An Urgent Call to Kashmir: Extend Your Hand to Pranna Shangloo, a Forgotten Icon of Kashmiri Arts

By Samad Wani

Under the Shade of the Chinar: The Life and Struggles of Kashmir’s First Television Actress

Srinagar, November 11, 2024 — Sitting quietly beneath the sprawling branches of a Chinar tree on the banks of the Jhelum, 65-year-old Pranna Shangloo, once celebrated as Kashmir’s first television actress, reflects on a life filled with passion, struggle, and an enduring love for her craft. Today, this pioneering actress faces harsh realities, living with financial instability and the loneliness of being an artist forgotten by time. Her story, which is interwoven with the cultural fabric of Kashmir, is a humble call for support from the community she once inspired.

A Pioneering Spirit: Breaking Boundaries in Kashmiri Arts

Born in 1952 to a humble Kashmiri Pandit family, Pranna’s journey began in Kral Khud, Habba Kadal, and later took her to Women’s College on M.A. Road, where her love for acting flourished. In a time when societal norms placed constraints on female actors, Pranna was undeterred, pursuing her passion for acting from small school plays to the celebrated stages of Kashmir. Her breakthrough role in the critically acclaimed play Araam Haram Hai solidified her place in Kashmiri theatre and opened doors to opportunities with Radio Kashmir.

As her talent became known, Pranna found herself drawn into television and film, eventually taking roles in productions that allowed her to work alongside Bollywood greats like Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah. From her portrayal of Indira Gandhi in Heera Lal Pana Lal to her role in the television series Katha Sagar, she captivated audiences and carved out a name for herself as a beloved figure in the arts. Her passion for performance was unwavering, and her success was a shared achievement, supported steadfastly by her husband and family.

The Struggles of a Resilient Woman

However, Pranna’s life took a turn with financial challenges that grew after her husband’s retirement and worsened as her son faced difficulty in securing stable employment. The vibrant opportunities of her earlier career faded, leaving her to rely on modest tutoring earnings and the kindness of a few loyal friends and neighbors. Today, she lives in a small rented home in Chadoora, surviving on an income of around 1000 rupees a month. Her story reflects the often-overlooked struggles of artists who have given their lives to cultural preservation but find themselves in hardship as they age.

The turmoil of the 1990s added further weight to her life. While many Kashmiri Pandit families left the valley seeking security, Pranna and her husband chose to stay, believing in the unity of their community. Their Muslim neighbors supported them, standing by their side during difficult times. However, her life grew lonelier after her husband passed away in 2009, and with her son moving outside Kashmir for employment, Pranna now faces her challenges alone.

A Call for Help from the Heart of Kashmir

Today, Pranna Shangloo’s circumstances are a poignant reminder of the forgotten artists who shaped Kashmir’s cultural heritage. Director of Doordarshan Srinagar, Shabir Mujahid, has expressed a desire to assist her, yet her daily life remains marked by financial hardship and emotional isolation. Pranna’s spiritual visits to the Syed Yaqoob Sahib Shrine in Sonwar offer her a source of solace, but her physical and financial needs remain urgent.

Pranna’s story is not just a personal narrative; it reflects the shared heritage and untold struggles of many artists who once graced the stage but now live in obscurity. Her contributions to Kashmiri art and culture are invaluable, and she now needs the community’s support to live her final years with dignity and comfort.

If her story resonates with you, consider reaching out. A little help can go a long way toward honoring her legacy and ensuring she is not left behind by the very culture she once helped to illuminate. Let us come together to support Pranna Shangloo, a true artist and pioneer of Kashmir, who still holds onto her dreams under the same Chinar trees that once witnessed her ascent in the world of performance.