WHO ARE BHATS OR BUTTS OR BHATS IN THIS SUBCONTINENT ?

Bhatt or Butt or Bhat is a popular kashmiri surname . The word has Sanskrit origin meaning  scholar or a learned man. It is believed that  people of this clan were descendants  of saints of Vedic period who actually lived on the banks of river sarsawati. When this river turned dry they moved towards north and settled in kashmir valley. From Kashmir, this clan moved to other areas of the subcontinent especially to  entire India and places falling   presently in Pakistan. After the entry of Islam in kashmir valley (early  14^th centuary ) , a large number of Bhats converted to this new faith and kept on moving out of valley for one reason or the other like frequent droughts . Bhats or Butts or Bhatts are presently settled in Gujrat , Haryana , Rajasthan , Madhya Pradesh , Uttar Pradesh , Bihar , West Bengal , Maharashtra , Goa , Karnatka , and Andhra Pradesh . The Goud Brahmins , Bhattmewada Brahmins , Gurjargaur Brahmins , Konkanastha Brahmins , Smartha Brahmins , Havyaka Brahmins , Shivalli Brahmins , Madhva Brahmins  and Daivajna Brahmins are actually Bhatts or Butts or Bhats .One can find them everywhere in the subcontinent. Their contribution to  Science  , sports , Politics , Religion , Films , Banking,  Music , Philosophy  and other intellectual pursuits is second to none .  Some Prominent Bhatts , Butts or Bhats are :-

Sports

Cricket

1 Raju Bhatt , Rujul Bhatt  , Pramila Bhatt  , D S Bhatt  and Subash  Bhatt from India while Arif Butt,  Ijaz Butt,Salman Butt, Hussain Butt  and Shujaud Din Butt  from Pakistan.

Other sports

1 Gh Mohd Butt or Gama Pehlwan and  Zubair Butt or Jhaara Pehlwan   well known  wrestlers from Pakistan . Yakoob Butt Footballer from Pakistan.

Politics

1 Nawaz sharif Butt ( former Prime Minister ) and  his brother Shahbaaz Sharif Butt Chief Minister of Punjab  from Pakistan .

2 Mahesh Dass Bhat Wazir e Azam in the court of  Mughal King Akbar

3 Ashok Bhatt Gujrat Politician

 Music

1Balwant Rai Bhatt Hindustani classical music composer and Vocalist.

2 Vishwa Mohan Bhatt Instrumentalist from India 

3 Ali Azmat Butt Pakistani Rock star

Painters

1 Asim Butt painter and sculptor from Pakistan

 2 Jyoti Bhatt Painter  from India .

Scientist , Mathematician , Film and  Media  Personalities    and  some people from Art and literature.

1 Arya Bhatta  Early Indian mathematician and astronomer .

1 Bhattotpala 10 th centuary astronomer from India .

2 Parvez Butt former chairman Pakistan atomic energy Commission .

3 Ambreen Butt Pakistani Model.

4 Ela Bhatt Founder SEWA India .

5 Mahesh Bhat Noted film, Director

6Bhavana  Bhatt Bollywood actress

7 jayarasi Bhatt 8^th century Philosopher

8 Prajana Bhatt 16^th  century Historian

9Jayanta Bhatt 9 th centuary kashmiri Poet and philosopher .

10 Puran Bhatt well Known puppeteer from India .

11 Kumarila Bhatt 8 th centuary Phiilosopher and Mimansa Scholar from India .

12 Shree Bhatt   famous 15^th century Physician from Kashmir  who treated King zain ul Abdin.

13 Bhana Bhatt 7^th century Sanskrit scholar .

Others

1 O P Bhatt  Present Chairman State Bank of India .

2 Ajay Bhatt  well known Computer Architect.
3 Pandit Sahaj Bhat and Pandit Sham Lal Bhat renowned Physicians
and Hakeems from Kashmir .

Surprisingly Butt is again a surname whose origin in Europe is traced to England. It  is derived from old French word BUT  meaning target . Some believe that it is a distorted  form of the word Bath meaning Bible songs.  Are these Butts of Europe also from the Bhat  clan of India  which  lived on the Banks of Sarsawti river ?  Historians mostly say   emphatic NO.  Then We have Butts in France , Germany and USA  as well . I can quote well known persons from Europe with Butt Surname

