SHANKER KOUL : A DISCPLINED , PROGRESSIVE AND COMPASSIONATE TEACHER WHO WAS GENEROUSLY PRAISED BY EUROPEANS FOR HIS OUTSTANDING WORK .

                                                        

                   (Boys of CMS  school Fateh kadal near the school Ghaat )

                     
          (Rev. C E Tyndale Biscoe arrived in kashmir in 1890 AD  to  spread Modern  Education through CMS schools located at  Fateh Kadal  in srinagar city , Sheikh Bagh in srinagar city  , Anantnaag and Baramulla .  He also fought for removal of many social evils and wrong practices from kashmiri society .The first bicycle that came to kashmir was brought by CE Tyndale Biscoe .  During those early days, Whenever any   kashmiri saw him on a Bicycle , he or she   would run away calling it a Djjin. or jin.  And some years Later bicycle became a  preferred  mode of transport in Kashmir .He left kashmir in october 1947 . )

SHANKER KOUL

Down Town area of srinagar city which comprises of localities known as Ali kadal , Zaina Kadal , Bohri Kadal , Wattal Kadal, Safa Kadal , Nawa kadal,  Jamalata , Khanyaar , Baba-Demb,Bulbul Lanker ,Kawdara – Budhgair , Gurgari Mohalla, Nowhatta, Nawa Bazar ,Malchimaar ,Wazapora , Razouri Kadal , Khankaah e sokhta ,Fateh Kadal , etc.etc. has produced many bright and talented men in recent past who left their mark in various fields or professions . Men like Bakshi Ghulam Mohd, Durga Prasad Dhar ,Khawja Mohd Maqbool Pandit ( Wazir e wazarat and father of shri Mohd Shafi Pandit IAS Ex .chief secretary ), Renowned Unani medicine Practitioner Hakim Ahmed Ullah ,Dr Hafiz Ullah ( Died in an Aircrash ),Shiv Narain Fotedar ,late Shri J N kaul or Papa Ji ( Associated with SOS schools ), Ahmed ullah Shahdaad ( leading Pashmina Trader of the state . This Shahdaad family had their Business interests in Yarkand and china ), sufi mystic poet Ahad zargar , Moti Lal Misri ( communist leader ), Jia Lal saraf( sanskrit scholar who Translated Panchastavi to kashmiri ),Mohd Abdullah Tibbet Baqqal ( Renowned sufiana Musician ), Laxman Joo Tickoo ( Architect of Banihall cart Road ), Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq , Dr Ali Jan , Dr K L Chowdhary and many more names come to my mind. The list is endless . But One man from this down town area with a  liberal and progressive outlook    who was generously praised  by Europeans was Shanker Pandit or Shanker Koul .

Shanker Kaul was born in Koul family that lived in Sehyar Mohalla located opposite to Rehbab sahib in down town Srinagar . In 1892 he joined CMS school Fateh Kadal as a student and later rose to become Head Master of this school.. About him C E Tyandle Biscoe writes in his memoirs

“I must express my thanks to my Headmaster Shanker Pandit BA who has allowed me to draw upon his knowledge of ancient history , and of various rites and ceremonies , both of hindus and muslims , with respect to birth, death , marriage etc. What my friend shanker does not know concerning his country is not worth knowing . He remained Head master for 40 years in the school. A very successful teacher in the classroom , but as a leader in all social services for the welfare of his country , he was superb. ”

“ He led the boys for social service during some wild fires in Srinagar city . He again led them during the epidemics of cholera in Kashmir . He was seen with boys of our school creating embankments when Jhelum overflowed and created havoc in srinagar city .To speak of shanker kaul’s life and the enormous useful work and the brave deeds he performed would fill volumes .I can not count and tell you how many poor and innocent kashmiri girls he rescued from some impure devils .”

 He even worked amongst lepers and led  the  crusade against child marriage apart from being  a pillar of support for widow remarriage movement . So much was this great soul loved by citizen of the city irrespective of religious affiliations that he was made honorable member of Municipality even when he was Head master of our school.. I again quote CE Tyndale Biscoe

"Shanker kaul led a deputation of old students of the school to his highness Maharajah requesting him to enact a law Permitting widow remarriage in his community but the request was turned down . Two years later he again tried his luck and met Mr Wakefield secretary to Maharajah and succeeded . The remarriage of Widows in Hindu community became a law. I never expected in my lifetime to witness this miracle.

