This is year 1961, 56 years ago (Dal was less polluted) , the Houseboat is in the midst of lotus plants and not garbage ,this water used to be fresh ,you can see it has visitors.
House boats upto late 1930's were allowed to moor only in Veath/Jehlum (mostly between Sonwar & 3rd Bridge) & Tchuntz Kul Chinar Bagh. They were allowed into Dal Lake only for Cruise that too after getting Permission from Mutimed Darbar. However from mid 1940's it was free far all.
Under Dogra Rulers non state subjects could not purchase any immovable property such as land in J&K. Most of Boat People in Kashmir despite having lived for generations in Kashmir were considered outsiders. For their lively hood and dwellings they developed novel residential boats called Dongas which they used for transportation as well.
A kashmiri Pandit trader named Pandit Narian Das who was amongst the first few graduates of Mission School had the novel idea of converting the Donga into well furnished House like Boat & named it "House Boat" It got very popular with European tourist to valley. Business of Pandit Narian Das flourished & by 1910 there were scores & scores of House Boats most of them manufactured by Pandit Narian Das who by then was nick named "NAV NARAN".
The senior people owe a lot to those teachers who taught them and most probably most have left this world . The teachers belonging from Kashmiri Pandits were particularly in forefront of past teaching community. 0ur tribute to all of them.
For Kashmiri pandits the food on such occasions was served in new earthen ware plates known as "TOOK".
Also food was cooked in Katrev Degh specially kaliya..... Except on Mekhal ceremony when non veg was not being cooked but after Mekhal was done then feast was served of pukmond ( pachaee) and rice of course.
It is a Very Historical Photograph taken by E. D. Tyndale Biscoe in May 1928, Showing guests being served lunch on the Occasion of the First ever Kashmiri Pandit Widow's Re-marriage. This marriage was possible after Herculean efforts of Teachers & Students of CMS School. Really a very Commendable task that too in that bygone era.
In past spending some days in Donga along with family, friends or neighbors was most common recreational activity for natives. They used to go Mughal gardens or religious places. But with time all of this went into oblivion.
When every thing was dependent on river water from transport to washing clothes and above all as drinking water.
An ideal place for gossiping. Good old days-simple life and simplicity galore...Nostalgia !
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