1 Issac Butt well known Irish leader

2. Maggie Butt  British poet .

3 Gavin Butt British Art historian .

4 Peter Butt American Film maker .

5 Alfred butt British theatre Entrepreneur

6 Brent Butt Canadian actor and writer .

7 Len Butt Footballer from UK

8 Miriam Butt Linguist from Germany

9 Harry Butt cricketer from UK

10 Tom Butt Americam Politician in California .

11 Tameka Butt Australian Association  Footballer .


Apne  har Ek  lafz   ka   Khud     Ainaa  ho jaoonga
Us ko chhotaa keh ke Mein  kaise Baraa ho jaoonga
Mujh ko chalne do Akelaa  hai abhi mera safar
Rastaa Rokaa gayaa   To  qafilaa ho jaoonga 
(  Prof .Waseem Barelavi )

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TWO POLOGROUND VIEWS OF SRINAGAR AND FOOTBALL

Sometimes I think that this living is just like playing Football. Players keep running in the field .They raise lot of dust playing individual or supportive game . They also  play sincerely. A couple of them just come close to the goal post and push the ball inside .They get Noticed , Cheered and finally stand out in the crowd. Those who come close to goal post are the ones who dare it with dash for they know what awaits them if they miss it .Many people have this DASH.whenever I interact with such scorers I salute them for they make me to feel where I am. Never mind ; for the game to go on , we need other players as well . Not all can be a Ronaldo or Baichung Bhutia . The game needs other players equally.

Zara sa qatraa  kaheen Aaj agar ubhartaa hai ,
Samandron hi ke lahje may baat kartaa hai .
Zameen ki kaisi waqaalat ho phir nahin chaltee .
Jab Aasmaan se koi faislaa utartaa hai .
( Prof. Waseem Barelavi )

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DAL LAKE SRINAGAR VIEW 25.08.2010

                                                                                  

Mili Hawaaon Mein Uddaney Ki Woh sazaa mujh Ko,
   Ki Mein Zameen ke Rishton se Kat gayaa Yaaron.
  Woh Be khayaal musaafir Mein Raasta yaron
Kahaan tha bas may mere uss ko roknaa yaaron
(  Prof .Waseem Barelavi )






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MID DAY VIEW OF DODERHAAMA MARKET GANDERBAL KASHMIR AND A POEM OF ALI SARDAR JAFRI

Hamaare shehare dil mein Ek sifaarat khaana e Jaan hai ,

Sifaarat jiss kaa Parcham diljalon Ki Aahe sozaan hai ,

Buss Ek dastoore Ishqo aashqi Jo Meer e Samaan Hai ,

Yahaan Aane Kaa raastaa koochaa e Chaak e Girebaan hai ,

yahaan Hai Roshini Tanhaa..Chiraag e Chashm e Purnumm ki ,
Yahaan Aao To Khull Jaayengi Raahein Saare Aallum Ki ,

yahaan kashmir bhi Dhaka bhi hai kaashi bhi Kaaba Bhi ,

Zameen kaa Husn bhi Aur Jalwaa e Arshe Muaalaa Bhi ,

Yahaan jhelum Bhi dejlah  bhi hai danube O Gangaa Bhi,

Aqab mein Door tak Failaa Huvaa Dasht e tamanaa Bhi,

Sarod e manzil o Maa kibriyaa Uss ka taranaa Hai ,

Haqeeqat hai Faqat Insaan baaki sab Fasanaa !!!

( ali Sardar jafri )

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JYOTI KALASH CHHALKE AND TWO KASHMIR VIEWS

                                                                                
                                               JYOTI KALASH CHALKE .

The poem was written by Pandit Narendra sharma and later picturised on Meena kumari in Bhabi Ki Chudiyaan . What a wonderful Picturisation was done to this poem with Meena ji presenting the morning chores of an Indian women like spraying water in the house for cleaning , brooming the Courtyard, performing Tulsi Puja followed by Puja in her room and then proceeding to the kitchen for feeding the family. In all frames taken for this song picturisation, rays of light were shown piercing and demonstrative, in tune with the mood of the song. I salute the director and the camera man who did this superb job in absence of any supportive technology at that time .Pandit Narendra sharma made a big bang in Indian Cinema by introducing a song in Chaste Hindi . It became an Instant Hit Film Songs at that time were written by established urdu poets only. . The song was set to tune by Sudhir Phadke and sung with fervor by Lata Ji . This song happens to be one amongst my choicest songs . 

Jyoti Kalash Chhalke
Huye Gulaabi Laal Sunahare
Rang Dal Baadal ke
Jyoti Kalash Chhalke

Usha ne Aanchal phelaaya
Pheli sukh ki Sheetal Chhaya
Neeche aanchal ke
Jyoti Kalash Chhalke

Paat Paat Birva hariyaala
Dharti ka Mukh Hua Ujaala
Sach sapne Kal Ke
Jyoti Kalash Chhalke

Ghar Aangan Ban Upavan Upavan
Karti Jyoti Amrit se sinchen
Mangal Ghat Dhalke
Jyoti Kalsh Chhalke
( Pandit Narendra sharma )

The Pitcher full of light is down pouring all over ,
Clouds are turning
Pink, red and golden in the sky.

