A VIEW OF VITASTA AT BADYAAR BALA NEAR LAL DED SCHOOL AND AN EIGHT LINE POEM OF DINA NATH NAADIM

                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                           

A NEW FORM FOR KASHMIRI POETRY CREATED BY DINA NATH NAADIM . POEM IN EIGHT LINES . . NOT A SONNET NOT A HAIKU AS SOME PEOPLE CALL IT .NAADIM AGAIN TOUCHES CHEKHOV'S THOUGHT LEVEL THROUGH THESE SIMPLE 8 LINES.THE

LINES BEAR ELEMENTS OF EXISTENTIALIST THOUGHT AS WELL.


Boota Khoraa Aukh Vateey Peuth Peyomutt
Aasaa vahaarith Chhaaraan Treish
Hoonaa Aukh Aav Lamnaa Karnuss
Fuchmaech Buthi Khanjee Deutnuss Feish
Daalaa Dith Neun Naali Akiss Munz
Treish Hatiss devaa Az Footee Treish
Seeraa Aukh Vutsch baddi hatee Kaenee Kunn
Tse Ti Ad khuraa Baaetti Mahaarein


With its mouth open . a shoe lay on the road ,
Desperately needing to quench its thirst.
A dog passed by , Pulled it out ,
turned its dirty face upside down.
Looking here and there ,
thinking possibly to give water to the thirsty ,
The dog carried the shoe to a nearby drain.
Behold ! A brick jumped at this scene and said loudly to the stone nearby:
"You are just a Part of the whole .
I happen to be complete and wholesome."
( Rendered to English from original kashmiri by Autar Mota )


These lines of naadim have a vast scope for interpretation. One that comes to my mind could be as under :-

Visited by circumstances and add to this the denial of freedom of choice , Who is not like a shoe thrown on the road needing support and help even for fundamental needs of existence ? The helplessness of the shoe is touching. In our society ,Such human beings live purely at the  mercy of  notice and attention by others . They need appropriate time and space to get this mercy translated to real action .

The support, at times may come from the unexpected quarters like the dog who carries the shoe to the drain. This support simultaneously provokes others around who feel a strange denial of attention to them .
See what the brick satirically says to the stone. Yes the brick though delicate appears to be complete . It is wholesome apparently. Something can be made a part of it . it is certainly not part of something.The stone , Even being stronger is part of the whole . Incomplete . This issue has also been touched by Jean Paul sartre . In simpler terms, i add that Stronger human beings can also be incomplete or part of the whole .
I might have bored some readers with my notes to these lines . Can't help .These eight lines, looking simple apparently ,are actually meant for a serious reader . I need to add some more poetry to conclude.These lines were composed by Naadim sahib for the opera VITASTA( JHELUM RIVER )

Sangaruvv gaash Heyot lolee lalvunn ye
Veuth aayee saaluss soan Ye
Thadee Thadee Heytoss Zeuooth Vanvunn ye
Veuth aayee saaluss soan Ye

( Dina Nath Naadim )

The Mountain tops are cuddling sunlight in their lap
Lo and behold ! Here comes Vitastaa for a feast to our land .
Come let us sing loudly in her praise and welfare ,
Here comes Vitastaa for a feast to our land .

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THE STORY OF SMALL GRAVEL STONE IN A POEM OF DINA NATH NAADIM AND A VIEW OF STONE QUARRY AT ATHWAJAN SRINAGAR .

                                                                      
ROADDA FOLLAH AKH VATIE PEUTH ANDH KUNN
TAAPUNNIE TSAANJIE AUSS GANZRAAN DOAH
THEKDARUNN AENDH AENDH CHUTT KHORUSS
BAAJIREE SEUT MEULL SAPDEUOSS KOHH
TEEL SADAK AUSSISS DEUKK LEEKHITH
BRUKKVITH TROVUKH SAPDEUOSS TOHH.

