The Tiger Ladies

A beautifully written book of the Kashmir valley before the invasion of the Mujahadin and other Muslim terrorist actions from outside the peaceful valley of peaceful coexistence amongst the Kashmiri Hindus and Kashmiri Muslims. Ms. Koul, a former Indian majistrate with a Masters in Political Science from India writes a book for her children to learn of the beautiful life in Kashmir where young soon to be bethrothed women view Pashmina wool embroidered shawl samples dating back 100 years. The samples are easily viewed and ordered from the Kashmiri Muslim merchant who then continues the Pashmina relationship with the daughter or granddaughter's trousseau. Ms. Koul effectly evokes a resplendant memoir without the heavy hand of serious political analysis which tends to be dry and flacid. A life too beautiful, too luscious, too happy, too comfortable to notice the cloak of darkness that would envelope paradise. After attending her reading and purchasing Tiger Ladies, I am excited to add it to my collection of important soul books: The Red Tent, Woman Warrier, Autobiography of a Yogi and Facing Two Ways. Kashmir may be a memory of what once existed in a valley of Lotus eaters yet Ms. Koul's book concludes with a simile in the complacency of life in the US where life too is too comfortable, too beautiful, and perhaps too happy for Americans. (Incidentally written before 9.11.2001.) Which perhaps helps us to realize that there is yet another cloak of darkness enveloping us called American corporate imperialism ...product invasion via Hollywood, gasoline consumption, mass consumerism of junk products, junk food, junk tv, junk religion, junk politicians and the reaction against it by the Mujahadins of the Muslim world. Now in paperback form, this book is a respite from the propaganda on evening news in America.

As a 25 year old U.S. citizen I had heard of Kashmir and was vaguely aware of its history and troubles. What I wasn't aware of, was what it meant to be Kashmiri or to live in Kashmir. I was not aware of the way of life that was lost in the recent violence. In Ms. Koul's book, she illuminates the valley between India and Pakistan. I must admit I was a bit jealous while reading through it. Ms. Koul writes about Kashmir's physical beauty, its strong, albeit vastly different, family structure and of her almost blissful childhood among Hindus and Muslims. It makes me angry and sad that this way of life was cut short. I think Ms. Koul, by simply sharing her life with us, has written a pure book. That is to mean, it is without a political agenda. But these pure books seem to convey more than their dry political counterparts which often leave the reader disillusioned or indifferent. This book left me strongly wanting a peaceful resolution to a conflict on the other side of the world having little to do with me on a personal level. That is hard to do.

An intimate story of growing up in Kashmir - more precisely - in the Vale of Kashmir, the nearest thing to paradise on earth, in the words of a past Muslim conqueror of India. I could not put this book down from start to finish. Marvelous details of family life and the politics/history of Indian partition and conflict are woven together with a quiet passion that only a genuine love for one's homeland can inspire. The writer towards the end appears resigned and fatalistic. The betrayal by the young of the promise of paradise, of ideals that had been shared by both Hindus and Muslim Kashmiris for centuries - leaves a shattered heart. What comes across though is still a perhaps unintended message of hope - because with great detail and candor - the author does describe the Paradise that nourished her, the memories that sustain her in her new found home in America. This is a must read for all South Asians who care about Kashmir and its hope of a peaceful future.

Against the backdrop of the lives of three generations of Kasmiri women, Sudah Koul weaves a tapestry of life in the beautiful valley beneath the Himalayas which remained somewhat isolated and serene despite the political realities which would eventually tear it apart. I would disagree with the editorial review as far as the "subtle signs of segregation that later explode into sectarian violence...". On the contrary, Koul explains throughout the book, that the Kashmiris she knew in her community shared relationships of respect and acceptance despite their religious differences. The conflict that touches her life and the lives of those around her in the latter part of the book does not come from within this community where all are regarded first as Kasmiris. The lack of intermarriage between Muslims and Hindus, as well as cultural differences related to religion, are not a source of conflict and are no more elements of segregetion in Kashmir than they were at the same time in any other region in the world. The conflict comes from other sources (outside influences, broken promises, and political fragmentation and perceived imbalances in power)and Koul deals with them fairly and honestly, I believe. It is far too easy to oversimplfy the conflict in and over Kashmir, but Koul avoids that, providing the reader with the necessary historical background without detracting from the focus of the book which is the sharing of the richness of Kashmiri life as she experienced it. Sudha Koul's life blends threads of Kasmiri traditions, colonial remnants, and modernization into a work of light and color, and much like the climate, a contrast of warmth and biting cold. Koul's writing pulls the reader into the tapestry, recognizing similar textures and colors from one's own experience despite the geographical location of one's youth. There is a universality to it as well as a uniqueness. I enjoyed it immensly and well never again think of Kashmir or its people in the same way.