Dawn has spread its Apparel,
To give cool and happy shade
To all creatures below on earth .
The Pitcher full of light is down pouring all over

Every Leaf has turned green
Bright turns the face of the earth
Our Dreams of a sunlit tomorrow are taking shape .
The Pitcher full of light is down pouring all over

Houses , Courtyards ,Forests and gardens
are being drenched in this
overflowing downpour of the nectar like light.
Happiness too joins this downpour .
The Pitcher full of light is down pouring all over.  


Additions from Friends 


Shantiveer Kaul 
There is an excellent rendering of this song in Sudhir Phadke's own voice. It was a Doordarshan Mumbai production.


Ravinder Kaul 

Mota Ji, sometimes I wonder how our tastes and likings are so similar. I will add some more information to the wonderful inputs from you. In an interview for Zee Kashmr a few years ago, Ved Rahi, the well known filmmaker from Jammu, told me that when he was young, he was so fascinated by this song that he had taken a vow that if he ever made a film in his life, he would have the music director of this song to compose music for his film. Accordingly, when he was making his first film ‘Daraar’ (1972), Ved Rahi went from pillar to post in Bombay looking for an obscure music director named Sudhir Phadke. He eventually found him and asked him to compose music for his film. This resulted in a lifelong friendship and it is Sudhir Phadke who has produced the latest film 'Veer Savarkar' (2008) that Ved Rahi has directed. A classic and my favourite song too. Thanks.

Ajodhia Kaul

 This is beauty.

Geetali Tare
Lovely link, Autar-ji.
Babuji, as he was known to millions of Maharashtrians, was a household name in the state. Our day started with his song "dehachi tizori"

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WOH REHGUZAR JO MERE DIL KI TARAH SOONI HAI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A KASHMIR VIEW MARCH 2010.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!KASHMIR ! MY BELOVED LAND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woh Rehguzar Jo Mere Dil Ki Tarah Sooni hai ,

Naa Jaane Tum Ko Kahaan Le Ke Jaane Waali Hai .

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ZIYARAT MADEEN SAHIB SRINAGAR KASHMIR .

  Between Sazgaari Pora and Nowshehra Srinagar lies a ziyarat popularly known as Ziyarat Syed Madni        Sahib.People over here call it as Madeen Sahib Ziyarat (  Hazrat Syed Mohammed Madni ( R A ) sahib ) 

as well. One can trace it to the north western side of Hari Parbat fort or exactly behind Industrial estate of    Baghe  Ali Mardaan Khan .The structure is considered to be a master piece of kashmiri Architcture  relating to king Zain Ul Abdin 's period .

The Ceramic tiles ,  Pinjara kaari of windows( Being redone now ),  Exquisite  Wood work , the Birch roof with mud over it  , Naqsho Nigaari  and the dome of the Ziyarat are unparalleled in style and architecture.

There had been some controversy with regard to control of this shrine( Between Shia and Sunni Community ) after the death of Sultan Zain Ul Abdin  as a result of which the shrine had to be closed for  a long period..The structure also suffered some damage in a devastating fire . During sultan's time , the Ziyarat had a huge surrounding area where a Madrasa , Hamam , Khaankaah and a Langer Khaana was built . The sultan would also frequent this place . Thanx to State Archeology Department the shrine is being   restored  to its Grandeur  and glory.The walls and ceiling of this structure stand restored to original shape .The stones dating back to Sultan Zain Ul Abdin's period are also being polished . It is reported that the main door of the shrine is in British Museum. This is the only shrine in valley representing all essential features of old kashmiri architecture .

 I end this  brief post with a couplet of  my favourite poet Allama Iqbal

Woh Bandigi Khudaai  Woh Bandigi Gadhaai ,

Yaa Bandaa e  Khudaa Ban Yaa Bandaa e zamaana ..

Gaafil Naa Ho Khudee se kar Apni Paasbaani ,

Shaayad Kissi Haram Kaa Tu bhi Hai Aastaana.  

