( A sketch of Mahadev Bishta blowing red ants through a pipe done by artist Mohan Raina )
(MAHADEV BISHTA, THE KASHMIRI
ROBIN HOOD )
The story of Mahadev Joo, a Kashmiri Robin Hood is forgotten now. No
grandmother to reveal how he procured the Pyjama of Maharaja Partap Singh by forcing
red ants through a reed pipe while the ruler slept in his bed-chamber. So much
was Maharaja upset with the irritating ants that he threw away his Pyjama to
free himself from the insects. We were told by elders that someone had put up a
challenge to Mahadev Joo for this daring deed and he did it skillfully.
There were two more notorious burglars ( Zsein Tsoor in Kashmiri ) operating in Srinagar along with Mahadev Bishta . A Muslim from downtown Srinagar known as Usmaan Chaasha and a Sikh from Kathi Darwaza known as Layak Singh had become notorious during Maharaja Partap Singh's rule. Usmaan Chaasha was chased by Police and he jumped into the river near Safa Kadal while Layak Singh moved to Punjab and never returned to Kashmir after Maharaja Partap Singh ordered for arrest of both the Burglars who had also attained the status of Robin hood's in Kashmiri society.
And then another story of Mahadev Joo also known as Mahadev Bishta (cat’s
mew ) entering the Mehndiraat
function of Dhar family
of Safa Kadal along with his group for a robbery. This group came in the guise
of singers and Mahadev Joo divided the group for this theft. Some members of
this group sat with Mahadev Joo for the high pitched Chhakri singing
while others engaged themselves with thieving the house. And Mahadev Joo
brought everyone to the singing venue when he sang this:-
“Bishtak baanda
Raanda ho……..
Hashi nishi
aa’tch vaen
Raanda ho ..
Noshi nishi
tchaa’kha
Raanda ho
Tchhaadar
tujh’thaa
Raanda ho …
Voth vaen nerav
Raanda ho.”
(Mewing like a
cat,
O performer!
You are the
terrible,
Go to the
mother in law?
You are the
terrible,
Have you gone
to the daughter in law?
You are the
terrible,
Have you
carried the blankets?
you are the
terrible,
Get up, we
should leave now
You are the
terrible .)
While Mahadev Bishta engaged every member of Dhar family and the guests
with his singing, some members of his group moved through the house for their
assigned task. They were guided by Mahadev Joo through the lyrics of the song
that he was singing. It was already decided in the group before this burglary
that word “Haesh or
mother in law” meant the provisions storeroom while “ Noesh or the
daughter-in-law” meant the expensive jewellery.
We were made to
believe that Mahadev Joo was a man of short stature and a thin body frame. A
man who could climb trees and rooftops to barge into the houses from chimneys known as ‘Vogg’ in Kashmiri. A real-life Mogli who walked with heavy dry grass sandals
or Pullho'r.Many elders told me that during his old age, he was a reformed man
who lived a simple village life. He was a dancer, Chhakri singer and mimic
artist or Baand.
I am told that
Mahadev Bishta belonged to village Gushi of district Kupwara, Kashmir. He could
imitate the voices of many animals particularly that of cats, hence earned the
nickname of Bishta. He had a Chhakri singing party of his own and under its
guise, he would rob the affluent families to help the poor families to marry
off their daughters. Pakistan sponsored tribal raiders killed him in his native
village Gushi, Kupwara sometime in October 1947. However I was also told by some elders that he died of Tuberculosis .
Many elders have told me that Mahadev Joo entered the house of his
target by simply mewing like a cat. The house owner would think it to be a
stray cat and would accordingly try to ward it off by crying," Bishta Bishta ".
He is reported
to have mastered the technique of entering houses from rooftop chimneys
known as ‘Vogg’ in Kashmir. During his old age, he moved back to
his village in Kupwara where the marauding tribal raiders killed him.
My mother's cousin sister who was affectionately known as Arin Jigar
/Behan Pyari ( wife of Radha Krishen Dhar of Vichar Naag, Kashmir ) was a
singer cum poet. In marriage functions of her relatives, she would enthral
every participant with her singing and by creating fantastic accompanying beats
on Gaagar (brass Matka) or Tumbaknaari( A Duffli used in Kashmir). She was a
great performer.
Arin Jigar had a great sense of humour and a sharp wit. Apart from
other compositions that she sang, "Bishtak Baanda " Chhakri was
something special from her repertoire. We learnt the story of Kashmiri Robin
Hood from her.
The story of
Mahadev Bishta remained a part of our folklore. And gradually we forgot our
Kashmiri Robin Hood or Mahadev Bishta.
( Avtar Mota )
Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.
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