SEND A NEW PHYSICIAN TO HEAL OUR WOUNDS !!

                                                                                     
    kashmir Photo 2011

Me Beyee suyee Bonnei Baagun Hundh Hawaa Gotsch

Garan Andher Shureyun Hundh Ruut sadaa Gotsch

Amaa Kaaem Swarga Darruss Shaaf Deutmut

Hakeema Novv Taa Chhokh Balanukk Dawaa Gotsch.

( Arzan Dev Majboor )

Put me again in the coolness of those Chinar Gardens ,

To our Homes , Grant once more the noise of happy children .

Alas ! some one cursed this gateway to heaven ,

Send us a new physician to heal these wounds.                                                              






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\.

MAJBOOR'S POETRY WITH A VIEW OF BADAAM VAARI GARDEN OF KASHMIR

                                                                          

BAADAAM VAARI GARDEN MARCH 2010 PHOTO AUTAR MOTA

Chhe Yaavunn Thaerr Taa Baavatch bal Chhe Mushkaan

Managuss Poshaa ! Diyaa! Kenh Chhumm Naa Baasaan.

Chhu Behtar Doorie Doorey Noor Chhaavunn

Chhanan Maa Posh Yeli Vothhee Vaav Toofaan.

( Arzan Dev Majboor )

This Youthful flower laden branch !

Drenched in perfume and Fragrant !

For sure I may be denied should I go near it and ask for a flower .

What else then but to be away and enjoy its grace ,

Alas ! these flowers may fall to dust , should a storm visit this garden


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\.

HUNGER STRIKES AND RAJATARANGINI OF KALHANA

                           
A VIEW OF HAARI PARBAT FORT FROM BADAAM VAARI GARDEN . PHOTO AUTAR MOTA JULY 2011                         

HUNGER STRIKES  AND  RAJATARANGINI OF KALHANA

As per  KALHANA ,Sitting down for a solemn fast or Hunger strike was also used as a weapon by weak against the strong in Kashmir . This is  mentioned by him   in his Rajatarangini as PRAYOPAVESA.  Kalhana also informs that the kings used to appoint  officials  to watch  hunger strikes . There is a story that kalhana  narrates about King jayapida  in IV Taranga . The king  persecuted his subjects and confiscated  their  properties  . Many subjects emigrated abroad  and  those who remained resorted to  hunger strikes to force the king to mend his ways . 

Individuals and groups used it as a weapon to redress their grievances against the establishment or against some unbearable measure or law formulated by the king or the rulers . In Kashmir the practice was started by Budhists and obviously might have been absorbed by later philosophic systems . The core of this practice was  the principle of self sacrifice  .

( Autar Mota )

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\.

A VIEW OF HAARI PARBAT FORT FROM BADAAM VAARI GARDEN KASHMIR

                                                                               

Autar Mota is sure that holding hands together , one day we shall sing these lines .
((Photo Autar Mota 2011)

Gaash Dapaan “He Bar Mutchraav ”

Bar Peith Pokk Beyee Sontukk Vaav .

Prathh Shakhsuss Az Lol Chhu Naav

Lassanukk Bassanukk Nov ChikChaav

Az Naa Chhe Paamai Az Naa chhe Graav.

Myon Marun Chhuy Oush Vothhraav.

(Autar Mota )

Declaring its arrival , sunlight knock at our door ,

Behold ! The spring Breeze too moves past Our dwellings .

Today every one is named as LOVE in this city ,

 what a new Zeal to live the life and be here ?

Love ! No Complaints today.

Love ! No Taunts today .

Love ! Listen ; " Wipe these tears now"

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\.

TWO VIEWS OF KASHMIR AND SOME LINES FROM POEMS OF LATE ARJAN DEV MAJBOOR

    

A summer view of Vitastaa or jhelum.

Photo Autar Mota

Athhuss Vuchhtumm Raekhunn Kyaa Chhumm Me Taqseer

Baa Gomutt Hang ta Mangay Kyaazi Chhuss Geer

Baa Yodhvaai Gaash sadiyunn Hundh Rachhaan Aass

Amma Veyokhtuy Banovukh Myon Tasveer.

( Arjan Dev Majboor )

Just look at the fate lines in my hand ,

And let me know my fault Love !

Tell me why this pain and suffering !

Having preserved the Light for centuries ,

Why i myself am now being put in this darkness?

  RAIN CLOUDS OVER  HARMUKHA PEAKS OF KASHMIR

 PHOTO AUTAR MOTA 

       

Aaesh Saaet Chhalnaai Paadh Kaashirye

Greeshminie vaariye vaatukh naa

Majboor Praraan Chhuye Lo-lariye

Valla roodh jarriye kar Thahraav.