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SOM NATH BUTT VERSATILE ARTIST AND VINCENT VAN GOGH OF KASHMIR

“I vividly remember Miss Mehmooda Ahmed Ali shah ( The then Principal of Women college Srinagar ) coming to our house on 9th December1973 , throwing her shawl to  the ground and sitting on the  floor with us to mourn the death of my father She wept bitterly like a child hugging my mother for more than 15 minutes at a stretch. Wiping her tears ,she said to my mother   in chaste Kashmiri

Jaya ji Metti Chhu Dahan Dohunn Dokhuss Beuhun. Su Auss Me Boayy.


(Jaya ji I have to also sit for the 10 day mourning . He was my brother .)

I was informed by my mother that Dr Naseer Ahmed Shah , Dr Tahir Mirza , Members of Sadiq Sahib’s family ,Sh Abdul Haq Barq and my father's  childhood friend Sheikh Ghulam Mohd Frequented our house during the mourning period. Syed Mir Qasim, who was the chief Minister at that time sent a message to us that he had decided to send me to Baroda for proper Training in Art absolutely free on a  Government scholarship.Possibly my father had conveyed my interest in Art and painting to his close friends like Sadiq Sahib , Syed Mir Qasim , Poet Dina Nath Naadim and D P Dhar. Support and sympathy poured in from all quarters .We were poor and incompetent to handle this wave of support and sympathy .Consequently  My mother had to keep  the struggle continued for  survival of the family  and education of her children. We clung to her like infants for emotional and material support.” 

Said Ramesh Ji wiping his tears . I could make out his Artistic nature from his handwriting , delicate  but long fingers , facial expressions and above all his lovely handwriting . I had seen some paintings of this colleague of mine and that created my interest in his Background . And Lo !He turned out to be the son of the unsung VINCENT VAN GOGH ( 1853-1890) of Kashmir whom the Artist Fraternity still remembers as Som Nath Butt or S N Butt .

                                                

.” My father would also sing K L Saigal songs . Dilip Kumar was his favourite actor . He must have seen Dilip Kumar's  Daag 30 times.He was greatly touched by Dilip Kumar"s role as Devdass. Naadim Sahib was a frequent visitor to our house .In fact my father had designed the Sets for Naadim sahib immortal opera “Bombur Ta Yemberzal ” Apart from this ,he enjoyed listening to Sufiana Music , Lal Vaakhs and Shams Faquir ‘s compositions . My sisters Asha ji and Veena ji were quite attached to him . They are married since and live happily with their families .I can say that by thought he appeared to be a Marxist yet at heart he was a Dervesh in true sense . He was full of compassions and yes a little careless about his own self . He gave some of the priceless painting to his friends free. He would easily believe anybody and was instantly moved to see any pain and suffering forgetting his own self.” Added Ramesh ji with a sigh .

Som Nath Butt was born in  1925 at Badyar Bala Locality in Srinagar City in the neighbourhood of Naadim Sahib’s Lal Ded Girls School..He too volunteered to serve the refugees from Baramulla town who had been housed in the school building after the tribal raid of 1947 , The pain and suffering he witnessed in this camp drifted him temporarily to Marxism though he never belonged to any political party nor happened to be an atheist. I am informed by the family that in fact he would visit the shrines of Dastgeer sahib, Maqdoom Sahib and Reshi Peer as and when he found time . He always kept a photograph of Swami Ram Tirath in his pocket .Incidentally I may mention that Allama Iqbal was a  great admirer of Swami Ram Tirath. Allama also  remarked that if  Swami Tirath  was mad( as people used to call him ) then there was no sane person in the world.Allama also wrote a poem on Swami Ji and his spirituality .

After completing his F.Sc. from S P College Srinagar som Nath Butt  went to Gulmarg (to live with his elder sister ) where his Brother in Law Pandit Radha Krishen Koul worked in a Hotel owned by a European .It was here  that the  young sensitive boy who had lost his mother in his infancy , came in direct contact with nature enabling him to express himself through a select medium using paper and pencils . .An Artist was thus born at Gulmarg only.

When Renowned Artist S H Raza (An Alumni of J J School of Art Mumbai .His art is priceless at the moment as one of his lesser known painting  SAURASHTRA   was sold for a record price of 16.42 crores at a Christie's auction on 10th June 2010.  This 88 ear old painter Syed Haider Raza lives in France currently) visited Kashmir sometime around the partition of the counry  and met almost all local Artists , He picked up S N Butt as his student and taught him intensely for two months . This period exposed the young Artist to basic styles and forms of Art like Cubism ,Surrealism, Impressionism, Expressionism, Abstract Art , Portrait drawing and many other Indian forms of Folk Art. Raza also introduced a variety of European artists to Bhat and most significantly Vincent Van Gogh . Enough training for this genius who never looked back after this interaction.. Along with Triloke Kaul , S N Butt held a two Men Painting Exhibition at Mumai in 1950 . Noticing his fresh style ,.Many newspapers caried a lead story under the caption:

