In the quaint village of Dadhkai in the Himalayan mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, India, a group of men dressed in traditional shalwar-kameez and neat moustaches gather to discuss the terms of a dowry, while the women in the adjacent kitchen busily prepare halwa with dried fruit and traditional Kashmiri tea.
Muhammad Sharief, the father of the bride, patiently waits as the discussions continue, ultimately agreeing on a dowry of $1,200 in cash and few gold ornaments for the upcoming marriage of his daughter, Reshma, 19, to Mukhtar Ahmed, 22. As prayers are murmured and sweet treats are served, the modest home, with its wooden roof, mud floor, and pink and green walls, is filled with the sounds of celebration.
Despite following all the customary nuptial traditions, this marriage is anything but ordinary – both the bride and groom, along with many others in the village, are deaf-mute. This condition has spanned generations in Dadhkai, sparking fears about the future generations and their ability to communicate.
As the festivities continue, Reshma remains in the kitchen observing traditional values, while Mukhtar attends to the guests and family members. Outside, elderly villager Alam Hussain, one of the oldest deaf-mute individuals in the community, tends to his cattle, reflecting on the challenges faced by those with his condition in finding companionship.
Despite these challenges, the community in Dadhkai continues to support and respect its deaf-mute members, with elders like Hussain held in high esteem. While the social landscape has shifted over the years, the village remains committed to upholding its traditions and caring for all its members, regardless of their abilities.