GHULAM NABI DOOLWAL ENTHRALLING POET AND MUSICIAN FROM KISHTWAR

" Goonga Nawaa Dil Jaane Te Meriye Gunga Nawaa " 
So would many elders in kashmir sing . At school, our principal sh Dina Nath Hanjura once explained that the lines are actually  from   a popular kishtwari song popularized   by singers who trekked the Sinthan Pass   of Kishtwar  to enter  Kashmir valley Via Koker Naag and  Daksum  area. Infact the history of kashmir is directly connected with the history of kishtwar.I quote canto  589 Taranga 7 of kalhana's Rajtarangini  ;

"The chief of kashtwata ( present day Kishtwar ) too ,Sri Uttam Raja presented themselves before the king "

The tallest saint  of the  Reshi order of kashmir popularly known as Nund Reshi actually belonged to  this area only  and his ancestors have been traced as  Thakur Rajputs .Similarly . Baba Zain Ud Din ( whose  ziyarat is presently at Aishmuqam )  belonged to a Rajput family  of Kishtwar  and his actual name was  Zia Singh  . History records that Zia Singh was blessed by Nund Reshi .  After embracing Islam ,he meditated in a cave at Aishmuqam which  place was even visited by the then ruler sultan Zain Ul Abdin. History again records that  during 1319 A. D.  ,  king Sahdeva of kashmir  fled to Kishtwar to save his life from the hurricane like attack of   Dulachu  a Tartar chief  from central Asia  .General Zorawar singh (1786-1841 )  trekked through this area to enter Suru valley to conquer    Ladakh for Raja Ghulab Singh of jammu.

This beautiful upland  valley of kishtwar falls in jammu division though a  Motorable road is under completion to connect it with kashmir valley Via kokkernaag. Perched at an altitude of 5400 feet approximately , Kishtwar town has a scenic location with Sylvan surroundings of forseted hills . River Chenab ( Chander Bhaaga mentioned in Rajtarangini by Kalhana ) flowing from neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, enters the area through Paddar ( known for Sapphire mines ) and   flows near by this  picturesque town.Other valleys in this area are Dachan , Marwah , Wadwan and Chatroo .The climate and altitude of  this area  is ideal for growth of fruits like apples , cherries , pears , walnuts , almonds.The soil of the plateau is also ideal for clutivation of    Saffron . Rajmash ( beans ) grown in Marwah are even exported  now.

In this beautiful land lies an area known as DOOL  where NHPC has also commissioned a  prestigious Hydro Electric Power project.  Incidentally Dool Hasti  happens to be the birth place of  Ghulam Nabi Doolwal  who enthralled entire state with   self created style of music popularized as CHALANT  as also with his  beautiful and progressive poetry . From Dool  he came to settle down  in  kishtwar  Town.  Ask any person in kishtwar town and he shall accompany you to the house of  Doolwal sahib. His Mazaar lies in the corner of the compound of his  house  .  I asked for his music and immediately i was shown the shop" Tanveer Electronics" at hospital chowk from where i purchased some old recorded music of this artist.So much love and regard flows for this artist in the town that one has to see it to believe it .I am informed by some residents of the town that Doolwal  Sahib helped every one who sought his help sometimes financially as well even when he himself continued to struggle .


Enter the world of Ghulam Nabi Doolwal (1925-1990).

                                                                     

"Sadiq  Sahib , Abhi Woh Paimaana Nahin Banaa hai Jiss se Aap Doolwal Sahib  ki Taaleem Naap Sakein " 