( DINA NATH NAADIM )

A small stone lay untouched on roadside ,
Passing its time under the scorching rays of sun .
A contractor ( Engaged for Black topping the road )
Put the gravel mixture around it ,
Behold it too joined gravel
to become a small mountain momentarily .
Finally the Coal tarred road was its fate ,
Crushed to pieces it lay there in its final destination.
( For readers i have Rendered this poem in English from original kashmiri )

ANOTHER SIX LINE POEM FROM "HAERSAATH " BY DINA NATH NAADIM. SOME MAY BE TEMPTED TO CALL THE FORM HAIKU BUT I TEND DISAGREE. THIS IS A UNIQUE STYLE AND FORM CREATED BY NAADIM FOR KASHMIRI POETRY WHICH ALL OF US FAILED TO RECOGNIZE , APPRECIATE AND REALIZE.  THESE ARE SMALL POEMS WITH CHAIN OF METAPHORS AND  SYMBOLS  HAVING VAST SCOPE FOR MEANING . THE CONTENT APPEARS TO BE ORDINARY . PAUSE . THINK. IT TURNS OUT TO BE THOUGHT PROVOKING .HERE  NAADIM COMES UP TO THE STATURE OF  ANTON CHEKHOV .

I HAVE READ MINI  POEMS FROM   "HAERSAATH " AT LEAST 100 TIMES . TO ME THEY APPEAR LIKE  FRAMES  FROM   A  SATYAJITRAY MOVIE. 

 ARE NOT ALL OF LIKE THE SMALL STONE OR PEBBLES LYING ON THE ROADSIDE OF EXISTENCE  LIVING  WITH SHIFTING  FATES . FATES THAT ARE BEYOND OUR CONTROL OR CONTROLLED BY THE  CONTRACTOR CALLED DESTINY. SOMETIMES HAPPY BEING MADE TO LOOK LIKE A MOUNTAIN AND FINALLY CRUSHED TO BE TRAMPLED BY THE TRAFFIC ON THIS HIGHWAY OF EXISTENCE ! 

Autar Mota

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A DUBB ON BADYAAR BALA ROAD SRINAGAR AND DINA NATH NAADIM'S POEM ON HUKH ( DRY WOODEN PIECES USED IN KITCHEN AS FUEL IN OLDEN DAYS .).

                                                              

Baaluv peith Voath pari mahal kunn
 voth baeth baeth Draav Saeluss vaav
Hutchfaell Pangtaah Saet saet draayuss
Aabuss paeth paeth yirvin naav
Boan Paahun vaatith seikee Shaatuss laeg
Haq Parznovukh Hukkh Pyokh naav .
( Dina nath naadim )

Coming down from the Hills surrounding Pari mahal ,
The wind went on a joyful journey through river banks .
 a crowd of wood pieces too joined on this journey  ;
 But alas! These  were thrown on the water surface .
Moving down the river current ,
these pieces came to settle on a sandy surface
to realize truth .
Lo here only people named these pieces as HUKH.

"FROM " HAERSAATH " BY DINA NATH NAADIM ( 1916-1988 ). 

AFTER MEHJOOR , NAADIM STOOD UP AS THE TALLEST POET OF MODERN KASHMIRI . INSPIRING A GENERATION OF WRITRS IN KASHMIR ,THIS POET WROTE , GHAZALS , VAAKHS , OPERAS , SONGS AND SONNETS . HIS POEMS AND SONGS WERE BUBBLING WITH LOVE FOR HIS NATIVE LAND , ITS PEOPLE AND CULTURE.IN FACT I PERSONALLY LEARNT THE NAMES OF MANY FLOWERS OF KASHMIR FROM MEHJOOR AND NAADIM SAHIB'S POETRY .THE LINE "BOMBRO BOMBRO SHAAM RANG BOMBRO " USED IN THE OPERA "BOMBUR TE YEMBAZAL" OR " ROMANCE OF THE BUMBLE AND THE NARCISSUS FLOWER " IS HIS CREATION . WITH THESE LINES HE SPREAD IN THE ENTIRE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF THE COUNTRY. HAERSAATH IS A BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION WRITTEN IN SONNET STYLE BUT IN SIX LINES WITH ONE THOUGHT AND IMAGERY . THE ABOVE LINES DEPICT THE BEAUTY OF HUKH FORMATION IN KASHMIR.
 

