Wanawan, a folk music form of Kashmir, is sung mainly during:

Wanawan (also written Wanvun or Vanvun) is a traditional form of Kashmiri folk singing performed mainly by women during weddings and other auspicious occasions. It is a group or choral song, sung in a call-and-response style. One group of women sings a line and the other group answers. It is usually sung without musical instruments, which gives it a plain but moving quality.

Wanawan songs are sung at different stages of a wedding: during the preparation of the wedding feast, while applying mehndi (henna) to the bride, when the bride leaves her parents' home, and when she arrives at her husband's home. The songs bless the couple, praise the families, describe the bride's beauty, and express the sadness of the bride's family as she leaves. Some songs also include prayers and praise of saints.

Wanawan is an old tradition, and it is shared by both Muslim and Kashmiri Pandit communities, though the words differ. Experts consider it an important part of Kashmir's cultural heritage that is slowly declining.

Other folk music forms of Kashmir:

• Chakri: a lively folk song form sung by a group with instruments such as the harmonium, rabab, sarangi and nout (clay pot).
• Sufiana Kalam: the classical Sufi music of Kashmir, played with the santoor, sitar and saz-e-kashmir.
• Ladishah: a satirical folk ballad sung by a wandering singer.
• Rouf: a dance with songs performed by women, especially during Eid and Ramzan.
• Hafiz Nagma: a classical dance-music form.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Harvest songs of Kashmir are different from Wanawan.
• ✗Boat races are not part of Kashmiri tradition.
• ✗Good to know
• ✗Funeral laments are not called Wanawan.