How This Gen Z Girl Revives Kashmiri Tradition on Social Media
In the vibrant streets of Srinagar, 19-year-old Gen Z Kashmiri Muslim girl Anna Amina finds both her inspiration and her voice. A self-taught graphic designer, hip-hop enthusiast, and cultural advocate, she is using her platform to revive the fading traditions of Kashmir while raising awareness of its political struggles.
Through her Instagram, @masalcxot, she brings the essence of home to a global audience, reminding Kashmiris in the diaspora to hold fast to their roots.
With big dreams of expanding her project into animated shows and a passion for preserving the stories of her homeland, Anna is not just sharing art—she’s spreading resistance and resilience.
In this interview, Anna shares more about her work with Muslim Girl.
AMBER SIMNANI [FROM MUSLIM GIRL]: Anna, could you tell us a bit more about yourself? What are your hobbies, perhaps a little about your upbringing?
ANNA AMINA: I was born and raised in Srinagar, Kashmir. My inception lies in the streets of downtown, specifically Chassball. Kashmir’s struggles and resilience have always resonated with me, shaping me into who I am today. My identity, my character, owes much to the land that has given me everything. My Gen Z character as a Kashmiri Muslim girl is a reflection of this land, nurtured by the stories passed down by my father and grandfather.
From my earliest years, I’ve felt the weight of history and the love for Kashmir that runs deep within my family. This shared emotion is something I’ve always wanted to convey to those who feel the same. I am passionate about writing, creating, and immersing myself in the beauty of my homeland.
I shamelessly sing Kaeshir baet in gatherings (even though some might question my singing skills), and I am a big Kaeshur hip-hop fanatic. Gaekhir Republik is my favorite band, politics is my passion, graphic design is something I have done for time-pass, and artificial intelligence is what I am pursuing.
A.S.: What does MasalCxot mean?
A.A.: These are two words for a delicacy that will make any Kaeshur drool. MasalCxot is Kashmiri street food! It’s spicy, filling, versatile, and cheap, and it reminds me of the streets of downtown!
Don’t be surprised if you see me every Friday devouring it near the doors of Khanqah or Dargah. I mean, you simply cannot-not eat it!
A.S.: How would you describe your content? What sort of message are you trying to send across?
A.A.: My content can be summed up in one word: Home. I want my work to evoke that feeling of belonging, especially for those in the diaspora. So much of our history and culture is slowly slipping away, and I want to ensure people remember and pass on the beauty of our land, I do my part which is to spread information.
Kashmir is abundant in stories and rich traditions, yet the smallest, most precious details are being overlooked.
The oppressor’s first weapon is to erase our culture and language, but if we hold fast to our roots and stand together, nothing can break us.
My goal is to bring these hidden gems to light. Kashmir has witnessed relentless oppression, and I firmly believe that to remember is to resist.
The oppressor’s first weapon is to erase our culture and language, but if we hold fast to our roots and stand together, nothing can break us.
A.S.: Where do you see yourself with MasalCxot in the long term? Is it a passion project or do you plan on expanding it, perhaps?
A.A.: What began as a passion project has now grown into something much bigger. My dream is to create a Kashmiri cartoon animation show for children, filled with authentic elements from our culture.
In sha Allah, with the grace of the Almighty and the support of my fellow Kashmiris, we’ll bring this vision to life. I have grand plans for MasalCxot—stay tuned and watch it unfold!
A.S. The artwork and editing are really impressive, do you do it yourself?
A.A.: Yes! Everything I create is crafted at home, with little to no help. I’ve never taken any formal graphic design courses; I’m entirely self-taught. I don’t rely on professional tools or advanced software.
I believe that when you’re passionate about something, the tools are secondary. What truly matters is the effort you put in and the authenticity you bring to your work. My lame humor in my posts shows my Gen Z Kashmiri aura.
A.S.: Lastly, would you mind letting our audiences know more about what’s happening in Kashmir?
A.A.: Currently Kashmir is under the occupation of nearly 500k Indian armed forces and is treated as India’s colony, with decisions such as who can be released from prison and what mosque can remain open on a Friday being decided in New Delhi.
Since 2019, Kashmiris have no form of self-governance and are designated as a UT (union territory). Kashmiris live under a dictatorial surveillance state, where colonial laws such as PSA and UAPA enable Indian forces to arrest and imprison Kashmiris without the need for a well-defined legal offense for up to 2 years in a foreign state without any chance of bail.
Army violations are still rampant in the form of extrajudicial killings to punish family members of freedom fighters and harassment of women ranging from children to elderly in CASOs. Further, there is an active settler colonial project aimed at changing the religious demography of the state, facilitated by the seizure of the land of Kashmiris on false charges to use that land for illegal settlements.
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