‘What if you come to my grave stone,
no roses, though fresh can resurrect dead!’
Lines from a poem of late shafi shaida
Shafi shaida (1941-2010) is dead . I had the opportunity of meeting him twice . I first heard him in Broadway hotel in 1976 or 1977. He was in congress party at that time . Possibly late Giani zail singh (president of India ) had come to srinagar and there was a function in Broadway Hotel. Shaida was a young man at that time . He spoke what he felt. He criticized his party’s leadership to the surprise of the organizers and the Guests . later I came to know that this man was not going well with late Sh. Sanjay Gandhi . He once came to the bank for some work and I happened to talk to him. He had a profound and unbiased knowledge of Kashmir history . I found him a sensitive poet and an excellent orator. Shaida was awarded prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for his Poetic collection in Kashmiri (Amaar) in 1992. He practiced law and was an avid golfer .
I am also touched by the act of Muslim employees of LAWADA srinagar who came out in full support of their colleague and officer Satish kumar karihaloo (Executive Engineer ) during the critical days before his death. This young officer suffered a brain hemorrhage and was in comma for five days . Not only did his entire staff keep round the clock vigil in SKIMS but they also made all arrangements for a graceful cremation as per Hindu rites for this noble officer . Yes Irfan Yaseen chairman lake and water ways Development Authority( LAWDA ) came out to lead his staff for this noble act.
“I have lost one of my hardworking and honest engineer ” said Irfan yaseen with moist eyes.
“He was a fatherly figure for us ” said another officer of LAWDA. Shri karihaloo belonged to Habba kadal and had migrated out during the turmoil. He came on promotion and became a popular officer in LAWDA srinagar .
“ I can not forget the gesture of my muslim brothers . They shared our grief and sorrow and the religious responsibilities .” said his new Delhi based brother Dr P l karihaloo . Who says kashmiriyat is dead ? I am reminded of popular kashmiri song of our youth
“TARRUKH VAASEI PEYEE LAACHHEI GAYEE LAAL ”
“Stars are shooting down on earth
O God! our brilliant sons are going to dust ”
Peace be to the souls of Sh. karihaloo and Sh. Shafi Shaida . Enjoy this post with some four views of srinagar city and lines from a poem of Ali sardar jafri.
Sitting under tree shades,
You, guests of time.
You, poor souls,
where are you coming from,
Where are you heading?
Is this vast land
A desert of grief,
A jungle of fierce sun,
A river of thirst?
What lies beyond?
Stones or springs,
Flames or dew,
Song or lament?
Perhaps, a wizard,
Sitting on the doorway
Of the setting sun
Admires his magic.
Stars journey
In the pathway of the night,
And the desert wind,
Drunk, sings melodies.
A candle burns high
In the breast of every particle.
A garden of dreams looms On the tip of every thorn.
What do you say
My mad passion of love,
Should we head towards
Where the sun has set,
Or where it will rise?
Cups of flowers
Hold the wine of dew,
And the morning breeze
Swaggers drunk.
Tomorrow, neither you nor I
Will fill the lap of dawn.
Only a few footsteps
Will remain on the breast of sand.
People will gather again
In tree shades.
Sitting under tree shades,
You, guests of time,
You, poor moths,
Burning over the lamp of desire,
Where are you coming from,
Where are you heading?
(Ali Sardar Jafri )
CHINAR SHADE by Autarmota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.
Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.
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