DOWN TOWN VIEWS OF SRINAGAR

Dears

Enjoy 9 down town views. you can see Vitasta at Chattabal. you can see the Chatta kadal ( Near Chatta Bal ). you can see my favourite spot the Batyar temple Ghats at Ali Kadal. A view of Batyar temple Ali Kadal from New Ali kadal Bridge has also been uploaded. Dastgeer sahib ziyarat at Khanyar has also been uploaded . A view of jogi Lanker bridge of Rainawari has also been uploaded. Also uploaded is the Baba Dharm Dass temple at Nawapora near Dalgate - Bar Bar shah Road crossing .This temple is on main road enroute to Rainawari from Dalgate .

A view of new Nawapora Bridge enroute Rainawari can also be seen .The old bridge at Nawapora has been dismantled to make way for two way traffic .A photograph of Dal Gate Market has also been uploaded . The chemist shop of DHAR Brothers ( a Kashmiri Pandit ) can also be seen . This shop is one of the busiest shops on account of a reputation enjoyed by the proprietors that genuine medicines are being sold by them. Till my next blog is uploaded , keep smiling and enjoy some more lines from Naadim sahib's celebrated Anti war poem "Me Chhum Aash Paghich" . How nicely Nadim sahib connects the return of a father to his family with clouds of war hovering over the heads of poor innocent people ..I remain indebted to Academy of art , culture and languages J&K for the photograph of Nadim sahib. Here goes the translation of this great poem:-

I am Hopeful of tomorrow.

How nice ! Our chlidren are going to receive their father tomorrow .

I shall rush to receive him the moment he calls me by name on arrival.

Holding him in my embrace , i shall dance around him in delight .

I shall make him to sit on flooring of New Grass mat.

How nice , our Children are going to receive their father tomorrow.

I shall wash his Feet , He must be tired

I shall also lull him to sleep .

LATER i shall open the wounds of my heart before him.

Children are going to receive their father tomorrow.

It is rumoured that war is imminent .

Oh God! It should not take place tomorrow .

it should never take place .

I am hopful of a tomorrow

Tomorrow our world is going to be SUNLIT.

( Translation A K Mota )

SOME TYPICAL KASHMIR VIEWS 5

Dears

Enjoy some typical kashmir views. Children coming out of the school at 3 PM photographed by me at Kunangam near Kupwara. The host asking the cook to put another GUSHTAABA piece to his friend . This is common practice with kashmiris. A police man leaves his gun aside and rushes to take NIAZ ( piece of Mutton ) from a devotee at SHAHE HAMDAAN Ziyarat. A woman devotee about to bow at the entrance of Shahe Hamdan Ziyarat. Grave stone cutter of Karan Nagar in action at his shop.Piegeons at Shahae Hamdan Ziyarat. A Kashmiri Dry Vegetable shop at Bohri Kadal . Copper utensil sellers at Maharaj Ganj sleep inside their shops due to mid day heat in kashmir . The temperature rose to 33 degrees in July this year . Very unusual.Hawan get together at Zeethyar in June 2009. School Buses Waiting for boys of CMS Tyandale Biscoe school Lal chowk .Permit me to say some words about GULZAAR Sahib.Once during a long waiting at NewDelhi Air Port Lounge , I stole the opportunity to talk to film Lyricist GULZAAR sitting nearby . His reluctance to talk melted as soon as he came to know that I was a kashmiri. His knowledge about Kashmir amazed me .Gulzaar sahib Knows HEEMAL NAAGRAI the folk lore of kashmir ..He knows where AHARBAL waterfall is . He knows ARU valley near Pahelgham.. He knows Ambri , American , Maharaji , Hazratbali and Delicious varieties of apples of kashmir . He knows about the jeep ride of Bakshi Ghulam Mohd over Frozen DAL surface . He has kept himself updated about every aspect of kashmir.What a wonderful man he is ? I may inform my readers that Lyricist GULZAAR “s real name is Sampuran Singh Kalra . Gulzar Sahib worked as assistant to BIMAL ROY the Doyen of Indian Cinema. It was during the making of Bandhini , late Shailendra requested Bimal Roy to introduce one song by this young man in the movie . Pat came reply from the Mastero :-
“ Shailendra ji Koi Kaam ka Baat Karo .”
Shailendra then Read the song to Bimal Roy who heard it with rapt attention . He immediately asked for recording of the song . So entered Sampuran singh Kalra in the film industry as Lyricist GULZAAR. The song “Mora Gora Ang Leyee le , Mohe Shyaam Rang Deye De. Chhup Jaon gi Raat hi me ,Mohe Pee kaa Sang deyee de ”continues to be all time favourite of many generations therafter.