( Arjan Dev Majboor )

Kashmiris shall wash thy feet with their pent up tears ,

Shall you not visit their abodes in hot plains ?

This “Majboor ’’ too is waiting for you in his abode ,

Come rain ! Come from our valley ,

And Stay with us for some time.                                                     
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\.

SAFFRON FIELDS OF PAMPORE IN MARCH 2011: A VIEW AND A MINI POEM.

 To This view of Pampore  Plateau ( Saffron Fields )   I add a self composed quatrain. ( Four Line Poem )                                                                            


Vuddarich Fulayaa sontukk Vaavaa.
Thheikk Preichh Preichh He Aawaa Aawaa.
Kyaa Saa Kaaetie Chhivv Kar Feeriv Gharr,
Hoeum sinz paama Yem Sinz Graava.
( Autar Mota )

The Blooming Plateaus and the delicate spring breeze ,
Feel tired asking every one " Did he come? Did he come?"
Where are you love ?When shall you return ?
One taunts while the other complains now .




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\.

ALI MOHD. LONE'S DRAMA SUYYA .

                                                                                
                                               Above : 3 Photographs of Awantipora Temple ruins .

                                    Above :. Exact confluence point  of Jhelum and Sindh stream In kashmir

                                                                            
                                        River Jhelum or Vitasta below old sopore Bridge .

                                                                       
                                              Above :Jhelum Near pampore town  kashmir 

ALI MOHD LONE AND SUYYA


Ali Mohd lone was a skilled craftsman of Radio plays . Very impressive dramas with emotions , romance and idealism . Some of his plays that i remember are ; Agar Gaash Soree ( If lights go out ) Aadam Havaa Taa Iblees ( Adam , Hawa and Iblees ), Kaaend Sehraav Taa vajood ( Thorns , Desert and existence ), Viz Chhaa Saaen ( This moment Is ours ) , Taqdeer saaz ( Maker of our fate ) Myaani Dil ke daadei Voathh ( Arise o the pain Of my heart ) and Suyya . etc etc . Out of all these plays and many other Plays that Ali Mohd lone wrote , Suyya alone can put the playwright in a category of master playwright . Inspite of many handicaps like lack of working knowledge of Sanskrit language ( that opens doors of the Old and classical literature of the country) , the playwright has really laboured hard to create this master piece . For this drama , the playwright has mainly relied on Stein’s English Translation of Kalhana’s Rajtarangini . Some characters have been mentioned by Kalhana while others have been created by the playwright to fill up various loose ends in creating the Impressive character of SUYYA. He wrote the play in 1964. Characters created by Ali Mohd lone for this play are as under

1 Suyya
2 King Awantivarman
3 Chandaal
4 Chandaalini
5 Chanderkaanta
6 Pandit
5 Minister
6 Jaideva
These Characters are supported by some women, Brahmins , Labourers ,girls , boys , Drum beater and some courtiers of King Awantivarman. KALHANA informs us that Suyya is born in the family of Chandaals  . He is not believed when he says that he shall stop the havoc of floods in Vitasta river .Finally King Awantivarman takes a chance and Suyya does the impossible.

Awantipora was once capital of King Awantivarman (855-883 A D) who laid foundation of this city during his reign. A town still exists in the name of Awantivarman as Awantipora. The town has two important monuments In the shape of Ruins of Two Majestic Temple complexes built by AWANTIVARMAN which at present stand as an attraction for the visitors/tourists . Though not equal in size to Lalitadittya 's structures especially the SUN TEMPLE OF MARTAND PLATEAU , yet they rank among the most imposing monuments of ancient Kashmir architecture.The reign of this king is considered as the peaceful period in the history of kashmir.With the help of Suyya a celebrated Engineer in his Kingdom , Awantivarman removed the recurrent havoc in kashmir caused due to Floods in Jhelum by building Bunds and an extensive Drainage system changing the very course of River near Baramulla Town . He also built Flood Channels in Srinagar City. As per Kalhana ( Taranga V 125 ) he died at the mountain of Tripuresvara ( Modern Triphar ) . He did not indulge much in territorial conquests but laid the foundation of a very good adminstration and governance .

“ On the Bank of Vitasta where she emerges from the waters of the MahaPadma , he Founded a town comparable to the Paradise to bear his own name.”
(Fifth Taranga Canto 118 Rajtaringini of Kalhana )

This is how Kalhana describes the birth of Sopore, the town founded by Suyya on the banks of vitasta where it emerges out from Wular ( MahaPadma ) Lake . This lake finds mention repeatedly in Taranga Fifth of Rajtaringini. Approximately 1100 years ago Suyya ensured that the bed of the river is lower than the bed of wular lake at the place where it emerges out from this lake .That made the water to rush out else the lake would have engulfed entire area upto Manasbal and the havoc of floods in Vitasta would have made life miserable for the entire population of valley.