                           “ A New Star is born on Art Horizon of the country  ”

After returning from Mumbai   he kept painting  with renewed vigour and in varied forms .He also won president’s Gold medal and a two year scholar ship for a project on Kashmir Shawl Designs.While Naadim sahib headed the Progresive writers Association , S N Butt became the founder of Progressive Artists Association in Kashmir . This Progresive movement in Kashmir was patronized by Balraj Sahni ,S H Raza and Percy Brown .Later P N Kachru another trained Artist from Rainawari joined them and the Trio as they came to be know heralded the modern Art movement in Kashmir.This trio later joined the School of Design opened by Jammu And Kashmir Government in different positions and capacities . Another Artist Mohan Raina  residig in Badyar Bala locality ( father of my friend Sudesh Raina )also  joined this School of Design later. While in Kashmir , M F Hussain  would  invariably come  to meet S N Butt  and other artists many times in this School of Design only. G R Santosh who was also trained at Baroda joined this group but  shifted his base to New Delhi to work as full time painter .In fact prior to his formal training at Baroda,  G R Santosh learnt Art from S N Butt only . So did he teach Kishori Kaul another renowned artist from Kashmir.

                                                                                   
Though most of the paintings of S N Butt have disappeared and are in private possession yet a few still decorate the walls of prominent Art Galleries of the country . Some  were also on display at Tourist  Reception Centre Srinagar before being suddenly removed and shifted to some unknown destination . I am also informed by the family that some Paintings were in possession of Sadiq Sahib’s family .The artist"s  family has none with them.. Some artist has also uploaded one of his   Paintngs on Internet. Influence of Dutch Painter VAN GOGH is starkly visible in his form and style. Through colour schemes , powerful fusion of form and content and I can say emotional styles, this artist was able to explain either his struggle against the system and circumstances or his comprehension of the spiritual essence of man and nature .

                                                                                                                                                                                                   
His addiction to liquor cut short his life and his productive years ,forcing him to remain in Hospital for long durations , he continued to paint till end . His family informs me that 1970 , 1971 and 1972 were liquor free years for him .He held Many Exhibitions . In 1971 he held a one man exhibition inaugurated by Sadiq Sahib. Late Bhagwan Sahay the then governor of the state , who was bed ridden   came with his  plastered leg supported by his daughter to see his favourite Artist’s work.He was also elevated to membership of Lalit Kala Academy New Delhi. When Sadiq Sahib was admitted to  PGI Chandigarh , he would call his friend S N Butt frequently   or keep writing to him regularly confiding even some intimate  family secrets to  this Artist .
                                                                                   

Something went wrong somewhere and Bobuji ( as he was called affectionately by his family ) again started drinking heavily after his visit to jammu  in 1973 to attend an Artist  conference.. He fell sick and had to be admitted to hospital in jammu.The family shifted him to Srinagar where he was Again admitted to SMHS hospital for about two months. On a wintry morning of 9th Dec 1973 this great Artist and human being bade good bye to this world ..Like modern Punjabi Poet Shiv Kumar Batalavi, he too died at a young age leaving friends weeping and his own family in grave crisis.

                                                                                    

 I have also uploaded a view of Jhelum Ghat near  Lal Ded Girls School Badyar Bala  Srinagar.I end this post with lines from a poem of my favourite  Bulgarian poet Nikola Vaptsarov ( 1909 -1942 ).In early 1941 Nazi forces were allowed to enter Bulgaria and take control of the country as a prelude to the attack on the USSR.Vaptsarov joined the armed resistance movement. Arrested by Nazi forces  in 1942 and subjected to inhuman torture, he was  finally executed on 23rd July, 1942.

‘History, will you mention us

In your faded scroll?’
For the hardship and affliction

We do not seek rewards,
Nor do we want our pictures
In the calendar of years.
Just tell our story simply
To those we shall not see,
Tell those who will replace us –
We fought courageously.
 



