The Stories Our Grandmothers Never Wrote Down

Some of our most valuable cultural treasures are not preserved in museums. They are still living in our homes.
By Ashok Sharma | True Roots Media | 21 October 2026
Some of the most valuable lessons in a Dogra household were never written in a book. They came through conversations in the courtyard, songs sung during family gatherings, and stories shared by elders after a long day. We may remember the warmth of those moments without realising that they were also passing knowledge from one generation to another.
Today, we can record a high-quality video in seconds and speak to someone thousands of kilometres away. Yet we sometimes fail to ask the person sitting beside us about the life they have lived. What did our grandparents learn during difficult years? Which customs brought neighbours together? Which songs did they hear as children?
The Voices Behind Our Traditions
Dogra folk music offers a beautiful example. Traditions such as Fumenie, associated with marriage celebrations, and other Dogri folk songs have carried emotions, humour, hopes and experiences across generations. Research into Dogra women’s folk songs has also shown how they express women’s wishes, frustrations and social realities. These songs are more than entertainment; they offer glimpses of lives that formal histories may overlook. 
But respecting heritage does not mean accepting every old practice without question. Some traditions reflect unequal expectations placed on women. Listening carefully gives us an opportunity to appreciate the creativity of earlier generations while also understanding what should change.
A Small Project With a Big Purpose
Imagine every school or college student in Jammu Division recording one thoughtful conversation with an elder. Not a hurried social media clip, but a patient discussion about childhood, farming, education, marriage customs, migration, or the history of a village.
With permission, these recordings could become a community archive, preserved in the speaker’s own language and accompanied by a translation. Students would gain practical skills in interviewing, research, audio editing and storytelling. More importantly, they would learn to listen without interrupting or judging.
The project need not require expensive equipment. A phone, a quiet room and genuine curiosity are enough to begin. What matters is recording names and places accurately, seeking consent, and treating personal memories with dignity.
Taking Duggar Into the Future
Our young people should explore the world, master technology and pursue opportunities wherever they arise. But global ambition becomes richer when we understand the people and traditions that shaped us.
This week, spend half an hour with an elder. Ask about a song, a difficult decision or a moment of kindness they still remember. You may discover a story worth preserving, or simply understand someone in your family a little better.
Not every important part of Dogra history is found in a palace or an archive. Some of it is still sitting quietly in our homes, waiting for us to listen.