Loal Kashmir

About Loal Kashmir

Loal Kashmir: Love and Longing in a Torn Land is a non-fiction book by Mehak Jamal, a filmmaker born and raised in Srinagar. Instead of focusing on headlines, Loal Kashmir collects sixteen true stories about love, separation and hope in the lives of ordinary people in the Valley. Lafz Bookstore is based in Srinagar and stocks one of the largest online collections of Kashmir books, and this title is a fine example of writing that shows the human side of the region. For the edition and number of pages of the copy in stock, please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492 for details of the copy in stock.

The word loal, in Kashmiri, speaks of love and longing, and the book takes that feeling as its thread. Each story shows how affection, family ties and friendship carry on through difficult times.

What the book covers

• Sixteen real-life narratives drawn from people’s own experiences
• Stories set across three periods: the early 1990s, the years after 2008 and the period after 2019
• How couples and families cope with distance, curfews and interrupted communication
• Accounts of separation, waiting, reunion and perseverance
• A picture of everyday Kashmiri life, feelings and humour beyond the news

About the author, Mehak Jamal

Mehak Jamal grew up in Srinagar and works as a filmmaker. She was a South Asia Speaks fellow in 2022. Her stated aim in her storytelling is to move beyond stereotypes and to let people speak for themselves. The book was published in 2025 by 4th Estate, an imprint of HarperCollins India.

Why Loal Kashmir is worth reading

Much of what is written about Kashmir looks at politics, security and history. This book looks at the feelings of the people who live there. It reminds the reader that behind every period of difficulty are families, couples and friends who still hope, wait and care for each other. The stories are told with sympathy and without taking sides, and that makes the book approachable for readers from different backgrounds. Reviewers have described it as a tender and humane collection.

Who should read this book

• Readers who enjoy narrative non-fiction and true stories
• Anyone who wants to understand life in Kashmir through personal experience
• Students of social studies, media and literature who study regional writing
• Kashmiris living outside the Valley who want to read their own stories in print
• Book clubs looking for a thoughtful, discussion-friendly title

Tips for reading

Take the stories one at a time and give yourself a pause between them. Each narrative has its own mood, and reading slowly lets you reflect on what the people in it have gone through. If you read in a group, ask each member to choose a favourite story and explain why. Pair the book with a history or a political study of the region to see how personal stories sit within the wider picture.

A thoughtful gift

A book of true stories is a lovely present for a friend who wants to know Kashmir beyond the news, for a relative abroad who misses home, or for a library. You can add it to an order along with other Kashmir books from our collection.

Edition details

Title: Loal Kashmir: Love and Longing in a Torn Land. Author: Mehak Jamal. Imprint: 4th Estate (HarperCollins India). Language: English. For the binding and number of pages of the copy in stock, please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492 for details of the copy in stock. Same-day dispatch from Srinagar. Delivery takes about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days across the rest of India.

Frequently asked questions

Is Loal Kashmir a novel? No. It is a non-fiction collection of sixteen true stories.

Who is the author? Mehak Jamal, a filmmaker from Srinagar.

Is it a political book? It is a book about people, love and longing, set against the background of life in Kashmir. It does not argue for any political position.

Which language is it in? English.

How quickly will it reach me? We dispatch the same day from Srinagar, with delivery in about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days in the rest of India.

Looking for more Kashmir books like this? Browse our Politics & Kashmir collection or explore all Kashmir Books. Follow Lafz Bookstore on Instagram for new arrivals and book recommendations.