Suyyapore or present day Sopore was founded (in later part of 9th centuary ) by SUYYA the engineer in the court of king Avantivarman (855-883 AD) after he dredged VITASTA near Baramulla to save Kashmir from the fury of reccurring floods.
As per Asian Agri. History Vol.13 , Sindh stream used to meet Vitasta atTrigam but it was SUYYA who shifted the confluence point of Vtasta and Sindh stream to present day Shadipora ( Prayaag ) and also regulated the flow of Vitasta to wular lake . Suyya had thus many villages reclaimed near Trigam area which would otherwise always remain inundated due to floods . Paddy cultivation was extensively undertaken in these large tracts of reclaimed land . Due to Suyya 's extensive irrigation system , one kharwar of rice came down from 200 dinnars to 36 dinnars in the reign of Avantivarman.
There is an interesting story narrated by kalhana in Rajtaringini as to how SUYYA dredged the river at many points.He took pots full of gold coins in boats and threw them into Vitasta waters at Present day Khannabal , Shadipora , Baramullah and at all places where its choked currents overflowed its banks . People jumped into the river at all places and dug its bed for months to find the coins . Many boulders and heaps of silt were thrown on the banks of the river . Through this process he ensured the dredging of the river.

( Autar Mota )

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\.

DINA NATH NAADIM'S OPERA '" VITASTA " OR RIVER JHELUM OF KASHMIR

                                            Ruins of King lalitaditaya's Martand sun temple.

                                    Khaan kaah Shaah e Hamdaan on Vitasta banks near Fateh Kadal  

                                           Shesh Naag stream near Pahalghaam that merges with Lidder stream which finally merges with Vitasta . Shesh Naag stream brings water from Shesh naag lake .                                                                                                         
                                                       

                              Sindh stream near ganderbal bridge . This stream  Joins vitasta at shadi pora .                                  

                                                                            
                             A view of river Vitasta near saffron town of Pampore kashmir .


DINA NATH NAADIM 'S OPERA VITASTA 


(Sangaruvv gaash hyott lolee lalvunn ye...
vyeth Aayee mahaarein sonnay ye—
Thhadee thhadee heyitoass badeiy vanvunn ye,
Vyethh Aayee mahaarein sonnay ye …
Raaza Volruss guvv meull Neel Naaguss
Lolla Kossum assi Baaguss Phaaell
Yetschi Kaael Zoonei Az Tseoll Assi Gruhanuy
Vyethh Aayee Mahaarein Sonuy ye .

( Lines from opera Vitasta by Dina Nath Naadim )

.Look !The mountain peaks are cuddling sun light in their lap,
Here comes bride vitasta to our land (kashmir).
come join to sing melodious suhaag songs loudly for her,
Behold !Here comes vitasta to our land (kashmir).
King wular met his bride from Neel Naaga
And this garden of kashmira blooms with flowers of Love ,
As if the moon emerged after a prolonged eclipse ,
Behold ! Here comes bride Vitasta to our kashmira

The story of Kashmir valley begins with the story of Nagaas , Pisachaas , kashyapa ( son of Marichi and grand son of Brahma the creator of the whole universe ), sharika (appearing as a sparrow with a pebble in her beak which is thrown on Water Demon Jalodhbhava to kill him ) and finally the draining out of the water of Satisara lake to create land mass .
Apart from this it is also the story of Vaitastika or Vitasta or Veyth .Though Nilmata Purana makes clear mention of more than sixty rivers of our State yet the rivers that can be identified presently are broadly Chanderbhaaga ( Chenab ), Devika ( Between Raavi and Chenab and flows near Purmandal Tirtha of jammu ), Iraavati ( Raavi ) Hiranya ( either Arrin near Bandipora or another name of Kanakvaahini or what we call kreink Nadi that moves down from Gangabal lake to join Sindh stream ), Madhumati ( Flows through Bandipora town to join wular or Mahapadma lake ) and Vaitrani ( Reimbaraa of shopian ) etc.etc. But the name of the magnificent Vaitastika or Vitasta finds repeated mention as a harbinger of peace and prosperity of kashmira. .In fact the story of Kashmir is the story of this great river . There is a reason to this. We know it well that Water from every sacred Spring or Lake or Stream of Kashmir finally merges with the water of this river only.