Hukh was collected from rivers by Boatmen. One could see them collecting it from Sindh stream near Ganderbal. It was brought to city for sale in big boats called Bahach. Hukh consisted of  small pieces of wood   used for burning in Kitchen during winters . It made the kitchen warm when burnt in DHAAN ( CHULHAA ) by our womenfolk . We would come to the kitchen repeatedly to fill our Kangris . The kitchen turned cozy and warm with HUKH burning .Children would sit in the kitchen  to have  food when their Grandmothers or   mothers   burnt HUKH for cooking food  . You could also notice our ladies skillfully making  Coal from the Burning HUKH or firewood in the kitchen. Kashmiris kitchens had a LEJJ ( earthen pot ) with a lid .Our ladies  would be removing Burning Coal heaps from the DHAAN ( Chulhaa ) and throwing them into the LEJJ and then immediately replacing the lid . The burning charcoal would cool down and the coal so prepared would be used to make afternoon tea. 

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A CLOSED DOOR AND A POEM BY AUTAR MOTA

 O THAT DOOR WHICH   I  LOCKED .


(PHOTO Autar Mota .)

EK BANDH DARWAAZA

Kaun kholegaa Ab Woh Darwaaza ,
Jiss ko Mein Bandh kar ke Aayaa Thaa.
Jiss Ke Andhar Thaa Shahar e Missar Meraa .
Jo Ajantaa Bhi Thaa Elora Bhi ,
Jo Shivalaa Bhi Aur Banaras Bhi ,
Jiss Mein Basti Thi Shaan e Chisti Bhi,
Jab Se Uss Aastaan se Nikale hain
Maan Lo Iss Jahaan se Nikaley hain
Pyaar kaa karz Utaraa Hotaa ,
Maine Uss Dhar Ko Sanvaara Hotaa .

( A Poem By Autar Mota )



 

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WILLOWS AT BETAAB VALLEY PAHALGHAAM AND A POEM BY AUTAR MOTA

                            
Majestic willows of Betaab Valley Pahalghaam kashmir.
(Photo autar Mota 2009 series .)
Many friends have been asking me to post one of my poems . Lo ! and behold this small surprise .

HAMAARA DIL ( This Heart of mine )

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 Samete 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 numm, Umeed e fardaa Kaa ,
Wattan Ki Yaad kaa, Doori Kaa, Majboori ,Judaai Kaa ,
"Koi Mazhab hai ,Koi Dharam hai ,Koyee Aqeeda Hai ."
( A Poem by  Autar Mota ) 

This heart of mine is like the Saharaa ( Vast Desert ) or the   ocean,

Treat it like the fresh Breeze of Himalayas dancing over  the Indian Ocean,

Never  like  River  Ganga or Yamuna  alone ,

 But yes Like the Majestic Confluence at  Pryaag (Allahabad ),

It spreads like the civilization of my country.

Holding values of time gone past ,

Something which you too  cherish but refuse to see  

coming close even in your dreams ,
Something which you too love but but never attempt to own, 

Moving   aimlessly on Paths that lead to Jungle alone ,

This heart is lonely in Cities that have never learnt to look back.

Grant it  just One Evening, A little Comfort  and the Desired dawn,

“How can this heart agree that:

 Blood , Rain , Tornadoes  ,

Fragrance , flowers , Pain and Suffering ,

 Words of love ,The sorrow of our sisters , The sobbing of our Mothers ,

Tomorrow’s hopes , Memory of our beloved land , Distances ,

Helplessness and separation

Have a Religion , A Dharma or belong to any Faith .”

