By Parwinder Sandhu
New Delhi, Feb 16 (.) Growing up near the frontier in Kashmir, the author and sociologist Suheel Rasool Mir says his surroundings were his first teacher.
“Though I live in a town close to the borderline, the distinct culture and lifestyle of the tribal communities and their life circumstances shaped my writing instincts and worldview,” he reflected, highlighting how geography and lived realities influenced his academic direction.
Over the past 12 years, Dr. Mir has immersed himself in ethnographic fieldwork across the tribal belts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, carving a niche at the intersection of tribes, borderlands and the sociology of ethnicity.
His body of work includes significant ethnographic contributions such as Voices Across the Pir Panjal, The Handbook of Dard Aryans, and Cultural Encyclopedia of Dard-Tribe. These publications focus on documenting the histories, cultures and lived traditions of indigenous tribes in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
“My research work led me to connect with tribal communities, which motivated me to further pursue my research. Hence, the constant engagement with and experience of the unique tribal culture during the course of my research influences my storytelling,” he said in an exclusive interview with ..
Balancing emotion with realism, especially while dealing with sensitive or conflict-driven themes, remains central to his writing. “The sociological insight gives me that balance—to coordinate emotions with realism and help me navigate intense or conflict-driven perspectives,” he explained.
While carving a space as an author from Kashmir posed challenges, Dr. Mir remained undeterred. “I surely come across the challenges. However, my enthusiasm and dedication towards research help me to go on,” he noted.
Explaining his thematic inclination, he said, “My belongingness to the folk and unexplored socio-cultural experiences of these tribal’s motivate me to explore these themes.” He believes such documentation is crucial at a time when the region is undergoing transformation.
His research, he said, “intends to provide an opportunity to all its readers to embrace the rich diversity of Jammu and Ladakh,” and he hopes his books will help “to document the indigenous cultures of J&K and Ladakh for future generations with the motive to preserve and provide the glimpses of old cultural heritage.”
Writing from a conflict-affected region carries its own responsibility. “More accurately as a researcher, I feel obliged to navigate the real situation of my people and through my writings, I am trying to manifest that only,” Dr. Mir asserted. “All my research work is based on empirical study. I only narrate whatever is currently happening in the tribal society, while coming up with the experiential stories and facts.”
Stating that as a sociologist, he consciously works to eliminate stereotypes, the author added, “Being a researcher of sociology, the primary task is to eliminate the stereotyping, the implication of participant observation gives me the confidence to present my in the light of reality.”
On the larger role of literature, Dr. Mir said, “History is witness to the fact that literature has influenced the nations and civilisation and it is only because of the honest efforts of the writers thatthe legacy of preserving truth still persists.”
He is currently working on a new project titled “Kashmir Through Villages; From Past to Present,” an ethnographic journey across Kashmiri villages. The work, he explained, aims to capture “the richness and diversity of Kashmiri traditions and plural ethos and history.” According to him, “In the villages of Kashmir, one can find a real glimpse of Kashmir,” and the project seeks to revisit “the age-old Kashmir legacy” through a socio-cultural and anthropological lens.
Looking ahead, Dr. Mir expresses openness to experimentation. “Surely, I will try to explore new genres and styles, in my research work; newness is acceptable and appreciated in academia,” he said.
. PWS .