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KANGRIS KEEP EVERY ONE WARM IN KASHMIR

 jahaan e ishq mein Tafreek e Issm o zaat Nahin
jahaan e Husn Mein Taqseem e Hind o Pak Nahin
sivaa Gulon Ke girebaan Kissi Kaa Chaak nahin
Nafas Nafas Mein Mere Zamzamaa Mohabatt ka
Meraa wajood Qaseeda Bashar Ki Azmat Kaa 

Yeh Sab karishmaa hai insaaniyat Ki Wahdatt Kaa
( Ali Sardar jafri )

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LET US BUILD BRIDGES OF TRUST AND EXTEND HANDS OF FRIENDSHIP

Khudaa Kare Ki Salaamat Rahein Yeh Haath apne ,
Ataa Huvein hain Jo zulfein Sanwaarne Ke Liye .
Zameen Se Naqash Mitaane ko Zulm o Nafarat Kaa,
falak se Chaand sitaare Utaarney ke liye .
Tumhaara haath Badaa hai jo dosti ke liye ,
Mere liye hai woh ek Yaare Ghamgusaar ka haath.
Woh Haath Shaakh e Gul e Gulshan e Tamanaa hai ,
Mehak Rahaa Hai Mere haath Mein Bahaar Kaa haath.
( Ali Sardar Jafri )

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YAAR KO HUM NE JAA BA JAA DEKHAA ( I SAW MY BELOVED EVERYWHERE) )

 Yaar Ko Hum Ne jaa Ba Jaa Dekhaa
Kabhi Zaahir kabhi Chhupaa Dekhaa.
Kahin Woh Baadshaah e Takht Nasheen 

Kahin Kaasa Liye Gadhaa dekhaa.

Kahin Woh Dar Libaas e Maashooqan
Bar sar e Naaz Aur Addaa Dekhaa

                                                                                                 

Jalwaa Ba Qadr e Zarf e nazar Dekhtey Rahey

Kyaa Dekhtey Hum Unn Ko magar Dekhtey Rahey.

Unn Ki Hareem e Naaz Kahaan aur Hum Kahaan

Naqsho Nigaar e Pardaa e Durr Dekhtey Rahey.

Aisee Bhi Kuchh Firaaq ki Raatein Guzar Gayeen

Jaise Unnhi Ko Pesh e Nazar Dekhtey Rahey.

Apnaa Hi Aks pesh e nazar Dekhtey Rahey

Ainaa Ru Ba Ru Thaa Jidhar Dekhtey Rahey .

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HUMOUR AND KASHMIRIS ARE INSEPARABLE .NICKNAMING WAS FLOURISHING INDUSTRY IN KASHMIRI SOCIETY .

“This is TSEND Validhi TAASS or you can say TSEOT validhi  LAWAAS.You can also say BEANZ Validhi MASS .”

“He is a funny man Mr Outtar . What does he say in Kashmiri ”

“ Nothing special. He is defining this old Amira kadal bridge in relation to the newly constructed bridge . Tseot means the  bread sold by kashmiri Bakers .Lawaas is  a bigger sized bread which is thinner .Tsend is a mild slap while Taass means a forceful Punch. Beanz and Mass mean mother and Daughter .The word Validhi means  “ son of or defines parentage ” . I believe you get what he says.” I clarified to John Clarke guest of my friend  Manzoor  and a carpet buyer from USA .

“Mister i make  simple for you . In English  what Farangi understand is FAIL validhi PASS  ” said Mr Manzoor   to  John Clarke his guest  . John  and Manzoor   were standing on old Amirakadal Bridge and looking at the New Bridge. Manzoor  was a Kashmir Art trader and owner of  a house Boat . That is how kashmiris impressed even Americans or Europeans  with their  crisp humour .

John Clarke  would  come to the  bank to encash   Thomas Cook Traveller cheques  and  one day  Manzoor made a  request  to accompany them to Sri Partap Museum Lal Mandi  . Since John  demanded to go on foot and move through Bazaars , we took a longer route  . Right from lal Chowk ,Manzoor would gossip and tell funny stories to John   who would simply keep smiling and nodding  . One simpleton and the other just playing pranks .