This what late Shri Durga Prasad Dhar ( DP Dhar Known Popularly  ) told to Shri Ghulam Mohd Sadiq  the then Chief Minister  when a senior Bureaucrat objected to his idea  of elevating Doolwal sahib to the post of cultural  Education Officer on a plea that Doolwal sahib was not qualified enough  for the post. . The  proposal for shifting cum elevation of renowned singer cum poet  was mooted by Late Sh D P Dhar and was finally approved by the cabinet.. In fact Doolwal sahib worked as  a  forester in Forest Department  and was posted at Kishtwar. He    had to visit srinagar quite often for his programmes. This frequent movement was inconvenient for the poet cum singer as well as for his  innumerable well wishers  in the valley.His  admirers and well wishers included Bakshi Ghulam Mohd , Sheikh Mohd Abdullah , Mirza Afzal Beg , Syed Mir Qasim ,  Poet Dina Nath Naadim ,  Poet Rehman Raahi , Pandit Prem Nath Bazaz and many more prominent personalities from kashmir .

Abba Ji to his children, Doolwal Sahib to innumerable admirers , Jaanbaaz Kishtwari to the writer fraternity , Ghulam Nabi Doolwal  had a stream of admirers in the state . The singer in him spread the  unique style  of  CHALANT    Music  in the entire length and breadth of our state .The poet in him had spiritual leanings . In srinagar , he would quite often visit his Peer Sidd Sahib for guidance.

                                                                              
I am informed by the family members that the then Director  Radio kashmir Sh P C Chaterji  ( He was posted in srinagar from 1953 to 1956 and  retired as  Director General AIR ) visited Kishtwar and was informed about a  magical young singer from Dool Hasti . Sh Chaterji immediately asked for the boy and heard him singing . Himself a   connoisseur of Music and fine arts , Shri Chaterji introduced   the boy to  Radio kashmir srinagar  and the rest is a history.

                                                               

 Gh Nabi Doolwal  remains a legend in kashmiri Music. He brought the freshness of CHALANT style music  to kashmir from across the   hills  and valleys of river Chenab . Though himself an accomplished poet , It goes to his credit that he sang the songs of almost all poets from valley.  He brought the freshness of  the poetry of many poets of  the then Doda district to kashmir valley  (especially    Rassa Javidaani, Margoob Banihaali , Manshoor Banihaali , Bashir  Bhaderwahi and Nishat Kishtwari ) and  made them known all over.    Ask any kashmiri about  Doolwal and  he shall immediately tell you  all or any one of his following compositions :-

Maanun Tse Peyee sahib Chhu Kunuyee Yaa yetti maanun yaa Taetti Maanun.


Naazneen Yaar Myaani Yee Chhu Mulaaqaat


Shabanamun Kar Ashqbaari Laalzaruss Chhaa Khabar 


Yaa Maag Sorrihay taa Phaagnuss Munz aghar Suu Myon Toth Yaar Iyahe .


Me Nish Seer Thaavun So Gayee Chein Marzee.


Yin Saa Chashmunn Srehh Karakh  Sahlaab Anahumm Yavanuss.


Lol Chonuy Chhum barith Jismuss Taa Beyee Jaanuss Andhur 


Beyee Pheur Sontuk Vaav Bahaar Aav Bahaar Aav


zamaanay Poak Naa Hamdum Toateiy  Kyaah Guvv.


Husanuss Taa loluss Chhaa Kamee Naazunn Taa Niyazunn


Ye Kyaah Gayyo Me Taa tuss meul 


Az Roaz Saanie Dilbur Myaane


Badaam Folai laej badaamvaari  


Gazlee Thodh Pahaan Bahar vuchh zi hey, Lol Saazuk Assar Vuchh zi Hey 


So popular were these songs that these entered the household  of kashmiris . Young and old cherished them . These  songs were  sung in marriages . They were sung in Mehfils . Illiterate women sang them doing daily Chores .Peasants , Teachers , Boatmen paddling in placid DAL LAKE   sang them .Traders , Artisans, Babus , Officers , Bureaucrats  sat together in Mehfils to listen to the soul satisfying singing of this great artist. Every singer copied his style  to sing in Mehfils . kashmiri Pandit women would play Hikkutt in Marriages  singing his songs . Muslim women would sing his songs while   performing  Roff  on various festivals . 


