A DOHA THAT I WROTE FOR "NAKLI BABAS" OR "FAKE GURUS "

                                                                          

I wrote ...


Keish Dharey topi pehney hai Baba Gyaan sunaaaye
Hum ko to Baba Dakait ya Pahalwan dikh jaaye
Moorakh bolein baba Hai Guruvar Pita Sahaai,
Baba Rasiya bhanvra ban Kar Neech Karam Kar Jaaye.....

(Autar Mota)

    

                                                                                       

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A STREET MAGICIAN / SNAKE CHARMER'S SHOW IN KASHMIR YEAR 1892

                                                                          

A SNAKE CHARMER FROM PUNJAB SHOWING SNAKE SHOW IN DOWN TOWN SRINAGAR 1892.

This Photo was clicked by a European Traveller in Kashmir. You can see even young kashmiri children wearing a Pugrree . I find some Punjabi traders and locals also in the photo.  This Could be old  Maharaj Ganaj Bazaar. The market was set up around 1871 by Maharaja Sri Ranbir Singh (and named after him). The old market was later  gutted.

Before 1947( During summers ), Street Magicians from Rawalpindi would come to Kashmir to earn their bread and Butter. Magicians and snake charmers continued their summer visits even after 1947 But now they would come from the plains of the country mostly from UP, Rajasthan and  MP . During my college days , My friend Kuldeep Machama would join me in watching these magicians and khans on Lal Chowk footpaths . I have heard these snake charmers / magicians telling something like this ;

“ I am doing all this for My bread and Living . If any person in the crowd Knows this magic , he should not interfere in my game . I request him not to stop this game . Then the street magician would say .
“ALHUM BALHUM NAAG HAI RAJA
KHEL NA ROKO SAAMNE AAJA “
( Autar Mota )

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POET DINA NATH NAADIM'S MINI POEM RESULTT

                                                                                    

"Result" is a Mini kashmiri poem that Stalwart kashmiri Poet  Dina Nath  Naadim  wrote in 1975...

(Result)

Hey Kuss chhukh?
Kaeti chhukh Aamut?
Kaeti chhukh Zaamut ?
Kar Chhukh Aamut?

Kyaah chhukh? Kyaah chhukh?
Ba'ddi Ba'ddi Vun sa..
Kyaah insaana?
Kyaah insaana?
Naava vun
Zaata Buu't-raata,
No'nn kaanh Neaba,
Saaf nishaana..
Tyuthh kenh yuthh kaanh ne'ri savaala,
Kaanh Taqseema kaanh Tafreeqa,
Na'taah Gutchh fail tche chhukh imtihaanus

(Dina Nath Naadim )

My English rendering would be...

(Result)

Listen,
Who are you?
Where from have you come ?
What is your birth place?
When have you come this way?

What are you?
What are you?
Say it loudly.
What ?
A human being !
A human being !
Disclose your name,
Disclose your caste,
Your Birth place,
Say Some visible address !
Some clear identification !
Say some thing that
Gives birth to a Question,
Say something that creates Division,
Say something that creates some trouble,
Else move Away,
For having failed in your test
.
(Autar Mota)

—
 
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MY POEM " BABA AND NETA" OR "BABA AND LEADER "

                                                                            
                                                                                 

BABA AUR NETA ......

.
I WROTE A MINI POEM ....


( Baba Aur Neta )

Neta ji Boley " Baba Ji Mantar Gazab Chalaa Do
Apnay Tees Laakh Bhakton ka Vote Hamein Dilvaa do
Dilvaa do Jo Vote Hamein to Chamatkaar Ho Jaave
Mantri jo ban gaye to dekho Hum Bhi Kyaa kar Paave
Land Hadpanaa Bhi Baba Ji hogaa Aap ka Dhandhaa
Kyaa Darogaa Kya patwaari Sab ko Kar Duun Andhaa "

( Autar Mota )

                                                                        
 
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CONTRIBUTION OF KASHMIRIS IN DEVELOPMENT OF CALLIGRAPHY AND ART IN PUNJAB

                                                

FROM THE BOOK....

CONTRIBUTION OF KASHMIRIS IN DEVELOPMENT OF CALLIGRAPHY AND ART IN PUNJAB ..