Mr Shanker koul , our school staff and certain old boys, had been anxious for some time to have the marriage age raised in Kashmir , so much suffering was continually being caused through young girls being married to elderly men. Shanker Koul sponsored  a deputation  from school to see His Highness Maharajah  with the result that their request was granted upto a certain point and the marriage age of girls was raised to fourteen .”

I CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF POST ON SHANKER KOUL WITH SOME LINES FROM   A   GAZAL OF  URDU   POET   MAJROOH   SULTANPURI :-

Jis taraf Bhi Chal Pade Hum aabalaa Paayaan e shauq

Khaar se gul Aur Gul se Gulsitaan Bantaa gayaa'''

Mein akelaa Hi Chalaa thhaa Jaanib e Manzil Magar

Loag Saathh aatay gaye aur Carvaan Bantaa Gayaa

(Autar Mota )

18^th May 2013 . Time 11.15 PM Good Night …

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MISS FITZE AND MISS MALLINSON:: PIONEERS OF GIRLS EDUCATION IN KASHMIR

                                                             

 THE MALLINSON GIRLS SCHOOL SHEIKH BAGH SRINAGAR
( photographs Autar Mota )

“O Jenaab idhar se Kidhar Gustaa hai . Idhar Parvez Sameul Kaul Sahib Nahin hai. Woh Baahar Gayaa Hotaa hai. Aaj school Bandh hai . ” said the gate keeper when I entered The Mallinson Girls school from Amirakadal side or from the main gate of CMS Tyandale Biscoe school . For going to Mallinson Girls School , I had surely to enter the from the Forest lane Gate .

“ O Sir where from Do you enter the school ? Pervaiz sameul Koul sahib is not here . He is out of station . The school is closed today” And now something about this school that pioneered Female Education in kashmir .

Credit for promoting female education in Kashmir should go only to Missionary ladies like Miss Violet  Fitze ( She started first Girl’s Primary school at Fateh Kadal in srinagar city in 1912 AD although the Missionaries had started educating Girls in a small two room school opened at Fateh Kadal in 1895) and Miss Mallinson who joined this school in 1922 as Principal and served till 1962.

Long back i was informed by an elderly Kashmiri Pandit from Fateh Kadal locality that Both Pandits and Muslims in Kashmir had opposed this Modern Female Education initially. Missionary ladies faced so many difficulties in spreading Girl education in Orthodox kashmiri society . One particular incident that he talked about is worth mentioning over here .

When the missionaries found that rolls were not picking up in the Girls school, they decided to invite some Europeans ladies as Guests for a prize distribution function inside the two room school in Fateh kadal thinking that this shall encourage more girls to come to the school. When the guests arrived , a shopkeeper outside the school shouted in chaste kashmiri that Englishmen had come to kidnap kashmiri girls . Hearing this the people from the locality assembled outside the school building and advised the girls to run for safety by jumping from the windows .When the guests entered ,they found no student in the school .

                                           

( My  Thanks to Publishers of the  Book “Kashmir  in  sunlight and shade “ for this photograph  showing  Jhelum Ghaat near  C M S Girls school at Fateh Kadal  Srinagar  )

Miss Mallinson was always seen on her bicycle in Srinagar city . Sometimes purchasing groceries from the Bazaar , Sometimes visiting her sick students and sometimes addressing groups of women about Hygiene and cleanliness . Always Busy and thoughtful about how best she could contribute for spreading education amongst girls in kashmir.. She stayed at Sheikh Bagh where she would be seeing washing clothes , cleaning her room and cooking her own food . She is reported to have personally visited most of the localities in downtown area and addressed women against child marriage and superstitions. And she is singularly responsible for introducing swimming , dancing and mountaineering in the Mission school and taking the Girls out for camping and trekking something unsual and daring during those days . In 1938, 40 Kashmiri Girls scaled Mahadev Peak ( 1300 feet ) under her guidance only. All Credit goes to this pious lady for adding a large number of educated women to kashmiri society . Fateh kadal school finally shifted to Sheikh Bagh in 1962 and is presently known as The Mallinson Girls school. .

Miss Mallinson had told her close friends that after her death her skeletal remains should go to school laboratory . She would often say

“ My dear Girls ,May you learn more from me when I am no more .My bones are meant to teach you Physiology ”

And This pious lady died in June 1984. Can we emulate her ? Not so easy because urdu poet * Dr.Kaleem Ajiz ( Born 1920 ) from Patna writes ….

