Ehsan Fazili/Srinagar

As Chilla-i-Kalaan, the harshest phase of winter in Kashmir, enters the last quarter of its life this season, it seems to have been kind enough in its intensity as compared to the last two seasons, when the lowest temperatures touched many notches lower than this year's.

The 40-day  Chilla-i-Kalaan (meaning the big chill) began on December 21 and comes to an end by the end of January. It’s followed by 20-day Chillai Khurd (the small Chill) and 10-day Chilla Baccha (the chill in its infancy).

For centuries people in the valley have been traditionally preparing for the winter months by stocking foodgrains, dried vegetables, winter clothing, firewood, charcoal for use in Kangris (portable firepot made of earthen pot covered with wicker). Disruption in electric and water supplies and also the road conditions make life difficult for the common people in Kashmir.

“Compared to last year, winter this year hasn't been harsh thus far.” This post on Facebook by Kashmir evoked a lot of responses of relief yet some netizens asked Kashmiris not to celebrate too early as  Chilla-i-Kalaan could anytime show its harsh face.”

A young artist takes n the stage by storm in Srinagar

"Let’s not appreciate it ( Chilla-i-Kalaan) as early; it can turn ugly any time.” one of the comments on the post read.

“Many are so frustrated due to less snowfall, this year,” reads another comment. The comments not only related to  Chilla-i-Kalaan, but also to the ongoing spike in the Covid-19 cases amid the third wave. 

“Chillai Kalaan is in quarantine, Corona spreading very very fast”, reads another comment on the same post. 

While the common man in Kashmir prepares for winter months in advance, there are efforts at different levels-the administrative and business sector-regarding the measures to battle the winter vagaries. 

Young musicians enthralled the audience in Srinagar

Over the past many years, the youth have started hosting entertainment programmes to beat the gloom and harshness of the season. This has led to the lessening of fears among people.

For the second consecutive year, the ACT (Actors’ Creative Theatre) held “Istaqbaal e Chila e Kalaan,” a (welcome) festival of music, dance, and drama that was conducted for three days last week in Srinagar’s Tagore Hall. 

The audience mostly students responded with enthusiasm even as the minimum temperature touched minus 6 degrees in Srinagar and minus 10 degrees in the tourist spots of Gulmarg and Pahalgam. 

“The aim is to bring people out of the fear of Chillai Kalaan, as is being projected on social media," Mushtaque Ali Ahmad Khan, Creative Director of ACT told Awaz-the Voice. “We initiated the first of its kind of “cultural program”, in December 2020. “One of the main purposes of this programme is to keep the performing arts alive even in the harsh winter,” he added.

The audience enjoying performances of young artists

He said that the ACT also intends to hold festivals in spring, summer, and autumn to link cultural activities with the seasons of Kashmir. “The ultimate goal is promoting the positivity about Kashmir. This is going to help promote Tourism also”, he added.

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Kashmir valley has witnessed four spells of bad weather this season, due to the Western disturbances, as all the eyes remain set on the announcement of Meteorological Department head Director Sonam Lotus. Lotus has become quite a famous name in Kashmir due to the department’s accurate predictions on daily weather.