                          

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THE GREAT TRILOKE KAUL ( ARTIST AND A LIVING LEGEND )

Some years back I met this great artist at function in Dehradun . I shall never forget the inspiring late night discussions with him. He discussed his Art ,  Kashmir in General ,Progressive Artists Association of kashmir and his close associates and Artists like  Late S N Bhat and P N kachru . He also fondly talked about late G R Santosh , Amin Kamil , Mohan Raina ( Artist ), Rehman Raahi and late Naadim Sahib. Many names came up for discussion.

                                                                                     

                                                                                       

O yes! Percy Brown and Artist S H Raza with whom he remained associated in late forties to form Progressive Artists Association in J&;K state .He talked about his various exhibitions ;solo and Jointly with P N kachru and late S N Bhat .He talked about Sheikh Mohd Abdullah , Bakshi Ghulam Mohd , G M Sadiq , D P Dhar and many Artists, writers  and Poets  from our state .He also emotionally spoke about his ancestral house at Shalla kadal Srinagar and his studio at Sumbal.

                                                                                 
Yes he regrets the loss of precious books and paintings he had to leave behind in Kashmir .That could be a cultural loss .

I asked him about his days as Director School of Design . He immediately spoke about the scores of innovative designs for kashmir’s Handicrafts that were created by this school .Prominent artist like P N Kachru , S N Bhat and Mohan Raina were also employed in this School of Design.

                                                                               
We talked about Albert Camus and Kafka . Kafka remains his favourite till today.. I had neither any recording apparatus nor my camera to click this great Master .

Popularly known as a leader of “THE TRIO” and ably assisted by P N Kachru and late S N Bhat ,Triloke Kaul brought Modern Art to our state .Trained at Baroda, he continues to be a tall figure not only amongst the Artist Fraternity from our State but also amongst the artists on national scene . His contribution to Art especially Modern Art is immense and unparalleled .

                                                                       

In march 2010, i again met him at Kala Kendra jammu where he had come to be the Guest of Honour in a function organised by Dr T K wali son of late D N Wali Artist from kashmir. Some beautiful landscapes of kashmir done in water colour by late D N Wali were exhibited in this function. This time i had my camera with me . He allowed me to photograph him liberally . I offered to drop him back after the function . He said he had been brought to the venue by Dr Raj Kumar Sharma  popular Physician of Jammu who had made a fervent appeal that he shall oblige him by agreeing to be dropped back . Incidentally Dr Raj Kumar Sharma Physician  is also  a noted Painter and lover of fine Arts.

                                                                  

                                                                         

Suna Hai Log Usse Aankh Bhar Ke Dekhte Hain

So Uss Ke Sheher Mein Kuch Din Thehar Ke Dekhte Hain

Suna Hai Boley Tou Baaton Se Phool Jhartey Hain
Yeh Baat Hai To Chalo Baat Kar Ke Dekhte Hain

Rukey To Gardishein Uss Ka Tawaaf Karti Hain
Chaley To Uss Ko Zamaaney Theher Ke Dekhte Hain

Kahaaniyaan Hi Sahi, Sab Mubaalghey Hi Sahi
Agar Woh Khawaab Hai, Taabeer Kar Ke Dekhte Hain

Bahut Dinon Se Nahin Hai Kuch Uss Ki Khair Khabar
Chalo "Faraaz" Kooy e Yaar Chal Ke Dekhte Hain

( Ahmed Faraz )

                                                                                  

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A VIEW ENROUTE GULMARG KASHMIR.

Hum Andhiyon ke Ban me Kissi Karwaan ke The.