Ishq har shakhs ke buss kaa nahin Pyaaray Jaao

Yeh samandhar hai Kinaaray hi Kinaaray Jaao

Yuun To Maqtal Mein Tamaashaai Bahut Aatein hain

Aao Uss waqt ki jiss waqt Pukaaray Jaao.

Koyee Rastaa koyee Manzil ussay Dushwaar nahin

Jiss jagah Jaao Mohabbat Ke sahaaray Jaao

( Dr. Kaleem Ajiz)

*Dr. Ajiz is a retired professor of Patna University and a recipient of the much coveted Padmshree award for his contributions to Urdu literature. One of the greatest Urdu poets of all time, Rahgupati Sahay Firaq Gorakpuri was a great admirer of Dr. Kaleem Ajiz. He sent his famous tape recorded words for Dr. Ajiz's first book while he was lying on his deathbed in which he respectfully said he felt jealous of Dr. Ajiz because of the ease in which he could express his thoughts through his verses.

( Autar Mota )

11.05.2013 Time 11.30 PM …. GOOD NIGHT .

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FROM MILKY BROOKS OF KASHMIR TO THE GOLDEN BEACHES OF GOA

                                                                                 

Photographs by Autar Mota 
( Top . Sindh stream near Prang Village in  kashmir ...Bottom . A Beach in Goa )

 ….. FROM  MILKY   BROOKS  OF  KASHMIR  TO THE   GOLDEN   BEACHES  OF   GOA . ….

WHAT IS THE RELIGION  OR  FAITH  OF   FRAGRANT  FLOWERS , HUMAN  PAIN  AND SUFFERING ,A WORD OF LOVE , SEPARATION  FROM  MOTHERLAND  AND  VULNERABILITY OF  INNOCENTS ?    

 AND LET ME TELL YOU  THAT MY BEING IS  LIKE A DESERT   OR   LIKE THE  OCEAN AT TIMES . AND ALSO  LIKE THE BREEZE THAT DANCES DOWN FROM  THE GREAT  HIMALAYS   TO EMBRACE WATERS OF   INDIAN  OCEAN.  
 
WHERE   IS    RIVER  GANGA ?  WHERE  IS RIVER  YAMUNA  ?  ISN'T   IT  LIKE  THE GREAT  SANGAM  AT  PRAYAAG   OR  LIKE THE  GREAT CIVILIZATION OF  MY  COUNTRY .

 I ADD THESE THOUGHTS TO THE  TWO  PHOTOGRAPHS  UPLOADED ABOVE   THROUGH   MY URDU  POEM  “ HAMAARA  DIL “

( Hamaara Dil )

Hamaara Dil Samajh lo Ek Sehraa hai samandhar hai ,

Yeh Bahr e Hind Tak Aayee Himaala Ki Hawaa Samjho,

Na Ganga hai, Na jamuna hai ,

Yeh sangam hai Prayaag e Hind Tehzeeb e wattan jaisaa .

Guzashtaa Daur ki Anmol Qadron ko Samaitey Hai,

Jisse Tum Chaah kar bhi apney Khwaabon Me Nahin Laatey,

Jisse Tum Pyaar kartey Ho Magar Apnaa Nahin Saktey,

Jo Ab Bhatkaa hai Unn raston pe jo Jungle ko Jaate hain,

Jo Ab Tanhaa Hai Unn shehron Me Jo Mudd kar nahin Taktey ,

Isse Ek Shaam Do, Aaraam Do, Subh e Tamanaa do.

Yeh Kaise Maan Legaa Khoon Ka, Baarish Kaa, Toofan Kaa,

Mehak Kaa ,Phool Ka, Aur dard ka ,Lafze Mohabbat ka ,

Behan Ke Gham kaa , Maa ki Chashm e num, Umeed e fardaa Kaa ,

Wattan Ki Yaad kaa, Doori Kaa, Majboori ,Judaai Kaa ,

"Koi Mazhab hai ,Koi Dharam hai ,Koyee Aqeeda Hai ."

( Autar Mota )

09.05.2013. TIME 8.00AM   GOOD   MORNING

 
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WONDERFUL SHORT STORIES FROM VEERINDER PATWARI ,NOTED URDU WRITER FROM KASHMIR

                                                              

Some amongst us  who have not read Urdu have certainly  missed something lovely in the  world of  literature . This rule equally applies to those who have not read Hindi . To understand the Soul of India’s  literary ethos , one has to read literature created by both the languages . I also want the lovely poetry , short stories , novels and essays created  in both the languages to be read by all of us to have a feel of and get a  peep into our shared and composite existence and the issues that it spins forth  .

