A KASHMIRI PANDIT FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHED IN 1925

                                                                                   

A KASHMIRI PANDIT FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHED IN 1925......


SAREE HAD NOT ARRIVED IN KASHMIR AT THAT TIME . ..EVEN YOUNG GIRLS WOULD PUT ON A PHERAN ( SOMETHING  LIKE A CLOAK )...



" SIT DOWN WITH YOUR LEGS CROSSED . YOU LADIES AND GENTS , KEEP SOME FLOWER IN YOUR HANDS. THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE A FLOWER TO KEEP ,LET THEM DO A PRANAAM / NAMASKAAR FOLDING THEIR HANDS AND BE SILENT . LOOK TOWARDS THE CAMERA . A SPARROW WILL SOON COME OUT FROM IT. "


That is what the photographers would tell in olden days when they came to click a group / family photograph ...


( Autar Mota )

                                                     

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LET US LIVE LIKE TREES IN SOLITUDE , SOLIDARITY AND INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM .

                                                                             

LIKE POPLAR TREES IN SOLIDARITY .....

"To live like a tree in solitude and freedom,
And also like a forest in solidarity,
This yearning is ours."

(Nazim Hikmet Turkish Poet)



 
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MADAN LAL DHINGRA ..THE UNKNOWN FREEDOM FIGHTER FROM AMRITSAR ( PUNJAB )

                                                                            

MADAN LAL DHINGRA OF AMRITSAR....

So happy to know that a grand function is being organized by Capt Amrinder Singh CM (Punjab) And Navjot Singh Sidhu ( Cricketer and  Minister )  at Amritsar to honour Madan Lal Dhingra the forgotten Hero of India's freedom struggle.

During my posting at Amritsar , I came to know many things about Madan Lal Dhingra ..He was executed by British rulers on 17th August, 1909 . He was studying Mechanical Engineering in UK at that time. His father Dr Ditta Mal Dhingra was a reputed Doctor and CMO of Amritsar city who had been conferred the Title of "Rai Sahib "by British Government . He had 7 Buggies driven by Horses to ride , the only imported car driven by an Indian in Amritsar during those days and 27 houses in Amritsar city apart from several kanals of agricultural Land in Sahiwal ( sargodha district ) where from the family had moved to Amritsar . 

While studying science in Lahore, young Madan lal got influenced by the "Pagdi Sambhal Jatta" a movement of Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh, uncle of Bhagat Singh.Rai Sahib Dr Ditta Mal Dhingra did not like his son's association with Revolutionaries of that time. A fargati / Disowning notice had also been got published by the father in leading Newspapers at that time. His father even stopped spending money on him and Madan lal did odd jobs to earn a living .  He worked as a clerk and  even became a Tongawalla and a labourer at Bombay Port. 

Even under all these hardships ,the flame of patriotism did not extinguish itself inside his soul . It now burnt more vigorously . 

His elder Brother , who had become Diwan of Jindh state , brought him back to his father . Dr Ditta Mal had already decided to send him out of the country so as to cut him from his revolutionary friends .Now Young Madan moved to UK to study Engineering but got more involved in his revolutionary activities and Freedom Movement of the country . in 1908. When Khudiram Bose , Kanhaiyalal Datt and Satendra Bose were hanged, Dhingra turned restless and decided to take revenge and shot dead Lord Curzon Wyllie . He was caught , tried and executed in London . His family refused to accept his body . After his sacrifice, the family disowned him totally.

Almost all governments ignored this great son of Punjab. Even to this day his own family members have not come out from this Disowning mode. I have not heard them say that 'He made us feel proud'.
Well known  Film Music director Madan Mohan Kohli or Madan Mohan was always feeling proud for having been married to Dhingra's niece from Amritsar.

And Dr Ditta Mal Dhingra was a personal Physician of Maharaja Partap Singh of J&K.
  I am told that It was P V Narsimha Rao ( The then PM of india ) who took some personal interest and got a postal stamp  and first Day cover released in his memory in 1992. 

Will the Government convert the family's House in Amritsar as a National Musuem to Honour this Great son of the soil ?