Jaane Kahaan Se aaye Hain jaane Kahaan Ke the .
Ae Jaane Dastaan Tujhe Aayaa Kabhi Khayaal
Woh Log Kyaa Huve Jo Teri Dastaan Ke The .
Hum Tere Aastaan Pe yeh kehaney Ko Aaye Hain
Woh Khaaq Ho Gaye Jo Tere Aastaan Ke The
( Jaun Elia )                                                                                                                  

 

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INDIA IN HIS HEAD AND KASHMIR IN HIS HEART :::MEET MEHRAJUDDIN WADOO THE DASHING KASHMIRI IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM .

                                                                         

He wears  Jersey No 4 in the  National Foot Ball team. Dashingly handsome , agile , sharp , well built   and affable in his behavior . This is how  one can   describe Star defender turned midfielder Mehrajuddin Wadoo.

We have a history of many kashmiris making it to some prestigious clubs of Calcutta or to the Indian squad. To quote Abdul Majeed kakroo rose to become   team India captain. Ishfaq worked hard to be the  captain of  Mohun Bagan  Calcutta  .Mehrajuddin’s father  Mohd Sultan wadoo represented J&K in Santosh trophy .  Mehrajuddin Wadoo started from J&K Police and boarded HAL, ITI, De Goa Sporting Club,Mohun Bagan and finally East Bengal.In football world this player from Kashmir is nicknamed as “ THE TANK “ for his immense physical strength and abilities .

                                                                        

Many friends  inform me that this young boy won hearts when he scored the winning goal for India against Bangla Desh team in December 2005  SAFF Cup finals  played at Karachi .Wadoo was a member of the Indian squad that won Nehru cup 2007 ,AFC challenge cup 2008 and Nehru Cup 2009.

                                                                         

Born in 1984, this young player had his schooling   at GP Mission School Rainawari  where he studied  upto class 10^th and later did BA from Amar Singh college Srinagar . His father has always
been his inspiration.

                                                                         

“ My Dad has been my greatest inspiration .He has always been there to support and guide me to become a footballer. Playing for Indian team  has been the happiest moment of my life.”

“ I like the way football is played and enjoyed as a game in Calcutta .O yes the players are under great pressure . They have to give their 100%..Calcutta playing means  great responsibility for every player in the field.”

                                                                          

“ I am footballer .  I have learnt  the game under extremely adverse conditions . I play for India . I love Kashmir . Kashmir resides  in my heart .I go to  Kashmir two or may be three times a year .My parents are proud of me . ”

“ In the team we are all friends .It does not matter whether you are a Kashmiri or Manipuri.We are brothers .  You may be a Muslim or a Hindu or a Christian  .You are just a sportsman . That is how we enjoyed our Portugal trip ”

                                                                                 

 Quite friendly with Baichung Bhutia , Wadoo  also   had many modeling offers from the corporate world .He declined all to focus on his game and career . Popular with most of his team mates,  Wadoo is  a favourite player with calcutta crowds. This player from Kashmir has made  it to National team  with his hard work alone .

                                                          

 " He is a terrific footballer who has done proud to kashmir , J&K state and the country .We are happy to see our two big stars , Mehraj and Ishfaq reaching pinnacle of their careers . They are role models for our young generation . with their achievement , the morale of each and every young footballer is getting boost " adds JKFA president Zamir Ahmed Thakur .

 Naye Daur ke Naye Khwaab hain ,
Naye Mausamon Ke Ghulaab Hain.
Yeh Mohabatton ke Chiraag Hain ,
Inhe Nafraton Ki Hawaa Naa Dhe.


These are new hopes of a new age ,
These are season's fresh roses ,
These are candles lit in love , 
Let hatred not visit  their   way .


 

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RURAL LIFE ( WOMEN IN WORK ) A WATER COLOUR BY MASOOD HUSSAIN

                                                                          

MASOOD HUSSAIN JUST POURS OUT THE CULTURE OF KASHMIR WHEN HE DRAWS WOMEN. HIS WOMEN ARE SIMPLE , GENTLE , KASHMIRI TO CORE, BOWING BEFORE SHRINES , BUSY IN FIELDS , BUSY IN HOUSEHOLD WORK, BUSY AT CHARKHAA ( YENDHER ) AND BUSY WITH THEIR FAMILY.FAMILY REMAINS SUPREME FOR THEM. 