I quote from   the Book “Punjab Paintings”  by  R P Srivastava ( Page  55 )..

“Kashmiri Contribution in the development of  Painting in Punjab Plains can not be lost sight of . Persons of various  Trades  and Crafts , specially weaving and silk industry , Came to two prominent  Business  Centres of Punjab namely Lahore and Amritsar .Two  most important names that have come down to us as artists cum Calligraphers of very high order . They are Pandit Daya Ram Kaul Tota and his son Pandit Raja Ram Kaul Tota who have left behind several Persian manuscripts with beautiful illustrations . Raja Ram Koul Tota  was a calligraphist with Kohinoor press Lahore . He was a very good artist . He wrote Zaffarnama Guru Gobind singh  . All the illustration and paintings in this book have been Done by Him.
Another work by him is Gulgashat e Punjab  written in 1864 AD. It is the history of Punjab from earlier times till the annexation of Punjab in 1849. Then again Gulabnama and Gulzar e Kashmir written by Diwan Kirpa Ram were transcribed by him. “

( Autar Mota )

PS

 Raja Ram Kaul Tota has also written "RISALA  RAJATARANGINI  in Persian  with Beautiful  illustrations and Paintings  . It covers  history of kashmir  from ancient times upto Complete sikh rule . It   lies preserved as a  Rare Manuscript on the History of Kashmir in National Library of Iran..
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A FRIEND REMEMBERS WELL KNOWN PAINTER GHULAM RASOOL SANTOSH

                                                                

                                 

Mohan Krishen Tikoo ( Born 1935)

( Mobile Photo Autar Mota)

Conversation at his residence Udhaywala Jammu on 23.08.2017..

" So good to see these five Paintings of Ghulam Rasool Santosh in your room . "

"Santosh was a close friend. Such people are rare and very difficult to find now. He was not only a great Artist but a grand Human being as well .He gave a set of 10 small Paintings to me with instructions to hang 5 in my Jammu residence and 5 in Mumbai."

" Why are you limping?"

"You see I have fractured my leg joint. I had a major surgery and was confined to bed. Now I can get up and move a little . Saint Gopi Nath ji whom we fondly call Bhagwan ji , has been kind. I was miraculously saved."

" Can you add something more about your association with Ghulam Rasool Santosh? "

" How much you can hear if I go on telling?.I will tell you two incidents. We published Guru Geeta( for Bhagwan ji 's Ashram) and I went to him for painting the cover of the book. He took the manuscript of the book and told me that to draw the cover page, he would read the book. I went after some days and he had some guest . He told me that needful had been done by him and i had to wait a little. To keep me busy, he gave me a map of Kashmir along with a pen with instructions to mark places of pilgrimage in entire Kashmir valley . I did it . When he came, he added some more pilgrimage centres which I had forgotten to mark. Then he asked me to join all the marked points. I was amazed to see that I had actually drawn a Sri-yantra in this process. He put his hand on my shoulder and said "Mohan ji , our valley is a spread of Sri-Yantra.".

" Another incident that comes to mind is when we invited him to speak at our Ashram once . Do you know who was the other speaker who shared Dais with him? It was world renowned Swami Ranganathananda Head Monk of Rama Krishna Math ; A great illuminating speaker. And Santosh spoke for one hour on TANTRA ,MANTRA and YANTRA .And Swami ji felt so happy and amused"

So long so much....

( Autar Mota )

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WHO DOES NOT MISS THOSE JOYOUS AND CAREFREE DAYS OF CHILDHOOD ?

                                                                               

EK THAA BACHPAN ..CHHO'TA SA NANHAA SA BACHPAN...

 YES  WE SAW  CHILDHOOD .....BRIEF  AND  JUST  A LITTLE OF IT ONLY..

  a time when we were  free from Malice, Carefree and Joyous ...

"Vala Ginduv Chor Police "

" Come Let Us Play "Thief and Police"


Kashmiri children playing .. Habba Kadal Srinagar 1961.