                  Above  thoughts again visited me today when I read  some short stories of  Virender Patwari ( born 1940 in Kashmir )appearing in his Urdu Book  Lalla  Rukh Published by Modern Publishing House, Daryaganj Delhi in 2013 and priced  Rs350/=. My special Thanks to Patwari sahib for sending a copy to me absolutely  free.  

The book has 50 short stories . I read  12 but   shall keep my promise to finish all the fifty .My first reaction after reading these stories is that Mr. Patwari should have also published the book in Devnagri for a vast section of  readers who are otherwise ignorant about this great piece of literature that he has created. The stories remind me of Anton Chekhov. Every thought, every line and every paragraph represents evolved mind and wonderful reflections from  the writer. Every story is representative of   the present scenario especially the issues that this Runaway Technology seems to be imposing on Human existence .

My opinion is that the writer is an authority on child Psychology which is evident from stories like  DARPOK ( fearful ) . Fears and  thoughts muffled in the mind of a child have been aptly dealt with in this story  . The child who is made to sleep  alone in his room turns happy  one day when his parent quarrel .He possibly thinks that he has not to sleep alone at least for that day  as his  mother shall surely come and sleep with him. Alas ! It does not happen so .I shall not elaborate further . I would like every one to read the story.

In another story DUSHMAN ( Enemy ), We find the most powerful man on the earth afraid of a barking dog. The man who can order the Bomb laden missiles  to fly  .The man who can bring planes crashing down  runs away at the sight of a barking dog. The dog is finally killed with a sharp stone and the man enters a cave. Inside the cave he   finds another  man from ancient times  smiling at him possibly  because his enemies were also wild beasts and not men. And he would not use Bombs but   stones to save himself from these wild beasts  . To know more read the story .

Another story that I would like to mention is JAWAAB ( reply ). A wonderful interaction between an elderly man   and  his two grand children over watching TV channels .The grandfather wants to shift to News channel while the children want cartoon channel.. Then one day the children  enter the room of their grandfather and  find him busy watching  the news channel. To  their grandfather’s surprise both the boys start  watching the news with interest while their grandfather tries to divert their attention by telling them stories of Columbus and Vasco De Gama . After listening the news the children ask some question to their grandfather and seek reply

‘ Grandfather ! Are we hindus or muslims ?”

“ Are we Brahmis or Harijans ? ’

“ Grandfather, Are we Iraqis or Americans ? ’

“Grandfather ,Are we cruel or oppressed ? ’

“Grandfather  Can He-Man come to our rescue ”

“ Grandfather , if someone kidnaps us and seeks a ransom of one crore , you should give immediately else we shall be killed  ”

The grandfather turns serious and  is  unable to reply any question that these children ask  .He  switches over the cartoon channel. The elder child comes closer to him . Embraces his grand father , kisses him and says

“ Grandfather , are you angry with us. ? ”

Their grandfather is unable to  reply  this question even .

 Through his stories that I read , Veerinder Patwari has proved Anton Chekhov’s words that “The paramount duty of a writer is to put forth question. To  give replies  is none of his business .” Wonderful Patwari sahib. Great piece of  prose with contemporary and modern sensibilities .  

“Tum Jiyo Hazaaron saal” to create such good stories .

( Autar Mota …05.05.2013  Time  11.55 PM  … Good Night )

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SAFDAR HASHMI ( 1954-1989 ) AND KASHMIR.

                                                               

SAFDAR HASHMI  ( 1954-1989 ) AND KASHMIR

Not many people know that Noted IPTA activist and later JAN NATYA MANCH founder , SAFDAR HASHMI also taught english at university of kashmir someime in 1977and 1978 .I also vividly remeber this tall bespectacled young man coming to our Bank with My colleague and friend Tej Dhar.Tej was Prof A. N Dhar's son . Prof Dhar taught english and later rose to become HOD and Professor Emritus . SAFDAR also taught english during 1977 and if i am sure during 1978 also .Twice we sat with Safdar in Coffee House over a cup of coffee . He smoked uncontrollably and drank black cofee .He would move with a Jholaa type of a bag hung over his shoulders. A kurta with tailor stitched loose Pants and simple sandals was all that he would put on usually. Sipping coffee and discussing Camus , Sartre , Kafka and Kierkegaard .Safdar also informed us about his St. Stephan Background where from he had graduated in English Literature before completing MA in English from Delhi University . Safdar was also  drawn towards Pranesh Nagri another friend and colleague in the Bank. He was a marxist .