IN THIS PARTICULAR PAINTING , MASOOD HUSSAIN MAKES BEAUTIFUL USE OF COLOURS TO DEPICT LIFE OF VILLAGE WOMEN BUSY WITH CHARKHAA . THE TRADITIONAL KASHMIR TEA KETTLE OR SAMAVAAR IS ALSO NEARBY .THE FOCUS IS ON CHARKHAA OR YENDHAR WHICH IS STILL IS USE IN VILLAGES . AFTER DAY'S HARD WORK WOMEN WOULD SUPPLEMENT THE FAMILY INCOME BY SPINNING THE CHARKHAA. THESE SIMPLE WOMEN ARE HIGHLY SKILLED IN SPINNING PASHMINA WOOL.


I am of a firm belief that woman not only creates life , she also sustains and protects it .Alas in this process she suffers a lot.Can i add lines from a poem of Hindi poetess late Mahadevi verma .

Mahadevi ji was also a distinguished Painter and The illustrations in her book DEEPSHIKHA have been drawn by her only.. The principal theme of the poetry of Mahadevi ji is pain of separation from the supreme being . In this regard she is comparable to saint poetess Meera Bai of 16th centuary .Enjoy some lines of her poem Ab yeh Chidiya Kahan Rahegi ( Where shall this sparrow live now? ). This is a simple poem for children apparently but in it lies the deep philosophy of life . The core content of the poem is an issue relevant to poor women only. Mahadevi ji also drew drawings for this poem herself.

Aandhi Aayee Zor shor se
Daali Tooti hai Jhakor se
Udda Ghonslaa Bechaari Ka
Kiss Se Apni Baat Kahegi
Ab Yeh Chidiya Kahaan Rahegi
( Mahadevi Verma )

( The storm and winds were Furious ,
They broke the branches of the tree in fury,
The poor sparrow lost her dwelling .
To whom shall she convey her pain ?
Oh God ! Where shall this sparrow go now.)


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EVENING VIEW OF BUND SRINAGAR AND A POEM OF FAIZ AHMED FAIZ

  

EVENING VIEW OF BUND SRINAGAR


Tanhaai
Phir ko’ii aayaa, dil-e-zaar! nahiin, ko’ii nahin;
raah-rau hogaa, kahiin aur chalaa jaaegaa.
dhal chukii raat, bikharne lagaa taaron kaa ghubaar,
larkharaane lage aiwaanon mein khwaabiida charaagh,
so ga’ii raasta tak takke har ek rah guzaar;
ajnabi khaak ne dhundlaa diye qadmon ke suraagh.
gul karo shamein, barhaa do mai-o-meenaa-o-ayaagh,
apne be khwaab kivaaron ko muqaffal kar lo;
ab yahaan ko’ii nahiin, ko’ii nahin aayega!

(faiz ahmed faiz)

Solitude

Someone, finally, is here! No, unhappy heart, no one -
just a passerby on his way.
The night has surrendered
to clouds of scattered stars.
The lamps in the hall waver.
Having listened with longing for steps,
the roads too are fast asleep.
A strange dust has buried every footprint.
Blow out the lamps, break the glasses, erase
all memory of wine. Heart,
bolt forever your sleepless doors,
tell every dream that knocks to go away.
No one, now no one will ever return


( Translation Agha shahid Ali )

 

   SOME CLAIFICATION ON THIS POEM

Aalok Aima

‎@Autar ji - is my understanding incorrect or is the translation by agha shahid ali wrong for the following lines:
gul karo shamein, barhaa do mai-o-meenaa-o-ayaagh,it is translated by him as: 

..".Blow out the lamps, break the glasses, erase all memory of wine."

