Food czar to RJ: Meet five social media celebrities who wield considerable influence in Kashmir

Srinagar: There are people who are passionate about their work because it is nothing but an extension of their hobby. We are talking about some real influencers from the valley who are making a difference with their innovative skills and expertise.

Have a look at the five popular influencers from Kashmir-

Mehak Zubair- Mirchi Mehak Aka RJ Mehak

 Every morning, a warm voice greets the listeners at 98.3 FM – Radio Mirchi. She is Mehak Mirchi aka RJ Mehak – who compares the morning show at Radio Mirchi.

Mehak, better known as Mirchi Mehak, believes that her job is to talk to people and play the music that makes them happy. With more than 38K followers on Instagram, she also regales her fans with the latest fashion fads to satirical reels.

She started her career as a correspondent with a news channel CNN IBN and was the odd one out in the soft-spoken culture of the radio, thanks to her bindass voice and style. Today, she hosts a daily show that focuses on the achievements of people in extraordinary situations.

Her trick to comfort her listeners is a mix of “sensible talk, conversational and colloquial language, the right tone and soothing music.”

The young radio jockey believes that the “hyperlocal connection” is what makes radio special.

“I love talking and talking about what matters and for that radio is an excellent medium.  It’s very hyperlocal and is existent everywhere. It helps us raise issues and get feedback from the listeners,” she says.

 Kashmir Food Fusion:

With 1.5 lakh subscribers on YouTube and more than 40K followers on Instagram, Kashmir Food Fusion is creating quite a buzz on social media with its delectable traditional Kashmiri recipes. This is the brainchild of 28-year-old Tasiya Hameed. She is a sheer blend of enthusiasm & creativity.

Her channel has a wide range of recipes starting from pulao to sumptuous wazwan. It has emerged as a go to place for the foodies. It has also come across as a favorite among beginners in cooking, newlywed brides, and those who love to enhance their culinary skills.

Kashmir Food Gram:

“Food is more intimate than you think”. This gets reflected on the Instagram handle, Kashmir Food Gram, run by Omar Rather, a young food blogger from Kashmir. Omar has created a niche for his content that is being followed by more than 30K followers.

From organizing food walks to promoting food tourism, Omar is the perfect guide for those who are confused about what to eat in Kashmir. His recommendations are on the basis of personal experience, as a man who knows the science of flavors.

Aaquib Wani

The feisty 29-year-old spatial, graphic, and visual designer from Kashmir, Aaquib Wani was recently featured in Forbes 30 under 30 list under the Design category.

Holds-barred approach to design has impressed clients and social media alike especially on Instagram where he has garnered around 24K followers. His repertoire ranges from designing limited-edition hand-painted customized jackets for international brands such as Levi’s, Adidas, and Gas to the design of the Craft Mela bazaar for the wedding of Isha Ambani.

Among his other notable works is building gigantic installations on a hilltop for the NH7 Weekender and creating a space-themed anti-gravity experience for the launch of Adidas’s Ultraboost 20 sneakers, in addition to working with Coca-Cola, United Nations, and MG Motors.

 Being Kashmiri:

Danish Mir, the young travel blogger, and owner of Insta Handle, Being Kashmiri is a proof of close relationship with nature and traveling.  Mir beautifully journals the backpacking travel tales of the travelers and adventure seekers who venture to the nooks and crannies of the valley, where they experience the magic of heritage, culture, and mythology.

With more than 39K followers, this ‘digital nomad’ feels that nature is one of the most beautiful gifts we have inherited from our ancestors and it is our responsibility to keep it unharmed for our future generations.