Gulzar wrote many songs in films . He directed some films . He wrote screenplays for a number of films . He has recently been honoured with OSCAR ( Academy award ) for his song Jai Ho. For certain I can say that this is not his best song. Lyrics wise, Not a very good song altogether . Whatever people say about his man , I am touched by one of his songs for bollywood movie RUDAALI Picturised on Dimple Kapadia and sung to perfection by Lata Ji . YAARA SILI SILI . Here goes the song and its English translation :-.

Yaara Sili Sili
Dola sili Sili
Birha ki Raat Ka Jalna

Yeh Bhi koi Jeena ?
Yeh Bhi koi Marna ?

Tooti Huyee Chudiyon se ,
Jodoon mein Kalai re.
Pichhali gali Me Jaane,
Kya Chhod aayee Mein .
Beeti Hui Galiyon Se
Phir Se Guzarnaa .

Yaara Sili Sili
Dola sili Dola Sili


Pairon Me na Saaya ,
Sar pe na sain re .
Mere saath Jaaye na ,
Meri Parchhayee re.
Bahar Ujaala hai ,
Ander Veeraana.
Yaara sili Sili
Birha Ki Raat Ka Jalna
( Gulzaar )


Love ! this separation from thee
Is like night long smouldering of my being .
Pity this living !
Pity this type of Dying !
I decorate my arms with broken bangles ,
I know nothing about what I left behind in
The lanes and paths of my old existence.
Don’t make me to tread the lanes left behind
Love this separation from thee
Is like night long smouldering of my being .
My feet are shoeless
No godly hand touches my head
My own shadow
Refuses to accompany me .
Love Don’t go by the external glitter of my being
A desert lies within this heart!.

Love ! this separation from thee
Is like night long smouldering of my being .
(Translation A K Mota )

You deserved much more from life Gulzaar Sahib. Long life and good health to you.

warning

All photographs bear copyrights. May not be downloaded for reproduction , reuse or any commercial use without the explicit permission of the Blog writer.

GULMARG SNOW AND POETRY

Dears
On persistent demand i am uploading GULMARG once more . The write up was deleted by me last month.Some more Photographs and a poem of Ali Sardar Jafri is the new value addition to the old wite up..
GULMARG or the charming Meadow of flowers is a famous Hill resort of Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 2653 meters ( approx 8700 feet ) from sea level, the place is about 52 Kms from Srinagar city and about an Hour’s car drive Via Baramulla Srinagar Highway lined with majestic and tall poplars . The place has attraction all . One can see snow even in June , ski or sledge down the beautiful slopes ,enjoy horse rides to Khilanmarg or Alpather or Kongdoori and literally hide in a blanket of thick clouds dancing down the surrounding hills. The dance of the clouds and the white blanket of thick snow all over in GULMARG has also been beautifully picturised in WAQT a movie by BR Chopra. The romantic song

“Maine Dekha Hai ki Kohre se Bhari Vaadi Mein,
Tum Yeh Kehti Ho Chalo Aaj Kahin Kho Jayein
Mein Yeh Kehtaa hoon ki Khone ki Zaroorat Kya Hai
Aud ke Dhoondh Ki Chhaadar Ko Yaheen So Jayein
( Sahir Ludhianavi ) )