 

Autar Mota 

@Alok Ji 
 

Firstly i sincerely thank you for the pointed reference .I have not changed a word of Shahid's translation . I also appreciate your keen observation.Surely you have gone through the poem two or ...three times.
Alok ji ,this poem remains one of the greatest poems conveying pain ,loneliness and lament .Every line spreads the magic of the central mood of the poem. The line in particular you are referring to
"Gul Karo Shamein , Badaa Do mayo Meena o ayaag ". The line does not convey
" Blow out the candle and bring wine "
The line conveys
" Put out the candle and move away the wine and the cups "
Move away and not" Bring this way "
Otherwise also faiz lived in europe , USA , Russia , France and West Asia after the infamous Rawalpindi conspiracy case. May be he developed western sensibilities to many such issues .Ordinarily in our societies , pain and lament is generally doused by inducing insensibilities or altering consciouness and sensibilities( wine is sym bolic ) , the poet's contention and intention is to live pain and lament . The poet is lonely in lament. He can not bring liquor . He can not sink in pain and lament . He wants to live it and rise above it . That is why Faiz says "Take way the liquor and cups. "
Shahid's purpose of translation was to present Faiz to west.By this description Shahid has done value addition to the poem by moving a little far when he says
" Break the glasses " To me ,this is the most appropriate and pointed translation in tune with the mood of the poem . This line that you have commented put me also in trouble when i attempted to translate this great poem.My translation is
" Put out the lights , Keep away the cups and the wine ."
I salute Shahid for his super translation .
Peace be to his soul.
Your own
autar Mota

 

 

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LONELINESS , LIDDER STREAM IN PAHALGHAAM AND A POEM OF MOEN AHSAN JAZBI.

                                                                        

LONELINESS , LIDDER STREAM IN PAHALGHAAM
 

Jo aag lagaai thi tum ne uss ko to bujhaayaa ashkon ne
jo ashkon ke bhadakaai hai uss aag ko Thandaa kaun kare

jab kashti saabit-o-saalim thi, saahil ki tamannaa kisako thi
ab aisee shikastaa kashti mein saahil ki tamannaa kaun kare

duniyaa ne hamein chhodaa aey dil, ham chhod na dein kyon duniyaa ko
duniyaa ko samajh kar baithe hain ab duniyaa duniyaa kaun kare
( Moen Ahsan Jazbi )





       (Photo autar mota 2009 series )                                                                


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LINES FROM PARVEEN SHAKIR'S POETRY .

                              

LINES FROM PARVEEN SHAKIR'S POETRY .


Guzar gayein hain bahut din rafaaqat e shub mein,
Ek umar ho gayee chehraa woh chaand saa dekhe 
Tere sivaa bhi kayee rang khush nazar the magar 
Jo tujh ko dekh chukaa ho woh aur kyaa dekhe 
( Parveen Shakir ).

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"WINTER IN KASHMIR " A WATER COLOUR BY MASOOD HUSSAIN

Cold winds . chill. Schools closed .Snow on mildly frozen Dal lake surface . Everyone staying indoors. Kangri, Cosy Pheran and Heavy woolens . Bountiful nature. Spring just near by. Just one sunshine and the snow wraps up its white blanket .This is Kashmir’s peak winter time . Chille Kallan.Life makes limited demands . But then life has to move on . That idea alone keeps movements .

Masood Hussain conveys similar feeling through this water colour .Masood Hussain’s water colours are nostalgic ,touching and appeal to a wide spectrum of viewers especially those who are connected with Kashmir in any manner .Undoubtedly,this man is a sorcerer of water colours . The negative space in this painting is wonderfully filled with total winter haziness , so real and so close to kashmiris .This is a view of Dal lake with roofless boats known as Demb Naav . These roofless boats are a means of transport for the lake dwellers .Perhaps the man had gone to Boulevard Road and is back trying to get into his boat to be paddled to his dwelling .So natural . So real . Can i add some lines of poet Jaan Nissar Akhtar :

 
Kaun Kehtaa hai Tujhe maine Bhulaa Rakhaa hai .