. Originating from Nila Naag or what we call Verinaag spring , this river finally joins Wular lake near Sopore and emerges out of it to move further .The journey of this river is the journey of a civilization down 5000 years roughly. Here on the Banks of this river, Army of King Porus stopped the advance of Alexender the great for some time though Porous was finally defeated .Ancient greeks called it Hydaspes . History also informs us that Forces of Alexender the Great crossed this river somewhere near the modern city of Jhelum ( Now in Pakistan ) and he could not move further due to death of is horse Bucephalas.
This river is witness to the arrival of many saints , sages , warriors , travelers and even refugees from all parts of the world who finally merged in its cultural stream . The river is a witness to the Chant “Budham Sharnam Gatchhaami .” as also to the arrival of Adi Shankara or a group of about 700 Syeds from Central Asia headed by Shah e Hamdaan . It is privy to eloquent sermons of Lal Ded to crowds saying “ SHIV CHHUYEE THAAELI THAAELI ROZAAN , MO ZAAN HEYOND TAA MUSALMAAN OR shiva resides everywhere . Do not distinguish between a Hindu or a Musalmaan ”. The river also heard Sheikh Nur Ud din or Alamdaar e Kashmir say “BAAR KHODAAYA PAAP NIVAAR or Oh God ! Unburden us of our sins ” Great lalitaditya and compassionate king Zain Ul Abdin too grew in its lap. The river is a witness to the rule of Sahi Kings, Sultans from Swat , Chaks , Afghans ,Sikhs and Dogras. The frightening roar of Veshav stream ( a stream that joins Vitasta ) in the shape of the majestic water fall of Aharbal near shopian is silenced when mother VITASTA takes it in her lap at SANGAM near Bijbihara . So is the murmur of Lidder stream silenced when it merges with VITASTA near Khannabal in Anantnaag district .When Sindh stream embraces Vitasta near shadi Pora, it creates an ocean like vastness and the historical Teertha Prayaag.The chinar tree at this confluence is a grand witness to this SANGAM since many centuries . We have also seen this river entering Wular lake to slip into nothingness and emerge out refreshed and bathed liked a bride.

The Budhist Chant " Budham Sharanam Gatschaami " , , Hari Parbat , KhaanKaah shah e Hamdaan, king Lalitaditya ,king Zain Ul Abdin or Budshah , lal ded and Nund reshi find a due place in this opera . Naadim sahib’s opera is the story of this river and the civilization that grew on its banks . It is the story of lush green paddy Fields , Saffron karewas of Pampore , Birds , flowers Springs , streams , lakes and colours of kashmira . It is the story of kaam Dev, Vasuki Naaga , Gautam Naaga( Near village Krungsoo Ananat Naag ) , Ananat Naaga( Present day Naag Bal Ananat Naag ) , Neel Naaga (Veri Naag ) , Sodar Naaga ( present Day Naran Naag near Kangan ) , Tasaka Naaga ( Near Zewan or the shrine of Jwala ji) , Mansa ( Manasbal lake) , Shesh Naaga ( Enroute Amar Nath Tirtha and the water of this lake joins river lidder near Pahalghaam and lidder finally joins Vitasta ) , Kounser Naag ( a lake in Pir Panjaal area in close proximity to Ahar Bal water Fall.),Mahapadma ( present day Wular lake ) Aksipala Naag ( Present day Achabal Naag ).

Sonaa Saeund sangar Roppa Kohh Maalay
Mrig Taayee Baal Tshe Poash pooza –
-Koall Raavaan Amrit Naaet naaereiy ,
yuthh reish vaareiy vitastaa Raatsshe.

( Dina nath naadim lines from Opera Vitasta )


Golden are the peaks and silvery its mountains ,
Appearing like showering worship flowers to gods .
Its rivers bring amrita alone .
o Vitastyaa ! you alone have protected this garden of Reshis ( kashmir ).


It is a story of bride Vitasta with many companions and playful mates comprising of various streams , lakes and springs like Sindh , Veshav , Lidder , Madhumati , Arrin ( in female category ) and Neel Naaga , Vaasuki Naaga , Kaarkot Naaga, Shesh Naaga ,Kounser Naaga , Kaaj Naaga , Gautam naaga Kaam Dev , etc. etc. ( in male category ) moving to meet her beloved or Wular Raaza ( wular lake ) . Naadim sahib has beautifully and skillfully crafted this opera projecting Vitasta as a girl from MARAAZ ( southern areas of kashmir or areas of Anantnaag, shopian , kulgaam districts ) going down to meet a prince wular from KAAMRAA.Z( northern areas of Kashmir like sopore , Baramulla, Bandipora , Kupwara and Handwara etc.) . Through this opera , Naadim sahib conveys that the parental home of Vitasta is Neel Naaga ( veri naag spring presently ) falling in Maraaz while her beloved prince Wular Raaza ( Wular lake ) is a resident of Maraaz .