composed by SAHIR was picturised here at Gulmarg on Sunil Dutt and sadhna .
Further the lines
“ Aanch Dene laga Kadmon ke Taley Barf Ka Farsh ,
Aaj Jaana ki Mohabbat me Hai Garmi kitni
Sange Mar Mar Ki Tarah Sakht Badan Me Tere
Aa Gayee hai mere Chhu Laine se Narmee Kitni.“
(Sahir Ludhianavi )
of this song were picturised exactly at present day GONDOLA base station . Late BR CHOPRA revealed in an interview later that Sahir had insisted on Picturising all the romantic songs of this movie in GULMARG only . It is amazing to enjoy dramatic changes in climate in just 12 hours or on same day over here . We may have rain or snow , satisfying bright sunshine and even darkness at noon due to intense black clouds all on the day of visit . The place offers variety of Hotels to tourists . Government accommodation is also available at reasonable rates. World’s highest green golf course at GULMARG attracts people from all over the globe . A winter Ski festival is also held every year in GULMARG.

GULMARG is also famous these days on account of the GONDOLA or the cable car Project. Phase I of the project connected Gulmarg with Kongdoori . Kongdoori lies at an altitude of 3099 meters from sea level. The cable car or the gondola takes about 8 minutes to go up to Kongdoori at a speed of 0 to 5 metres per second covering a slope distance of 2.4Kms.1500 persons can be transported to Kongdoori in one hour with present capacity of the GONDOLA. Altitude of LTP and UTP in Phase I is 2699 and 3099 meters respectively. This cable car is run by J&K state cable car Corporation Ltd. and has been designed and commissioned by Pomagalski of France. With the commissioning of phase II of this project from Kongdoori to Apharwat in may 2005, the Gulmarg Gondola becomes one of the highest Gondola in the world..A to and fro ride in Phase I costs Rs300/= while from KONGDOORI to APHARWAT one has to pay Rs500/= more for too and fro ride for Phase II. Snow shoes , Overcoats and Fur clothing is available on rent at nominal rates at the landing station in Gulmarg. To know more about this project one ca log on to www.jkccc.com or speak directly to office of Cable car corporation limited SRINAGAR or GULMARG on tel Nos 0191-2435837 and 01954-254475./254503 respectively. enjoy the views and also enjoy the lines of ALI Sardar Jafri on kashmir . Here they go :-

Tu mujhay itnay pyaar say mat dekh,
Teri palkon kee naram saayaye main
Dhoop bhi chandni si lagti hai
Aur mujhay kitni door jaanaa hai
Rait hai garm,Paon kay chhaalay
Yoon dehktay hain,jaisay angaaray
Pyaar ki yeh nazar rehay na rehay
Kaun dasht-e-wafa main jalta hai
Teray dil ko khabar rahay na rahay
Tu mujhay itnay pyaar say mat daikh
-------------------------------------

(Sardar Jafri)

Don't look at me so lovingly.
In the gentle shadows of your eye lashes
the sunlight turns into moonlight.
I've yet to go far off,
the sand beneath my feet is hot,
and the boils on my feet
feel like red hot coal.
Whether love lingers or not,
who wants to get burned
in the desert of faithfulness?
Whether you remember me or not,

Don't look at me so lovingly.
A K Mota

Warning

Photographs uploaded bear copyrights of the blog writer. These may not be downloaded for reproduction , reuse or commercial usage without explicit permission .

VIEWS FROM MY ROOM WINDOW

Dears

we have been having rains in valley for the last two days . Today morning, when i opened my window , every thing was rain washed . The trees , Birds , Roads , Houses and every thing had drenched itself in the showers overnight . Could some one tell INDRA ,the rain god to wash the unfortunate spots still visible in the body of our mother Kashmir? .Till that happens keep smiling through my Blog. Enjoy the views from my room window with four lines from a poem of Mahadevi Verma .. The houses belong to family of late Bakshi Ghulam Mohd's relations . The huge building on national Highway is the G B Pant Children Hospital opposite to the house where i live . A chinar is sprouting up in the lawn of my immediate neighbour. Shankracharya temple view is from my room window. So are the piegeons on electric wires leading to my room .