 I remember that when the new Amirakadal bridge was thrown open for traffic , the old bridge near by was not  demolished .(The remains of the old bridge still exist side by side to the new bridge in the photograph uploaded by me . This photo was taken in Dec2009.The second photograph uploaded is the new foot bridge  to connect lal Mandi area with lal Chowk ).In fact a foot path market had cropped up on the old abandoned  bridge .This market had left little space for the pedestrian traffic . You had to push your way from a crowd of ramshackle shops and onlooking  buyers . Traders selling everything  from garment Buttons to cheap plastic wares. You could buy dry fruits , shoes,  cheap crockery ,Ready made garments and  old  clothes ( called Bangla Desh in Local parlance ). So clever were the sellers that they made people to try these old and new ready made garments  on the road to the curious gaze of  crowds . You could buy cheap transistor sets , tape recorders ( Called Type Record in local Parlance ). The market used to be the busiest centre for purchase of cheap and duplicate variety of goods  .You could buy a BOLA shoe with word BOLA made to look like BATA .One could also enjoy a street magician show . The Saande Ka Teil ( Lizard Oil ) seller made tall claims about his product. The Pathan selling  Josh e Mardaana ( sold as Tonic for Male Fertility )  made you to taste the tonic prepared in your presence from crushed dry fruits  fried in  Desi Ghee .The loud music at the cheap  cassettes shop or the Parrot seller  with his caged birds tempted you for a look. The cheap perfume seller , the footpath Jyotishi ( Fortune Teller ) holding hand of an ignorant villager or an Army soldier  and telling him what future lay in store for him  could also attract you . The shabby looking Sardar ji or the footpath   Dentist  grabbing jaw of a poor villager with dirty forceps could be offending at times . The knife sharpener with his bicycle producing sparks .With Kailash Cafeteria nearby where  Kashmiri Pandits would be relishing Kebabs and kapoor Vaishno  Bhojnalaya   across Jhelum  or Prem Ji street nearby where fresh and delicious Bread was sold , the old bridge had its  special presence in the area  .The lane near the old bridge  led you to the Lal Ded Hospital. Passing through this area we went to SP Museum Lal Mandi.

 Names of some shops in Srinagar also  depicted inherent kashmiri humour .We had many shops with funny and catchy names.A shop in Dal Gate area had following Board hung at its entrance .

“MANAA THE LOVELY ART OF LOVELY LAND”
. One prominent shop of a Kashmiri Handicrafts  dealer was run under the name and  style

“SUBHANA THE WORST ”

This business House had a competing shop run under the name and style:

“SUBHANA THE BEST ”

 There used to another shop of a kashmiri art trader run under the name and style

“ SAME   SAME   BUT   DIFFERRENT  ”.

 These names made you to laugh at times . But then this was also a marketing technique which certainly paid its dividends . Some business houses had serious names like

“ SUFFERRING MOSES ”

To me humour appears to be a part of kashmiri living . .But the nicknaming  hobby with kashmiris is centuries old . Even most of the castes in kashmir are based on nicknames only. Teasing to the point of making a person go wild with rage  is locally known as GARMAAVUNN. GARMAAVUN  used to be a favourite entertainment with kashmiris I remember children in Rainawari walking behind a kashmiri Pandit Jia Lal By name and crying

“JIA LAL  MARANUSS CHHUYEE  KAMIYEE   KAAL”

 ( Jial lal You are to die shortly ) .

Girls or women were also not spared. A simple  girl in Rainawari was named GANDAA   TSOOR( Onion Thief ).Another women from Rainawari named Rupaawati would be called  

RUPAWATI     TAAEN    ROAZ  ATTI

 ( Rupawati . Hold on at that place only. )
I have heard many ladies ( Both Pandits and Muslims in our Mohalla ) saying :
Kyaa Saa Ya  Chhaa Treya Tsoor Vaanuss Peyth Beehith . Me ouss stove Sheroon 


( Has this Treyaa ( Triloki Nath Pandit ) the Thief opened his shop ? I needed to visit him  to set my kerosene stove right .)
Another kashmiri  Pandit in Rainawri was nick named Dhe Nazar ( Just have a look ). When he walked  children would cry Dhe Nazar forcing him actually to look around so that  every one would just giggle and enjoy.A Halwai shop in Rainawari had a  Pandit helper who was nicknamed ALLA  YAKHANI ( Gourd cooked  in curd ) ,a popular dish in Pandit  Households. This man would go Berserk with rage when any person would cry ALLA   YAKHANI   behind his back . He would  pass  on  abuses to one and all  in a very loud tone and run after boys to thrash any one so caught by him. Shopkeepers in Jogi lanker first provoked boys to tease this helper  and later  enjoyed this Drama silently  .We had persons with   nick names like  Bekal Batta( foolish pandit ) , Pachee Russ ( Soup from leg portion of a sheep ), Gandaa  Oluvv ( Onions and Potatoes ), Amma Babur, Fashionee Fotedaar, Maama koll, Nathaa Ditt, Tikalee,Kokker Tsoor ,  Yaavv Kuth ,Ramzaan Londde   , Tuwaan Bachaa ,Tsattaa Russ , Tikka waavij ,Curfew Bachaa and  Miskeen Buudd in Rainawari  .  In college i remember some very respectable and  senior professors being nicknamed as Nissar Gotta , Machhi Khan ,Indira Gandhi  , Theek Ayaa ji and Lung Taas .  Quite often   I felt ashamed at these nicknames   for our  teachers .