And then a girl also joined him one day when he came to the Bank. Tej said she was Mala or Moloyshree . She was a Bengali girl , very sharp and well read . They had a live in arrangement and later Tej told me that safdar had married her in Delhi . Safdar also started theatre activities in kashmir university . Dr Jayaraman who was HOD english university of kashmir at that point of time organized an English Play Woyzeck. The play was staged at Tagore Hall kashmir with actors comprising of Dr Jayaraman's family members , Aalok Aima , Safdar , Tej Dhar and many others from Kashmir university .

Safdar had earned many friends in kashmir . He was unforgettable on account of many reasons . He was simple and childlike.He was fucussed in his discussions and had very strong beliefs and convictions . He was liberal and a lover of all types of fine arts . He sang Old songs of Rafi and liked music and paintings . Theatre was his soul. And when he left Kashmir university possibly in 1978, I would always seek his welfare from Tej. Tej kept me informing that Safdar had joined as Press Information Officer West Bengal Information Centre at New Delhi and had married his companion Mala . Tej also informed later that Safdar had plunged into communist Party work and Theatre on full time basis leaving his government job. He had formed his own group called Jan Natya Manch or JANAM. 'Janam' gave about 4,000 performances of 24 street plays, performed mostly in and around working-class neighborhoods, factories and workshops.

He wrote plays which his group performed in colonies of poor workers . His plays like Machine , Kursi kursi kursi ,Gaaon Se Shehar Tak,Teen crore ,Aurat ,DTC ki Dhandhli, and some TV documentaries had become quite popular .Khilti Kaliyaan was a TV serial that he wrote for DOORDARSHAN. He also wrote some books for children. Safdar was also a sensitive poet who wrote poems as well. With all this work , safdar turned out to be a great crusader against the forces of communalism and Division in the country .

Safdar Hashmi was one of the most sought-after film and video narrators in India at that point of time. He told an interviewer that he had earned enough at documentary work to ''spend 11 months doing anything that the party wants me to do.''

And then one day in January 1989 , we heard the sad news that Safdar had been attacked by Political Hoodlums while he was performing his most popular Play Halla- Bol in Sahibabad .He succumbed to the fatal injuries of the attack. Safdar was thirty-four years old when he died.

His friends and admirers from the Artist fraternity started SAHMAT or Safder Hashmi Memorial Trust to carry forward his mission. Those associated with this trust include actress Shabana Azmi, Poet Javed Akhtar ,Noted Theatre Personality M K Raina , Actor Roshan Seth , Actor Om Puri,Moloyshree Hashmi and many more .SAHMAT  has been organizing Art shows , dance recitals , Classical music |concerts ,Theatre workshops , Nukkad Plays and  many more events  in the country( Attended by leading Artists  ) to promote a culture of tolerance and  also to   provide  space  to all forms of creative activity . 
Over the last several years SAHMAT has sold around 2 LAKH copies of several books they have published, and these include books for children, significant among which are two volumes of poetry and one anthology of short stories dedicated to promoting democratic and secular values by contemporary Hindi writers .Some of the books that I have seen coming out from SAHMAT are MANTO NAAMA ( PRICE Rs140/=), IPTA KI YAADEIN ( Price Rs140/=), AKBAR ( Price Rs60/=), GANDHI KE PUNARVICHAAR ( Price Rs50/=) and MUNSHI PREM CHAND ( PRICE Rs30/=) . These books have been published with a single purpose of making GREAT literature of the country available to people at large at very cheap rates.

Several audio-video cassettes of contemporary and classical poetry and music have also been brought out by SAHMAT to underline the commitment to cultural plurality.

I end this brief post with a Hindi poem Kitaabein ( books ) by Safdar Hashmi that I have rendered to simple English.

Kitaabein ( Books )

Books also communicate ,

Revealing tales of time gone by,

Tales of our world,

Stories of Human beings ,

Today’s tale or yesterday’s tale ,

Tales of every moment spent in happiness or pain ,

Flower laden tales ,

Cruel stories of Bombs ,

Stories of our victories and defeats ,

Tales of love and deceit ,

Love! Shall you not listen these tales ?

Love! shall you not go through these books ?

Look ! How eager these books are to communicate .