(Autar Mota)

 
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THE SILENCE OF NAIDYAAR BRIDGE IN RAINAWARI

                                                                                

NAIDYAAR RAINAWARI KASHMIR......

A VERY THIN SHEET OF SNOW ON THE EARTH FOLLOWED BY THE MYSTERIOUS SILENCE OF WINTER . AND SILENT STANDS THE UNCLOTHED  CHINAR TREE AS WELL..........................................

............................MISS YOU .....

...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Ye ajnabi si Manzilein aur raftagaan ki yaad,

Tanhaaiyon ka zahar hai aur ham hain doston......

Aankhon Mein Urr rahi lutti Mehfilon ki dhool,

Ibrat sarai-deher hai, aur ham hain doston........

Phirte Hain Misal-E-Muaj Hawa Shehr Shehr Mein,

Aawaargi Ki Lehar Hai Aur Hum Hain Doston........

( Munir Niazi )

My English rendering would be …….

The present unfamiliar destinations and the memory of misplaced friends,
The poison of loneliness is what we live with now , Dear friends……

These eyes carry the hurting dust of that robbery ,
The robbed circle of friends !
This ruined Serai of existence has only repentance now , Dear friends …..

In city after city , We move like whiff of Air ,
Vagrant and Wanderer has turned our existence now , Dear Friends ...

( AUTAR MOTA )

 
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A RARE PHOTOGRAPH OF INDIRA GANDHI , PANDIT JAWAHAR LAL NEHRU AND BAKSHI GHULAM MOHD.

                                                                                        

WHILE PANDIT JAWAHAR LAL NEHRU AND BAKSHI GHULAM MOHD ARE AMUSED TO WATCH SOMETHING , INDIRA JI IS GETTING BORED .

( PHOTO  CLICKED AT PAHALGHAM   KASHMIR ) 


( AUTAR  MOTA )


 
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THE MIRACLE FROM HUMAN HANDS

                                                                             

THE MIRACLE OF HUMAN HANDS ..

A POTTER MAKING TUMBAKNAAR (Musical Instrument) IN KASHMIR FROM CLAY ..

Eajaaz hai ye in haathon kaa,
Resham ko chhuein to Aanchal hai
Pa’thar ko chhuein to buu’t kar dein,
kaalakh ko chhuein to kaajal hai
Mittī ko chhuein to sona hai,
chaandī ko chhuen to paayal hai
………………….in Haathon ki Taazim Karo
In haathon ki Takreem Karo
Duniya ko chalaane vaalre hain
In haathon ko Tasleem karo……………..

( Ali sardar Jafri from his Poem "Haathon Ka Taraana "or "The song of Hands" )


My simple English rendering would be ..




A Miracle of these hands only !
Should they touch Silk ,
They make it the beautiful hem of a women’s scarf .
Should they touch a stone ,
They transform it to an idol for worship,
Should they touch Black soot ,
A wonderful Kohl for the eyes they make out of it.
And Should they touch Mud ,
They transform it to gold,
A touch to silver ,
Transforms it to the beautiful tinkling Anklet …
………..Respect these hands ,
Revere these hands,
They set the world in motion,
Grant them recognition ………….


( Autar Mota )

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DIALOGUE ….BAITHAK ON 13.08.2017 AT JAMMU...

                                                                

                                ( PROF. R L SHANT AND DR KSHEMA KAUL )

                               ( Prof shant )

                       ( Dr Kshema kaul )

                                ( padamshri Rajinder Tikoo Sculptor  )

                                   ( Sh Narinder safaya )

                             ( Vijay saraf Meenaghe well known artist )

 (  L to R .M L Saraf  Doyen of Theatre in J&K State , Dr Advaitvadini kaul and Shri Utpal kaul )

      

DIALOGUE ….BAITHAK ON 13.08.2017 AT JAMMU....
( Photographs ...Autar Mota )

DIALOGUE is a unique Initiative in our state that has come from some like minded Individuals from the field of Art, Literature, Music , Social service etc. The idea to hold Baithaks ( Sittings ) and involve youth from among various sections of the society has proved of immense utility in Bridging so many gaps .