Hans Uthate man Me Aadr Nain

Dhul Jaata Honthon se Vishaad

Chhaa Jaata Jeevan Me vasant

Jo Tum Aa jaate Ek Baar

( Mahadevi Verma )

In a just one moment my tearful eyes would turn happy,

My arid lips would also lose their bitterness ,

Spring season would again visit my life ,

Love ! Should you visit me once !

a k mota

SUN SET AND DAL

I am an admirer of the literary stature of Allama Iqbal . The philosophical content of Some of his poems is so tall as to engulf entire Mankind . I am equally touched by the poems of Pablo Neruda , Ali sardar Jafri , Faiz Ahmed Faiz ,Parveen Shakir ,Hari Vansh Rai Bachan , Mahadevi Verma ,Qazi Nazrul Islam , Shiv Kumar Batalvi and many more Indian and kashmiri poets . I shall introduce all these poets one by one in my blog. Frankly ,Allama remains my all time favourite . Enjoy some lines from his great poem SHIKWA ( Complaint to god ).In these lines Allama builds context to lodge a formal protest to God . The lines also present poet's dire quest to know the invisible force that runs this universe . Enjoy with DAL Views.

He Bajaa Shewa i Tasleem mein Mashur hain Humm,

Qissa i Dard Sunaate Hain Ki Majboor Hain Humm,
Saaze Khamosh Hein Faryaad se Maamur Hain Humm,
Naala Aataa Hai Agar Lab Pe To Maazur Hain Humm,
Aey Khuda Shikwaa i Arbaabe wafa Bhi Sunn Le ,
Khugar e Hamd se Thodaa Gilaa Bhi Sun Le

( Allama Iqbal .)

SRINAGAR RAILWAY STATION

Dears

The 364 kms Rail link project between UDHAMPUR and BARAMULLA ((Srinagar) is being jointly executed by IRCON and KONKAN Railways at an estimated cost of 5700 crores. The alignment of this link is different from the existing National Highway connecting Jammu and Srinagar. From Udhampur this track shall move to Reasi and then to Sangaldhan and Gool Gulab Garh area wherefrom it shall come to Lawla. From Lawla the track is aligned to Banihal Town . A new tunnel, almost completed at Banihal, shall take the track to Valley. Jammu Udhampur link is since operational and so is the Anantnag Baramulla link. Udhampur- Katra link is slated to be made functional wef March 2010.Katra- Qazigund link is perhaps the toughest in terms of track creation on high mountains , Valleys and rivers and is being executed by KONKAN Railways. This track involves construction of 109 Tunnels , 164 major and 620 minor bridges including one over river CHENAB 380 metres high possibly the highest in the world . The final link is the 12.5 Kms Tunnel penetrating Pir Panchal range and connecting valley with rest of the country. Just 2 kms of the Tunnel is incomplete at the moment .Under all probabilities ,the link from Banihal to Baramulla shall be complete in July 2010 .The project in itself is an engineering MARVEL.•

Enjoy some views of Srinagar Railway station which is perhaps the best railway station in the country in terms of lay out and Architecture.The five-storey building of Nowgam (name of Srinagar’s railway station), is 8 km from the main city. The station looks like a royal court. The extensive use of wood, a hallmark of Kashmiri architecture, can be seen at this station. The Walnut wood panels and the tastefully carved wooden pillars present a royal ambience at the station. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is planning to build a hotel around here in the next three years. Though main building of the station has since been constructed , yet many other buildings like the staff quarters , office complexes are under construction. The Railway station has Exquisite Chandeliers , walnut wood carving and neat and clean ambience . one can approach the station through the Srinagar - Baramulla Bye pass branching out at Athwajan or via Natiora or Rawal Pora as well.You can see a huge SAMAVAR carved on a walnut wood panel in exquisite kashmiri syle. In our school days one of my class fellows Mr Zahoor Ahmed Shair would sing LADISHAH based on arrival of first Aeroplane in Kashmir :

HAWAI JAHAAZ Aav Mulke Kashmir
Yimav Vuchh timav Kor Tobah Takseer .

The arrival of the train is different as almost all Kashmiris are already used to train Travel. The Bogies of these train were brought by road to Kashmir and the travel in this train is comfortable . One can reach Baramulla from Anantnag in just one and a half hour . People have started to commute distances through this fast link.
A K Mota

Warning
All The Photographs bear copyrights of the blogwriter and may not be downloaded for reproduction or reuse without the specific permission of the blog writer.