DINA NATH NADIM 'S OPERA VITASTA
Vitasta River
Photos.. Avtar Mota
( A Photograph Artists Performing Opera VITASTA and three videos uploaded from YouTube )
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 .
Vunn Tchei Vigineiy laraan aayeiy
Roagi Roagi Dimhoass Tchhaai Meeith
Thhadei Thhadie Heimhoass Meuth Vunvunai
Vyathh Aayee Mahaarin Soanuye
( Lines from opera Vitasta written by Dina Nath Nadim )
Look !The mountain peaks are cuddling sunlight in their
lap,
Here comes bride Vitasta to our land (Kashmir).
Come join to sing Melodious Bridal songs loudly for her,
Behold !Here comes vitasta to our land (Kashmir).
King Wular met his bride from Neel Naaga
And this garden
of kashmir
As if the moon emerged after a prolonged eclipse ,
Behold ! Here comes bride Vitasta to our land ( kashmir)
Dancing Fairies Marched from forests declaring
“ let us silently kiss her shadow,
Let us sing in high pitch ,
Songs seeking blessings,
Behold!Here comes Bride Vitasta to our land ( Kashmir ) ”
The stage adaption of Vitasta was done by the J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages. It was directed by Pran Kishore Kaul and its music was composed by well known musician Virender Mohan .The music arrangement was done by Shri T K Jalali( noted musician ) who also lent his voice to two duets "Vyath aaikhai shrutch tan naevith" and "che chhukh oash myonui ..,Tche pamposh myonui " with Shamima Dev Azad.Many singers and musicians from Kashmir were associated with this opera in one way or the other. Those associated included Kishen Ji Langoo, ON Raina, Ghulam Hassan Sofi and many more. The costumes for the opera were designed by well-known artist G R Santosh. The opera was played at various cities of the country. At Kolkata, Jyoti Basu was present in the audience that saw the opera in a packed auditorium.
Previously in 1968, the radio version of the opera named Vyath was produced by Qaiser Qalandhar for Radio Kashmir, Srinagar.
The story of Kashmir valley begins with the story of Nagaas , Pisachaas , Kashyapa ( son of Marichi and grandson 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 landmass .
Sethaa Pathhaa kaalie akh vassie samandhar
Sati Hundh ouss Athh Nakhaa Loall Maaleun
Tavaai assis vanaan saari satisar
Kohuss pyath Baal Teintalein Thhoangein Pyaath
Basaan Tappa Reish Soaraan Dayya Naav Har Dham
( from Opera Vitasta )
This land of ours, A vast lake in ancient times,
With Sati’s adorable homeland nearby .
And for this reason also known as SATISAR,
On peaks and mountain tops around the lake,
Lived venerating Rishis meditating day and night …
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 Kashmir. .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 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.
Soann Siendh Sangar Roapp Koahh Maalai
Marg Ta Baal Chhei Poashei Poash
Koall Raavaan Amrit
Naett Naarey
Yuthh Reishi Vaarie
Vitasta Raatchh
( From Opera Vitasta )
Golden are your
Mountains And silvery are the peaks
The Hills and the
valleys are nothing but flowers .
Pitcher loads of Amrita flows down your streams ,
O Vitasta !You are
the guardian of this land.
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 thalli thalli rozaan " meaning "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.
Vyethh MaarMaenz Khaetch Praathh Akiss Taarey
Raaza Taa Baadshaah Thhaavith Goash
*Lalitaditt Beyi *Badshah Gaarey
Yethh Reishi Vaarie Vitasta Raatchh..
( From Opera Vitasta )
Gorgeous Vitasta turned out to be Darling of Every one over here,
Even the kings and the Sultans flourished under her poise .
Singing glory of Lalitaditya and Badshah ,
O Vitasta ! You are the Guardian of this land of Rishis …
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 waterfall 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 Anantnag 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 for 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 . Nadim'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 Kashmir . 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 ).
Nadim has 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
KAAMRAAZ( Northern areas of Kashmir like Sopore , Baramulla, Bandipora ,
Kupwara and Handwara etc.) . Vitasta (daughter of Neel Naaga )
falls in Maraaz while her beloved
prince Wular Raaza ( Wular lake ) is a resident of Kaamraaz . 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 , Arin (
in female category ) and Vaasuki Naaga , Kaarkot Naaga, Shesh Naaga ,Kounser
Naaga , Kaaj Naaga , Gautam Naaga etc.
etc.( In male category ). Other characters in the opera are Bodharhast ( A
Buddhist sage who lives at Parihaaspora
), kaam Dev, Wular , Kaaj Naag ( father of
Prince Wular )
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 the face as bright as sun is born.
(Lines from the 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
Nadim 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. A 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 .And Kashmiri Pandits consider river Vitasta a Teerthaa. They would celebrate its Birthday by lighting Lamps on its banks .
Swarga hawaa praraan Anawaarey
Thhavie na kaanh Meiti Saazus Goash .
Ranga Tcheiri Vigeini Ta vunn Tche Haareiy
Yuthh Reishi Vaarie Vitasta Raatchh….
( Dina Nath Nadim From Opera Vitasta )
The Breeze from Heaven Waits and waits over here
For anyone to listen to its Soothing music ..
The Territory of colourful birds, Fairies and Sparrows ,
O Vitasta!You are the guardian of this land of Rishis…
( Avtar Mota )
Wednesday, September 19, 2012 ... Time 9.15 PM..... Good Night
CHINAR SHADE by Autarmota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.