( Autar Mota )

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VEGETABLES OF KASHMIR IN OLDEN DAYS

                                                                   

                                  ( A man selling Turnips on Nala maar 1927 )

                                                ( A Bazaar scene kashmir 1910 )

                                                   ( A Vegetable Shop  in Srinagar 1904 )

                                          ( A Bazaar Scene  1915 in kashmir )
                                                                         

                                        ( Vegetable sellers in Boats  on Nala Maar kashmir  )

VEGETABLES OF KASHMIR ON OLDEN DAYS

  The above photographs have been clicked during the  early part of 20th century . Looking at some photographs of that period, it appears that  Electric Power and Municipal tap water was not available to all  residents of Srinagar city at that time. Some elders say that electric Power  was supplied to city in 1911. The issue needs authentic clarification.  

 A turbine based Mini Power house on Jhelum Banks near present day Old Secretariat was first built to supply electricity to Maharja’s Palace . A Power house was also built at Mohra in 1908 to supply electric power to residents of srinagar City. Initially Power from Mohra was used for dredging river Jhelum and running silk factory apart from lighting Maharaja's Palace and  some offices.

A British Engineer was also engaged by Maharaja for construction of a Reservoir near Harwan for supply of tap water to city .People had no wrist watches , Time pieces or clocks . Just the deafening sound of a Canon fired from Hari Parbat Fort made them believe that it was 12 Noon.

Naala Maar connected Dal Lake with Aanchaar Lake and was a busy waterway to carry goods, vegetables and people using Boats, shikaras and Doongas.

At that point of time , kashmiri vegetable sellers were mostly moving in Boats along Jhelum river or various Inland water canals of srinagar City.

Turnip and Radish ( Round variety ) was brought in Boats for city dwellers who purchased it in bulk during late Autumn for harsh winters ahead . During summers , Green Leafy Haak , Vosta Haak ( Early springtime ) Gourds, Potatoes , Onions , Pumpkins ,Ridge Gourds ( Torella in kashmiri ), Tomatoes and Brinjals were brought by vegetable sellers in Boats .

Cabbage , Cauliflower, Ladyfinger , Spinach , Bitter Gourd ( Karela ), Capsicum and French Beans were unknown to kashmiris at that point of time.

Brinjals , Gourd , Sour apples ( Green ) and Turnips were sun dried and stored for consumption during harsh winters . Apart from Pulses and Lotus stem ( Nadru ) , Dried fish ( Hoggaad ) was also consumed during winters .

Flying Bird ( Shikaar ) was a specialty. So many shikaar sellers would move in the city selling Shikaar .

( Autar Mota )

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MARRIAGE AND CONSUMPTION OF HALWAI MILK IN KASHMIR

                                                                                           

MARRIAGE AND CONSUMING MILK IN A HALWAAI SHOP..

" Tse't Kath .Kattie dikh Koor. Su Chhuyi Darbadari Dass . Me vuchh Dodhaa Baaeti chavaan halwaai vaanus Pyaath "

" Forget the proposal . Where are you marrying your Daughter ? He is a vagrant . I have seen him Taking Kadaai Milk In a Halwaai shop "

' Hey su chhu akh number Darbadari Dass . Sirf cha'vaan dodhi Baatie "

" He is a classical vagrant. Always seen at Halwai shop taking hot milk in katoris "

So Consuming Kadaai Milk in a Halwaai shop was treated as something wastage of money and vagrant Behaviour. You could even get disqualified for a match if seen doing this in conservative kashmiri Pandit society . The photograph shows young kashmiri pandits in Pherans taking Milk in a Halwaai shop in Srinagar. And if seen , they could be cursed as derelicts and vagrants. 

By 1960  , this stigma  of ' DARBADARI -DASS ' was over as kashmiris had started frequenting Halwai shops, Hotels and  Restaurants  . Many Enterprising Punjabis (Sant Ram Sohal , Prabh Dayal and shakti Sweets and more  )   had opened  Halwai and Mithai shops in Srinagar  city. Their Sweets , kadaai Milk , Jalebi and other items were  better in preparation  and  more hygienic .  

After the arrival of Punjabis in Halwai Trade ,  kashmiri  Halwais  shifted to Making  locally popular fried items like  Pakodas , Nadru Monji , Loochi, Teel Kara  and Samosas .