Teri Yaadon ko kaleje se lagaa Rakhaa hai.
Tooney jo dil ke Andhere mein jalaaya Thaa Kabhi ,
Woh Diyaa Aaj Bhi seene Mein Jalaa rakhaa hai .
Dekh Ja Aa ke Mehakate Huye Zakhamon ki Bahaar,
Maine Ab Tak tere Gulshan ko Sajaa Rakhaa hai .

( Jaan Nissar Akhtar)
 

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TWO COLOURS OF WATER OF HOLY SPRING OF KHEER BHAWANI SHRINE AT TULAMULA

                                               ( Above    View of June 2009  )

                                               ( Above View of March 2010 )    

Kashmiri Pandits believe that the water of the Holy spring of Ragneya Devi or Mata kheer Bhawani shrine of Tulumula changes colour. This colour is indicative of peace or unrest for Kashmir . While blue implies peace and happiness , Mud coloured water warns of some impending trouble . I clicked two views of this holy spring water one in June 2009 and other in March 2010.

Tse Chhuyee Vonmutt Baa Chuss Bozaan Tuss sinz Zaar
Yemiss Aasi naa Vananuss Kaansi Nishee Vaar.

Mother! you listen to the woes of those,
Who by any reason are unable to convey

the same to any other person..                                                                                                                                              





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ME KAFKA'S JOSEPH- K. A PAINTED RELIEF BY MASOOD HUSSAIN

  THE ARTIST CALLS HIMSELF JOSEPH K.    A CHARACTER OF FRANZ KAFKA'S NOVEL" THE TRIAL "

Those who have read FRANZ KAFKA ( 3 July 1883 – 3 June 1924) who worked as Insurance officer, factory manager, novelist and short story writer , are well versed with some strange characters he created. Say for example GREGOR SAMSA in (his widely read book )METOMORPHOASIS . Pity SAMSA who awakes one morning to find himself transformed to monstrous insect. Gregor is marketing man Who works as a traveling sales man for a company. He is the sole bread earner for his family .The story goes on further and the change in the Attitude and Behaviour of his family , employer and society at large towards him is pathetically presented by Kafka when every one finds that he is no more a human being.

KAFKA also wrote THE TRIAL.. This novel is actually the trial of JOSEPH K.. a character created by Kafka . Joseph K is arrested one fine morning for no reasons or without having done anything wrong .He submits to this arrest with a mixture of docility and outrage. When he is called for interrogation , he goes readily . Surprisingly Joseph K accepts the case against him in court and gets absorbed in the machinery of system he can never hope to understand or manipulate .Then Joseph K decides to confront the system . He refuses to accept the nature of the system. His lawyers put him on a track of forgetting the world and living only on a hope of toiling along a false path until the end comes in sight. The trial ends with Joseph K ‘s confusing and sad demise .Like SAMSA , Joseph K is also more than willing to fight back for the control of his life .Kafka intends to convey possibly that there is a human tendency to submit to the authority even when the authority is dubious . Surprisingly at no Point does Joseph K or for that matter the reader learn what he is accused of . Many have written poems on SAMSA and Joseph K . I read a commnetry on Joseph K ‘s failed case . SAMSA and Joseph K , Heroes created by Kafka are close to Albert camus’s hero Meursault . Disturbing but close to life . Truthful like the sun that leaves no shadows.

Great Masood sahib for Joseph K.
 

For characters like Samsa , joseph K or meursault i add these lines of Bulgarian poet Nikola Vaptsarov.

History, will you mention us
In your faded scroll?
We worked in factories, offices –
Our names were not well known.
We worked in fields, smelled strongly
Of onion and sour bread.
Through thick moustaches angrily
We cursed the life we led.
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.                                                                        



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\.