Maraazuss munz dapaan yelli neel naaguss
Prazalvein koor akh zaayuss vitasta..
yapaarei kaamraaz zaamut raaza potraa
su zunn adh ouss siriyukk sholvunn gaah
(lines from opera vitasta)
In Maraaz a beautiful daughter named vitasta is born to neel naag and
so in kaamraaz a prince with face as bright as sun is born.

(Lines from opening part of the opera )

Bride vitasta hails from Maraaz while Wular Razaa is from Kaamraaz. To meet her beloved vitasta sings

"kaam deiv taathei saanei rott me choan daamun,
Hunnie hunnie chhumm me chaaen mani-kaamunn.

O dear! O Kaam Deva! Here am i to be in thy company alone.
My being intensely longs for thy love alone
Now see what Kaam dev says to Vitasta

Neel naagein laavie poash gondharee-
sondhari tse kussiey praaraan chhukh

-"o you youthful flower from Neel Naag , o you gracious beauty! Tell us for whom are you waiting

Naadim sahib has conceived a classical concept for the opera creating a beautiful male female division for lakes , springs and streams of Kashmir projecting Vitasta as the bride queen and wular as her beloved prince . The Mehndiraat song for river vitasta that Naadim sahib composed goes as under

Sonna shraan kaaertoss Ropp Kaayaaye __
Az Vitastaa ye Maanzi Raat...
Lageine Logg Soaz HarMukh Gangaaye __
Az Vitastaa ye Maanzi Raat.


"Wash her silvery body with gold like water .
Today is Mehndi Raat of our Vitasta river.
Even Ganga-Bal Lake has started playing its Music ,
Today is Mehndi Raat of our Vitasta river.


Long back , i saw the opera VITASTA performed by some senior artists of Kashmir at Tagore Hall srinagar . It was a sheer delight. Lively music . Elevating poetry . Poetic interpretation of the flow of this heritage river with glorious past and documented history . I vividly remember that senior artist Makhan lal Saraf had played the role of Wular Razaa in this opera at that time. Once this song and dance play was over ,Mirza Afzal Beg walked up to the dais and hugged Makhan lal saraf for his superb acting as Wular Raaza ( a name given to Wular lake of kashmir by Naadim sahib for this opera ). Abodes of many saints and sages , shrines , mosques and temples of kashmir lie on its banks . To quote Khaan kaah Shah e Hamdaan, Ganpatyaar , Soom Yaar , Ziyarat at BulBul lanker , shrine of Reshi Peer etc. etc. Those who want to read this Opera must possess some basic knowledge of kashmir’s history ( ancient ), rivers , springs to understand Characters like NEEL NAAG , VASUKI NAAG ( A spring near Veri Naag . This spring water forms a big stream irrigating larg area for about 6 months . ), KARKOT NAAG ,SHESH NAAG, WULAR , KOUNSAR NAAG , TRI SANDHYAA( This is the name of a spring in Anantnaag district near Brang . The spring reportedly remains dry for most parts of the year except for the months of April and may ) , VEYTH VOTTUR ( A group of seven springs near veri naag and this group of springs is also kown as Sapt Reshi . These springs are full of water during six months of summer ) . RUDRA SANDHYA ( A spring near verinaag . ) BRANG ( A spring exists at this place and the place lies on way to Veri naag from Anantnaag near larki pora ) LIDDER ,SINDH ,VESHAV, MADHUMATI and many more similar Names.. Great work . Great mind . Great concept . Beautiful poetic flow of the opera . The verses from this opera are a treat to every kashmiri . kashmiri Pandits consider river Vitasta a Teerthaa. They would celebrate its Birthday by lighting Lamps on its Banks . 

                                     

                                                                                                         


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\.

EMPORIUM BUILDING RESIDENCY ROAD SRINAGAR AND THE GARDEN GIVEN A TOTAL FACE LIFT

                                        
This is government Arts Emporium Building Residency Road srinagar . The building  suffered extensive damage in a devastating fire some years back but it goes to the credit of the government and INTACH J&K chapter that the building has been restored to its original glory .  Previously the British Residency was housed in this complex only.The  emporium garden too has been beautified . you find more trees and flower beds . fountains have also been added . I found that the Deodaar tree which i saw some years back has grown  up in stature and grace . so are the chestnut and other fruit trees.  . 

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\.