CHALANT
It goes to the credit of this great artist to have introduced a unique style and assembly of musical instrument in kashmiri singing which ultimately came to be known as CHALANT . CHALANT became immediate success. kashmiris found it a new change from the traditional CHAKRI  .Doolwal sahib  made liberal use of harmonium , Flute , Tabla , Ektaara , Glasses , Teen Pyaala , Sarangi and Banjo while singing in CHALANT style.


"While retaining some basic features of kashmiri style of singing , CHALANT  has introduced melody  of the  Hindustaani classical music . CHALANT is a MADHYAA  LAI   of singing with  Proper SUR , TAAL and  CHAAL yet a singer while singing any Gazal in CHALANT has to keep his breath continuous and uninterrupted and unfragmented unlike light Music  where a singer is free to sing in fragments . We can say that  CHALANT is a forceful Melody presented with full devotion of mind and thought where a listner smells the feeling of spritualism . So diffcult is to sing CHALANT just like to win a wrestling . It is a well dressed presentation and has a definite musical format and design . You must listen Haa Yaar Mokhtaa Haar ( O friend ! My garland of pearls ) sung by Doolwal sahib in CHALANT style  . It shall transport you to another world."

This is what Dr Khursheed Ahmed Bhat ( Husband of Alam Ara Jaanbaaz and  son in law of the late artist) told me . To my surprise i found this doctor himself an accomplished singer and a harmonium player .

"Only 30 percent of what my father wrote as a poet  appears in his Book  "PHOLVIN SANGAR ". The rest is yet to be published.He was an affectionate father . My sisters Shamima Ji ,Zamruda ji , Alam Ara ji and Jahaan Ara ji have profound knowledge of music and poetry though Alam Ara and Jahan Ara sing and are approved Radio and  Television artists .Believe me  when i say that Music runs in our blood. " said Zubair Janbaaz son of this legendary artist to me .Zubair is an engineer by profession.

                                                                                     
                                      
" Our brother  is also an accomplished singer . He is shy of singing on the stage. We love his musical sense . You must listen to his singing and style. As child he would accompany his Abbaji  who also encouraged him to sing and play some musical instruments. I remember some  closest friends  and admirers of Abba Ji were  kashmiri Pandits. Abbaji 's popularity touched its zenith during Jashn e kshmir Festival  organized by Bakshi sahib. He was praised by Begum Akhtar sahiba liberally.Some of his intimate friends with whom he shared his pain and happiness were late Abdul Gani Zargar from Kishtwar , Master sona ullah teacher ( he also played Banjo in his troupe) Ghulam Nabi Ahangar , Sham ji ( Brother of Miss Mehmooda Ahmed Ali   the then Principal  Govt Women College Srinagar ), Dr Bashir Ul Haq from Raithan Budgaam kashmir and many more . I do not remember many names at this moment. . " This is what Alam Ara ji  added   to my knowledge about Doolwal sahib and his  family .

                                                                        
I am also informed by many lovers of this artist that he got a rough deal from establishment in terms of recognition of his music and poetry  .Though patted  regularly by Naadim sahib and  Prof Rehman Raahi  for his poetic talents , it was only a bureaucrat  Pervaiz Dewan( IAS ) who pooled  all his efforts in ensuring grant of the much deserved recognition in the shape of   Governor's Award to  this artist  . I am informed that Pervaiz Dewan has even translated a good number of poems from his book " Pholvin Sangar   "


Doolwal As A Poet


Though Doolwal wrote poetry  in a prolific style and he could have sung only his compositions , it goes to the  greatness of this artist that he sang   almost all  other kashmiri poets . If he sang Tassavuf he also sang lovelorn songs .He never projected  the  poet in  him while singing in Mehfils . Some of the  most popular songs composed By Doolwal sahib belong to  Rassa Javidaani , Rehman Raahi ,Margoob Banihali , Dina Nath Naadim and Mehjoor.He is certainly progressive  though he never belonged to the Marxist idealogy in the strict sense of the word progressive  as understood in Urdu poetic circles.He wrote some of the beautiful Naats in praise of  Hazrat Ali ( PBUH ) and Prophet Mohammed ( PBUH). I quote :

Gusst Taa valie Valie vaav Myaaniss Mahjabeenuss vun salaam.

