Srinagar, April 27 -- Kashmir once understood beauty as a form of intelligence.

Old homes in Srinagar combined craftsmanship with practical design. Carved walnut windows filtered light during winter afternoons. Courtyards created shared family spaces. Pherans reflected climate and culture at the same time. Wazwan represented hospitality through discipline and balance rather than excess. Public aesthetics grew from lived experience and cultural confidence.

A different culture now dominates much of the valley.

Giant concrete houses rise behind flashy gates and reflective glass. Wedding halls resemble film sets designed for drone footage and Instagram reels. Cafes copy Dubai interiors with artificial flowers, neon signs, and imported deco...