurs can attract both locals and tourists. Such start-ups not only promote regional identity but also create employment for local artisans, craftsmen, and performers. Economic sustainability ensures that cultural practices are valued and continued, making entrepreneurship a powerful tool for cultural preservation and promotion.
Inter-Generational Interaction
Tamana Rajput
Student, Sociology, IGNOU, Bantalab
Inter-generational interaction plays a vital role in preserving Jammu’s cultural heritage. Youth can engage with elders, folk artists, historians, and traditional practitioners to learn about local customs, folklore, rituals, and life experiences. Through interviews, oral history projects, storytelling sessions, and documentation, traditional knowledge can be recorded and preserved. Such interaction not only strengthens cultural continuity but also builds respect between generations. By passing this knowledge to younger audiences through educational institutions and digital platforms, youth ensure that Jammu’s cultural legacy remains alive and relevant for future generations.
Collective Responsibility
Rizwan Ul Akram
Student, J&MS, JU
Youth-led heritage walks, temple awareness drives, and campaigns to protect the Old City can help reconnect people with their historical roots while creating a sense of collective responsibility. Supporting local art, crafts, and festivals through exhibitions, storytelling, and community events can provide artisans with recognition and economic dignity. When combined with modern tools such as digital archives, virtual tours, and cultural journalism, these efforts transform culture from a forgotten past into a shared, living identity. Ultimately, Jammu’s heritage will survive not through preservation alone, but through participation, pride, and continuous engagement by its younger generation.
The post Holding on to Heritage of Jammu appeared first on Daily Excelsior.