Bait ul Meeras is an effort to make younger generation aware & conscious of their rich culture. In today’s highly connected world, the youth ambassadors travel and meet people around the globe. Therefore, they should be in a better place to explain and define the place they belong to.

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Why this initiative:

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Kashmir has more to it than meets the eye. Apart from being world famous for its lofty snow-clad mountains, the fresh water streams, the natural meadows and its flora and fauna. It is also an old civilization. The main city Srinagar that has retained the name since it was built around 6th century AD.

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Through centuries it has handed over the customs, traditions, the language from one generation to another. During the course of its existence it has also absorbed cultures, arts & crafts and religious influences from travelers who crossed the high mountain passes to have glimpse of the beautiful vale and some them settled here only for the rest of their lives.

So Bait ul Meeras is an effort to make younger generation aware and conscious of their rich culture. In this highly connected world in which we live now as the youth ambassadors travel and meet their counterparts around the globe, they should be in a better position to explain and define them the place they belong to.

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Each Kashmiri is like an artisan who is patient and focused weaving a magic with their hands and fingers on soft fabrics, and creating unique designs and patterns. Thus these arts & crafts have built our temperament, given us unique identity and a reason for our mannerism and etiquettes.

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Inside of Bait-ul-Meeras:-

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Sheher-Khass is a hub of artisans who have inherited the art from their fore-fathers. Bait-ul-Meeras acts as a perfect platform for these artisans. The idea is to develop a learning centre of arts & crafts at Bait-ul-Meeras. The interested women can learn and perfect the skills in traditional kashmiri arts & crafts like ari & sozni, pashmina wool-spinning and carpet weaving for boys. Traditional weaving looms called “waan” in Kashmiri have been set up for carpet weaving and shawl weaving like Kani shawls and pashmina Shawls. One can also find “yender” “spinning wheel in kashmiri”. In yesteryears these yenders used to be the symbol of empowerment for the women, who wove the success stories of their families on these yenders and thus lifted their families out of poverty traps. 

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1. Gallery

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Gallery is the core and the main attraction of Bait ul Meeras. The Gallery will aim at recollection of arts and aesthetics of bygone era in Kashmir and also revival of crafts that are slowly fading from the cultural landscape. The timing of launch coincided with UNESCO adding the Srinagar city to “The Creative Cities Network 2021 list”. This is a well deserved distinction for the Srinagar city having being founded in 3rd century BC by Ashoka, the great Buddhist king. Thus the Gallery at Bait ul Meras is an effort of HELP Foundation to preserve the rich traditions, arts & heritages of Kashmir that was inherited since the journey began in since then and then the central Asianfor the younger generation.

The Gallery showcases artifacts, traditional dresses & sandals, artistic items, jewellery, utensils and musical instruments that were used in the past but are raely seen or used anymore. It will also showcase rare and privately owned manuscripts from the region for display. The Gallery will also hold art exhibitions from time to time that depict life and culture of kashmir.

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2. Manuscript Section:

 

Baitul Meeras also houses a collection of handwritten manuscripts, old books, diaries, documents, and other belongings of Khwaja Mohammad Amin Darab, a prominent Persian poet of Kashmir. His works, including chronograms and calligraphy, hold immense historical value and provide insights into Kashmiri literary traditions. The manuscripts also include writings related to Tahir Ghani, another legendary poet of Kashmir. This section serves as a precious resource for scholars and researchers interested in Persian literature and Kashmir’s literary heritage.

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3.Theatre Hall and Creative Arts:

 

HELP Foundation has successfully reached out to over 17,000 students through its children’s theatre and creative writing workshops Help Foundation’s efforts have made a profound impact on the lives of children and families in Jammu and Kashmir. Through its focus on theater and creative arts, Baitul Meeras has not only provided a platform for emotional healing but has also fostered personal growth and social empowerment. By harnessing the transformative power of theater, the foundation has helped children cope with trauma while building resilience. These initiatives aim to empower children emotionally and socially, particularly those affected by adverse experiences. Continuing this tradition, Baitul Meeras regularly hosts theater, creative writing, and communication skills workshops, which promote artistic expression, personal growth, and emotional well-being. The workshops also play a key role in developing participants' public speaking abilities and boosting their confidence. A noteworthy example is the Titliyan workshop on creative writing and communication skills, conducted by Mudit Shrivastava, a prominent figure in the field, which was a significant event for all involved.

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4. The Shehjar Library: -

 

(An initiative of Help Foundation) its offshoots at Bait Ul Meeras  boast an extensive and diverse collection of books, catering to a wide range of interests and age groups. For those seeking spiritual knowledge, the library offers a variety of religious books, while children can enjoy an engaging selection of storybooks and comics. Literature enthusiasts can explore a rich assortment of novels, fiction, and poetry, alongside history books that provide valuable insights into past events and cultures. The library also supports academic and professional growth with resources tailored for civil services preparation. Additionally, a wide range of general Urdu books enriches the collection, complemented by an impressive array of works in English, French, German, and Italian, making the library a true center for cultural, intellectual, and linguistic exploration and growth.

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