Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Jan 24 : Heavy snowfall has transformed the Kashmir Valley into a winter wonderland and, more importantly, revived a cherished tradition many feared was fading—the simple joy of building snowmen and sculptures.
After a prolonged dry spell, Friday’s snowfall blanketed towns and villages in white, prompting children across Kashmir to rush outdoors. Gardens and streets became impromptu studios where kids rolled, patted, and sculpted snow into creative figures, with the classic snowman remaining the most popular.
The scenes have sparked nostalgia among many adults. Speaking to Kashmir Convener, Firdousa Akhter, a lecturer at a north Kashmir college, recalled, “Whenever it snows, children instantly get up with joy and start making models from snow.” Reflecting on how the tradition has evolved, she said, “In our time, we would have tuition at home in winter, but whenever it snowed, everyone would collectively build snowmen. A prize of ₹5—a big amount then—was given to whoever made the best one. That level of excitement is seen less in children today.”
Bashir Ahmad, a private school teacher, stated that students have been enthusiastically sending pictures of their snow creations to the school. “Children still have that excitement whenever it snows. They make something and send it to the school admin. We feel good sharing it on the school page; it gives them happiness and inspires others,” he said. Nostalgically, he added, “This is something we in Kashmir have done forever. How beautiful those days were. I wish we could return to that stage.”
Noor ul Haq, an administrator at a private school, said, “Being born in the late ’80s, snow always brought cheer to my face. I still remember how heavy snowfall would make it impossible to see what lay on the other side of the road while visiting the local tuition centre. Elderly people would carefully make their way through the snow, clearing paths for children and women.”
“‘Sheen Jung’ (snow fight) was our favourite sport in those days,” he said. “On the way to and from tuition centres, snowballs would fly around, turning everything into fun and laughter. We would also make snowmen, using a carrot for the nose and coal from the kangri for the eyes. Near the thatched roofs, snow would pile up into huge heaps, and we would slide down them using polythene sheets. To be honest, that was akin to skiing at Gulmarg. Snow was truly a blessing in childhood—red cheeks, numb fingers, and rosy noses, but hearts full of joy. I don’t think children of this age will ever witness those moments again due to environmental issues and increasingly warmer seasons.”
Saika Akther, a retired schoolteacher from Baramulla, said the changing climate but finds hope in the renewed activity. “The snow is thinner now, and it doesn’t stay as long. In our youth, the snow would be waist-deep by December, and we’d build snow forts that lasted for weeks,” she said. “But seeing these children outside, their hands red with cold, moulding snow with the same joy—it tells me the spirit of our winters is not lost. It was sleeping, and now it has woken up again.”
Misra Ji, a well-known social activist, told Kashmir Convener, “The smell of kahwa brewing, the sound of snow crunching underfoot, and laughter echoing in the lanes—that was our winter symphony. We would collect snow in pots to save for the next day’s fun because the joy wasn’t meant to melt away so quickly. Today’s children have phones to capture the moment, but we had to hold it in our hearts.”
Social media platforms, especially Facebook and Instagram, have been buzzing since Friday with parents and schools sharing delightful pictures and videos of intricate snowmen, snow animals, and other icy artworks.
Notably, the resurgence of this activity highlights more than just play; it represents a reconnection with a cultural winter ritual that many felt was dimming due to changing weather patterns and lifestyles.
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