Movie Theaters Return to Kashmir after More Than 30 Years

Movies have returned to Indian-Administered Kashmir for the first time in almost 33 years.

Theaters were closed January 1, 1990, because of concerns over militant¹ threats against theaters, beauty parlors³, and liquor stores. But a new multiplex cinema, INOX Srinagar, opened on September 30.

India and Pakistan dispute who should rule Kashmir. The territory is divided almost in half between the two countries, with military forces on each side.

However, the threat of violence remains⁴ high for the people who visit the multiplex. Patrons⁶ must pass through tight security. Armed police guard the area. Patrons are frisked at the main gate before entering the theater. An armored truck with at least a dozen policemen is stationed near the entry gate, and a security tower stands next to the ticket counter.

The Kashmir Valley had about 15 movie theaters until 1989, when militants⁷, opposed to Indian rule, demanded their closure.

INOX Srinagar is owned by Vikas Dhar's family. The family has owned movie theaters in Srinagar since the 1960s. Dhar told VOA that, for him, the opening of his multiplex is a dream come true.

More than 5,000 patrons visited the 524-seat complex in its first month of operation.

Dhar thinks more people will visit in the future. He said, "It is not a big figure, but it will increase with the passage of time when people will come out of their houses without being afraid of anyone."

He added that the theater might develop restaurants and a play area for children next year.

For the younger generation, going to the movie theater is a new experience. For older people, it is a reminder⁸ of times past. But many young people prefer to watch movies at home on large TV screens instead of risking their safety at a theater.

Tayba Gulnar is a 27-year-old lawyer who likes to watch movies at home. "Cinema is a public place and is different from what it used to be 10-15 years ago." She added, "I would only watch an animated⁹ movie in cinema, if I ever go there." Cinema is another word for theater.

But Dhar thinks that even younger Kashmiris will enjoy the experience of watching a film in a theater. He said that movies such as Avatar and Avengers with their special effects can only be fully¹⁰ enjoyed on a big screen.

Manmohan Singh Gauri owned the Palladium Cinema in the Kashmir Valley before it closed. Now he hopes to open his own theater if he is granted permission by the government. He said the return of movies to the Kashmir Valley can give younger Kashmiris more information about what is happening around the world.

Words in This Story

beauty parlor² –n. a term for a store where mainly women go to have their hair, skin or nails treated

liquor –n. a strong, alcoholic¹¹ drink

multiplex –n. a building that contains several movie theaters

patron⁵ –n. a person who buys goods or uses the services of a business, library, or similar places

frisk –v. when a security person passes their hands over the body of someone searching for hidden weapons or illegal materials

dozen –n. a word for the number 12

tower –n. a tall structure

animated –adj. produced through the process of animation, using individual drawing or images to create a moving image as in a movie

1 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

2 parlor   

n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅

参考例句：

• She was lying on a small settee in the parlor.她躺在客厅的一张小长椅上。
• Is there a pizza parlor in the neighborhood?附近有没有比萨店？

3 parlors   

客厅( parlor的名词复数 )； 起居室； （旅馆中的）休息室； （通常用来构成合成词）店

参考例句：

• It had been a firm specializing in funeral parlors and parking lots. 它曾经是一个专门经营殡仪馆和停车场的公司。
• I walked, my eyes focused into the endless succession of barbershops, beauty parlors, confectioneries. 我走着，眼睛注视着那看不到头的、鳞次栉比的理发店、美容院、糖果店。

4 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

5 patron   

n.资助人，赞助人，老主顾，顾客

参考例句：

• The student wants to find a wealthy patron in America.那学生想在美国找一个富有的赞助人。
• I hope that you will become our patron.我希望你将成为我们的靠山。

6 patrons   

赞助人( patron的名词复数 )； 资助人； 老主顾； 名义赞助人（支持慈善组织等的名人，名字常用于有关的广告宣传中）

参考例句：

• "Of course. Every hotel depends upon the repute of its patrons. “当然啦，每家旅馆都要依靠其主顾的名声。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• Patrons are requested to leave their bags in the cloakroom. 顾客请将手提包留在衣帽间。

7 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

8 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。

9 animated   

adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的

参考例句：

• His observations gave rise to an animated and lively discussion.他的言论引起了一场气氛热烈而活跃的讨论。
• We had an animated discussion over current events last evening.昨天晚上我们热烈地讨论时事。

10 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

11 alcoholic   

adj.（含）酒精的，由酒精引起的；n.酗酒者

参考例句：

• The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.白兰地的酒精浓度远远超过葡萄酒。
• Alcoholic drinks act as a poison to a child.酒精饮料对小孩犹如毒药。