There used to be a Drill Master in Hari Singh High school Rainawari  Mohd sidiq by name . Everybody called him Sidd Poraath( Sidd Parantha ).Another Band master was called  Nerra Band( Niraan Jan Nath ) by boys in DAV school.In Hindu high school  Sheetal Nath Bar Bar Shah, you had a drill master Janki Nath by name who was  nicknamed as Jana Military .  Shri  Mohd Yusuf  who joined as Principal of S P college Srinagar  a couple of years after  we left  would be called Yusuf Jandhagor( Yousuf the Rags seller ) . Shri Mohd yusuf  was a well read  teacher and author  of some books as well. Kashmiris did not spare their popular leaders  . I remember a  Ladishah ( a satirical composition ) sung by kashmiris nicknaming Sheikh Mohd Abdullah , Bakshi Ghulam Mohd and Mirza afzal  Beigh .The Ladeeshah possibly composed around 1953  unfolded some    events in a satirical manner conveying essentially  :

( If Tall Man or Sheikh  Mohd Abdullah acted unwisely  , what happened to  Mirza Afzal Beigh . Look  how  Bakshi Ghulam Mohd  grabbed the opportunity and sat on the throne .)


Sh.Shamas Ud Din who became Prime  Minister( Now called CM ) after Bakshi Ghulam Mohd was removed under Kamraj Plan  was nick named as  Shamma Kath ( Shamma  the Sheep ) by Kashmiris . Late D P Dhar was called D P Whiskey.  I  have heard many kashmiris calling Sheikh  Mohd Abdullah as  Oluvv Bub ( Potato father ). A   slogan was created by kashmiris to suit popular sentiment   during Peak popularity of Sheikh Mohd Abdullah  . The  slogan had inherent satire and humour :

ALLA   KAREGAA  WANGUNN   KAREGAA   BUB   KAREGAA

( Whatever Sheikh Mohd abdullah shall do let him do for kashmir .
Even if he makes  Brinjals  or gourds , let him make it .)

In early seventies i heard some  people raising a satirical and humour packed slogan

YEH     MULK      NAKHUSS       TULUKH
PONDUSS   HEUTUKH   DABALUSS  KUNUKH

( This country has been carried  on shoulders ,
Bought for a a pound , It has been sold for a Penny. )

Kashmiris greet each other with a popular line

VAARAI CHHUKH  SAA

( Are you fine dear ?)

 Through a song they  even  made fun of this popular sentiment .

BHAIBEE  PATHER  BEH

GARAM  GARAM  BATTA  KHEH

BAA NAI  PATTA  LAARAI

AHAAN BEE VAARAI

VAARAI CHUKH  BEE  VAARAI

( Bhabi sit down,

Have hot rice

I shall not follow you?

Are you fine .

O Yes I am fine )

Shri Ghulam Mohd shah or Gul Shah as he was popularly known when he became chief minister of J & K came to be known as GUL CURFEW in Kashmir for repeated imposition of curfews.

I would often hear the cries of the CHANNA ( Roasted Kabuli Gram ) seller on the footpath outside our bank

CHANNA   HEY   CHANNA   HEY

PAANAI   IWAAN   KHEINN  HAY

BELL BOTTOM CHANNA  HEY

( Buy Channa  Buy Channa .

It goes down the  gullet without effort.
Buy  this bell bottomed  Channa)
We would quite often walk to our college from Rainawari. . Quite often  near Sathu Bar Bar Shah, my friend Kuldeep Machama  would start his  trick. He would make a poor face and request every man riding a  bicycle and  rushing towards Lal chowk 

"BAA  CHHUSS   BEMAAR

ME   TULAKH   NAA   COLLEGE  TAAM

KHODAA  SAAB  SOZEE  HAJUSS."

( I  am sick . can you pick me upto my college .

Surely with God's grace you shall perform Hajj ) 

Quite often the drama brought results in the shape of a free ride upto S P College . Whenever he failed to impress, he would cry at the back of the speeding bicyclist;

BEMMARUSS   FOOTRUTH    DIL

TSE  KHODAA SOZUUN JUDGUSS

( You have broken the heart of a sick  man

Let god send you before a Judge )
Enormous  popularity of some plays to quote

HERO MACHAMA, SHABRANG  and HAZAAR DASTAAN on Radio or Television   substantiates my argument that Kashmiris and Humour are inseparable.. But then Humour does not  Necessarily imply that the  person is actually  happy within . Bashir Badr comes to my rescue for this argument.


Yeh hansee Bhi Koi Naqaab hai
Jahaan Chaahe Hum Ne giraa diyaa 
Kabhi Uss Kaa dard Chuppa gaye 
Kabhi Apnaa Dard Chuppa Liyaa.

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