Look ! How Impatient these Books are to stay with you.

( Safdar Hashmi )

( Autar Mota …03.05.2013… Time 11.05 PM …. Good Night )

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REHMAN : THE UNFORGETTABLE ACTOR OF INDIAN CINEMA ..

                                                
                                                                  

REHMAN : THE UNFORGETABLE ACTOR OF INDIAN CINEMA ..

He belonged to a Liberal Pathan family that had come to India and settled at Jabalpore much before the partition of the country . The family traces its roots to King Amanullah of Afghanistan.

Rehman Khan ( 1921-1979 ) was born at Lahore but the family moved to Jabalpore where he graduated from Robertson college and joined Royal Indian airforce as a Pilot in1942 . He resigned from Air force in 1944 and moved to films . The first major role that he earned was for a movie called Shahjahaan . He starred in about 70 movies as a lead man looking strikingly handsome in appearance , suave and aristocratic .The memorable roles that he played are from movies like WAQT, SAHIB BIBI AUR GHULAM ,PYAASA and CHAUDHAVIN KA CHAAND . Who does not  remember the fantastic demeanor that he put up in these roles ? I still remember the scene, where a dead drunk Chhote sarkar (Rehman ) forces the pungent ferment ( Liquor ) down Meena Kumari’s gullet indicating  of  her unstoppable slip into addiction and defeat. And the song "Na Jao Saiyan Chhudaake Baiyan" picturised on Rehman and Meena Kumari is simply unforgettable.

Renowned Pakistani male kathak dancer Fasi Ur Rehman known as Chhote Birju Maharaj is his nephew .Another nephew of this  actor is Faisal Rehman noted TV and film personality from across the border . Massud ur Rehman ( father of Faisal and Fasi ur ) , his youngest brother is a well known cinematographer from Pakistan.

Rehman suffered three massive heart attacks in 1977 but died of throat cancer in 1979.

I end this post with lines from a poem Naya Ahang by noted urdu poet late Akhtar ul Iman (1915–1996).

Loghaat alfaaz Ka ek Dher hai Lafzon Pe mat Jaana ,

Nayaa Ahang Hotaa Hai Moratab Lafz o Maani Kaa ,

Mere Haq Mein abhi Kuchh Faisalaa Saadir Naa Farmaana ,

Mein Jiss Din Aaoongaa Taaza Loghaat Hamraah Laoongaa .

( Akhtar Ul Iman )

The dictionary is nothing but a heap of words,

Be Cautious and discreet !

A fresh design is in the offing to define everything anew.

Pray , Don’t pass any judgment at the instant .

The day I come my Lord ,

I shall bring along with me the new Lexicon.

( Autar Mota )

GOOD Night 10.45 PM 2.05.2013

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HOPSCOTCH OR SAZAALOANG PLAYING IN KASHMIR

                                                                           

SAZAALOANG ( Kashmiri ) or HOPSCOTCH

(Children playing sazaaloang or Hopscotch in a village in kashmir .A photograph of 1911 AD.)

To poor , Mother earth appears indifferent . This is not so . This indifference is always benign. She comes forward with everything .The birds , dancing Brooks, Shady trees , Green valleys and above all her own surface . She appears to say
“ Come child! Draw your dreams on my Body and play your games. Here am I . ”

This game is played world over . In India, hopscotch is also known as Stapu, or Ekhat-Dukhat (meaning one two houses) and in Kashmir children used to call it SAZAALOANG . The game has a similar principle all over that player must hop on one foot and must throw the marker in the right square. This mostly is a girls' game in India, though some boys also play it in many areas . It was a favourite game of children in kashmir . All of us have played it at some point of time during our childhood. 

It is widely believed that ancient Romans started this game wherefrom it travelled world over. To this photo i add a quatrain ( 4 Lines ) composed by me in kashmiri..

Prabhaatan Voal me Beyi Atlaas Zakhman
Ta Shaaman Burr mitchier Gham Koothireiv Zunn
Ba Tchaas Baagus Ta Poashuv Be-Rukhi kar
Dohay kar Graav Hardunn ’ Chhukh Ta Katie Chhukh’
( Autar Mota )

These mornings , Clad my wounds in silk .

And the evenings , Just opened storehouses of sadness .
I stepped into the garden and flowers turned indifferent ,
While this Autumn, at all times looked for and hunted me .

( Autar Mota   11 PM , 30.04.2013...  GOOD NIGHT .)

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