Dil   Pareshaan Chhum Gomutt  Shaah e Madeenuss vun Salam.

He also wrote that though Paths may be different yet the  ultimate goal of all religions of the world is common. I quote 


Naavun Chhaa farak matalab Chhu Kunuyee 
Maanun Tse peyee sahib Chhu Kunuyee 


He firmly believed in Massavaat or equality of mankind . i quote


Oonch Neech Maa Chhu Ravaa ,
Ittehaaduk yee chhu Mudaa 
Assal kuthh Tarriy naa fikri
 Kuthh Chha vanaan Massawaat 
Naazneen yaar Myaani yee chhu Mulaqaat.


Zoonie laggi choonie jaraan 
Az pagaah taetti Gharr ti karan
Jaanbaaz yetti Chhi Vachhaan 
Vini Ti Panein Zaat Paat 
Naazneen yaar Myaani yee chhu Mulaqaat.
If  Abdul Ahaad Azaad wrote Bata koor ( kashmiri Pandit Girl  ) and Mehjoor wrote Greis koor ( Village Girl  ) Doolwal sahib also wrote Musalmaan koor ( A  Muslim Girl  ). I quote some lines from this poem:


Vattan Pukh Tse Phokh dith Musalmaan koorie
Yeh Chhuyee Khoar Daalaan Tse Shaitaan koorie.


One composition that i have heard from a private collector is just touching . The poet appeals to almighty ;
Inaayat kar Ta az parvardigaara 
Yeh daamun Bhar Ta az Parvardigaara 


Seythaa Vodhbhav chhu Logmutt Kafan tsoorun
Raeneimut  Jaam Mastoorun Taa Hooran
Ye Anigott sar ta Az parvardigaara .


His love song are a treat . I quote 


Yin saa Chashmunn Sreh karakh 
Sahlaab Anahumm Yavanuss 
Yin saa Vosh Traavukh Lageim 
Mohabbat Toofanuss Taawanuss .
 another popular song composed by Doolwal sahib and  sung by late Ghulam Hassan sofi is :


Zamaanai Poak Naa humdum Totee kyaah Guvv.
Tamiss gai zulf Barhumm Totee kyaah Guvv.
Gustee nai   Saaf   Dil Dittah  laaf   Saasa,
Naatiev  Chettah  Aab e Zum Zum Totee Kyaah Guvv


So long so much for this  Icon  . Can i make a request to Authorities for posthumous recognition of his work and talent ? shall the university of kashmir institute A Doolwal Chair in his memory ? Can he not be awarded a Honrory Doctorate posthumously   for the work he did to enrich kashmiri music? Is he not eligible for a Padamshri award  posthumously ? Can we not remember him in any manner ?I also end up with a Quartain of faiz Ahmed faiz which goes as under ;


Hum Khastaa Tanon se mohatsibon
Kyaa Maal o Manaal kaa poochhte ho
Jo Umar Se Hum ne Bhar paaya 
sab saamne laaye daitein hain.
Daamun me hai Musht e Khaak e Jigar ,
saagar Me hai  Khoon e hasarat e Mai,
Lo Hum Ne Daamun jhaad Diyaa ,
Lo Jaam ultaaye deitein Hain.
( Faiz Ahmed Faiz )


We are the enfeebled ,
What is there to ask about our assets , O censors ?
All that life has proffered us , 
we are holding up for scrutiny:
In the hem , a handful of Heart's dust ,
In the goblet, the blood  of yearning 's wine .
look , here we empty our hem,
and here we upturn the wine glass .                                                   

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\. )