(Autar Mota )

PS

In Zainakadal Gaada Kocha , there used to be a Kashmiri Pandit Halwaai shop till 1967 or 1968. Kash Ram Suri was the proprietor of that shop. Kash Ram would keep a bench inside his shop where some so called "Vagrant"  kashmiri Pandit boys would sit far away from public gaze and relish hot kadaai Milk . Chaman Lal Suri and Nikka Suri ( sons of kash Ram Suri ) had also opened two Halwai shops in Jogilanker Rainawari . Tarakh Halwaai  and Muna Halwai  were also two prominent Halwai shops of Habba Kadal area in  srinagar city. Chuni Lal Halwai of Maharaja Bazaar srinagar  would also sell Kadai Milk and Jalebi.

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A KASHMIRI PANDIT FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHED IN 1925

                                                                                   

A KASHMIRI PANDIT FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHED IN 1925......


SAREE HAD NOT ARRIVED IN KASHMIR AT THAT TIME . ..EVEN YOUNG GIRLS WOULD PUT ON A PHERAN ( SOMETHING  LIKE A CLOAK )...



" SIT DOWN WITH YOUR LEGS CROSSED . YOU LADIES AND GENTS , KEEP SOME FLOWER IN YOUR HANDS. THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE A FLOWER TO KEEP ,LET THEM DO A PRANAAM / NAMASKAAR FOLDING THEIR HANDS AND BE SILENT . LOOK TOWARDS THE CAMERA . A SPARROW WILL SOON COME OUT FROM IT. "


That is what the photographers would tell in olden days when they came to click a group / family photograph ...


( Autar Mota )

                                                     

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LET US LIVE LIKE TREES IN SOLITUDE , SOLIDARITY AND INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM .

                                                                             

LIKE POPLAR TREES IN SOLIDARITY .....

"To live like a tree in solitude and freedom,
And also like a forest in solidarity,
This yearning is ours."

(Nazim Hikmet Turkish Poet)



 
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MADAN LAL DHINGRA ..THE UNKNOWN FREEDOM FIGHTER FROM AMRITSAR ( PUNJAB )

                                                                            

MADAN LAL DHINGRA OF AMRITSAR....

So happy to know that a grand function is being organized by Capt Amrinder Singh CM (Punjab) And Navjot Singh Sidhu ( Cricketer and  Minister )  at Amritsar to honour Madan Lal Dhingra the forgotten Hero of India's freedom struggle.

During my posting at Amritsar , I came to know many things about Madan Lal Dhingra ..He was executed by British rulers on 17th August, 1909 . He was studying Mechanical Engineering in UK at that time. His father Dr Ditta Mal Dhingra was a reputed Doctor and CMO of Amritsar city who had been conferred the Title of "Rai Sahib "by British Government . He had 7 Buggies driven by Horses to ride , the only imported car driven by an Indian in Amritsar during those days and 27 houses in Amritsar city apart from several kanals of agricultural Land in Sahiwal ( sargodha district ) where from the family had moved to Amritsar . 

While studying science in Lahore, young Madan lal got influenced by the "Pagdi Sambhal Jatta" a movement of Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh, uncle of Bhagat Singh.Rai Sahib Dr Ditta Mal Dhingra did not like his son's association with Revolutionaries of that time. A fargati / Disowning notice had also been got published by the father in leading Newspapers at that time. His father even stopped spending money on him and Madan lal did odd jobs to earn a living .  He worked as a clerk and  even became a Tongawalla and a labourer at Bombay Port. 

Even under all these hardships ,the flame of patriotism did not extinguish itself inside his soul . It now burnt more vigorously . 

His elder Brother , who had become Diwan of Jindh state , brought him back to his father . Dr Ditta Mal had already decided to send him out of the country so as to cut him from his revolutionary friends .Now Young Madan moved to UK to study Engineering but got more involved in his revolutionary activities and Freedom Movement of the country . in 1908. When Khudiram Bose , Kanhaiyalal Datt and Satendra Bose were hanged, Dhingra turned restless and decided to take revenge and shot dead Lord Curzon Wyllie . He was caught , tried and executed in London . His family refused to accept his body . After his sacrifice, the family disowned him totally.

Almost all governments ignored this great son of Punjab. Even to this day his own family members have not come out from this Disowning mode. I have not heard them say that 'He made us feel proud'.
Well known  Film Music director Madan Mohan Kohli or Madan Mohan was always feeling proud for having been married to Dhingra's niece from Amritsar.