It is an effort towards promoting integration , Peace and goodwill through Art , literature , Music and social service . Conceived by Narinder Safaya Advocate supreme Court of India and a poet himself, it is supported by a dedicated team comprising of Prof. Arvind Gigoo (English Author) , T K Jalali ( composer , Vocalist and former Principal Institute of Music and fine Arts ) , Makhan Lal Saraf (Doyen of Theatre Movement in J&K State) , Shadi Lal Koul (Well Known Theatre Artist) , Prof R L Shant ( Hindi and Kashmiri writer ) ,Dr Ayaz Rasool Nazki ( Poet , Writer and Former Head ICCR Kashmir ) , Indu Bushan Zutshi ( Writer and Trade Union Leader ) , M K Santoshi ( Hindi Poet and writer ) , Gokul Dembi ( Artist ) , Autar Mota ( writer , Blogger and poet ), Jangs Verman ( Journalist, Photographer and writer ) and Many More Individuals .

In every Baithak , Two Prominent persons from our State from the field of Art , Literature , Drama , Music and social Service are called to speak about their life and work to a select gathering . Every effort is made to involve youth. Some Baithaks (Gatherings) are to be exclusively held for younger generation drawn from various sections of the society .The purpose is to acquaint them with our rich cultural past and peaceful coexistence .
In previous BAITHAKS ( Sittings ) , Sh. Triloke Kaul ( Well Known Artist ) , Sh. Makhan Lal Saraf ( Theatre ) , Dr Ayaz Rasool Nazki ( Poet , writer and Former Head ICCR ) , PadamShri Rajinder Tikoo ( Sculptor ) , Prof R L Shant noted Hindi and Kashmiri writer and Farooq Nazki (well known Kashmiri poet and Media personality), G R Hasarat Gadda ( Writer and critic ), T K Jalali ( Composer and vocalist ) were invited as Principal speakers .

Dr Kshema kaul Well known Hindi short story Writer , Novelist and Poet happened to be the principal speakers in Today’s BAITHAK. She spoke about her Life, Struggle and contribution in the filed of Hindi literature .

It may be in fitness of things to mention that Dr Kshema kaul’s Novel DARDPUR published by Gyanpeeth has come in three successive prints . This Novel has been prescribed as a course Text Book for post Graduation By a prestigious University in Gujrat. . It was a surprise to learn that the Author has earned a Royalty of more than rupees 1 lakh from this Book. The novel has been translated into many Languages within the country . She received many awards for this work. Her other prominent published works include “ Samay ke Baad ( Diary ) ," Nikki Tawi Par Rehearsal ( Novel ) " and “Baadalon Meing Aag ( Poetic collection )”. All these Books have been well received by Public.er Book SAMAY KE BAAD ( DIARY ) Won her  prestigious HRD Ministry Award which she received from Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma the then President of India . Her poems and Book Reviews have been published so many Hindi Magazines published all over india .

She has lived in Delhi and Allahabad . She has traveled to every nook and corner of the country and according to her " I am familiar with so many cultures tied under one basic thread of truth and Humanity ." 

Speaking about Pangs of Exile , Dr Kshema kaul added “ Exile has been a bitter experience . We are a body not a soul. Today you may have all the comforts of life but the very idea of missing your own land and home washes down all these material gains .You are left to think " Why did it happen ? What is My fault ?"

Dr Kshema kaul also clarified many issues relating to her work . According to her , A time comes in the life of a writer when he wants to say something straight and direct. She added that So many things are meant to be put across to a vast audience which is impossible in the language of Metaphors or Camouflages .

Dr Kshema Kaul believes that a writer never stops thinking . Accordingly, her next Project is a Novel on her own sister and sculptor Hema kaul ( 1958-2010 ) . It may not be out of place to mention that Theatre legend   and Art Critic Ebrahim Alkazi ( Founding Director of National School of Drama) has done a film ( For Doordarshan ) on the life and work of  Hema kaul  . Apart from that , Alkazi has also purchased good number of Hema’s Sculptures .

(Autar Mota )

 
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