And Dr Ditta Mal Dhingra was a personal Physician of Maharaja Partap Singh of J&K.
  I am told that It was P V Narsimha Rao ( The then PM of india ) who took some personal interest and got a postal stamp  and first Day cover released in his memory in 1992. 

Will the Government convert the family's House in Amritsar as a National Musuem to Honour this Great son of the soil ?

(Autar Mota)

 
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THE SILENCE OF NAIDYAAR BRIDGE IN RAINAWARI

                                                                                

NAIDYAAR RAINAWARI KASHMIR......

A VERY THIN SHEET OF SNOW ON THE EARTH FOLLOWED BY THE MYSTERIOUS SILENCE OF WINTER . AND SILENT STANDS THE UNCLOTHED  CHINAR TREE AS WELL..........................................

............................MISS YOU .....

...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Ye ajnabi si Manzilein aur raftagaan ki yaad,

Tanhaaiyon ka zahar hai aur ham hain doston......

Aankhon Mein Urr rahi lutti Mehfilon ki dhool,

Ibrat sarai-deher hai, aur ham hain doston........

Phirte Hain Misal-E-Muaj Hawa Shehr Shehr Mein,

Aawaargi Ki Lehar Hai Aur Hum Hain Doston........

( Munir Niazi )

My English rendering would be …….

The present unfamiliar destinations and the memory of misplaced friends,
The poison of loneliness is what we live with now , Dear friends……

These eyes carry the hurting dust of that robbery ,
The robbed circle of friends !
This ruined Serai of existence has only repentance now , Dear friends …..

In city after city , We move like whiff of Air ,
Vagrant and Wanderer has turned our existence now , Dear Friends ...

( AUTAR MOTA )

 
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A RARE PHOTOGRAPH OF INDIRA GANDHI , PANDIT JAWAHAR LAL NEHRU AND BAKSHI GHULAM MOHD.

                                                                                        

WHILE PANDIT JAWAHAR LAL NEHRU AND BAKSHI GHULAM MOHD ARE AMUSED TO WATCH SOMETHING , INDIRA JI IS GETTING BORED .

( PHOTO  CLICKED AT PAHALGHAM   KASHMIR ) 


( AUTAR  MOTA )


 
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THE MIRACLE FROM HUMAN HANDS

                                                                             

THE MIRACLE OF HUMAN HANDS ..

A POTTER MAKING TUMBAKNAAR (Musical Instrument) IN KASHMIR FROM CLAY ..

Eajaaz hai ye in haathon kaa,
Resham ko chhuein to Aanchal hai
Pa’thar ko chhuein to buu’t kar dein,
kaalakh ko chhuein to kaajal hai
Mittī ko chhuein to sona hai,
chaandī ko chhuen to paayal hai
………………….in Haathon ki Taazim Karo
In haathon ki Takreem Karo
Duniya ko chalaane vaalre hain
In haathon ko Tasleem karo……………..

( Ali sardar Jafri from his Poem "Haathon Ka Taraana "or "The song of Hands" )


My simple English rendering would be ..




A Miracle of these hands only !
Should they touch Silk ,
They make it the beautiful hem of a women’s scarf .
Should they touch a stone ,
They transform it to an idol for worship,
Should they touch Black soot ,
A wonderful Kohl for the eyes they make out of it.
And Should they touch Mud ,
They transform it to gold,
A touch to silver ,
Transforms it to the beautiful tinkling Anklet …
………..Respect these hands ,
Revere these hands,
They set the world in motion,
Grant them recognition ………….


( Autar Mota )

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DIALOGUE ….BAITHAK ON 13.08.2017 AT JAMMU...

                                                                

                                ( PROF. R L SHANT AND DR KSHEMA KAUL )

                               ( Prof shant )

                       ( Dr Kshema kaul )

                                ( padamshri Rajinder Tikoo Sculptor  )

                                   ( Sh Narinder safaya )

                             ( Vijay saraf Meenaghe well known artist )

 (  L to R .M L Saraf  Doyen of Theatre in J&K State , Dr Advaitvadini kaul and Shri Utpal kaul )

      

DIALOGUE ….BAITHAK ON 13.08.2017 AT JAMMU....
( Photographs ...Autar Mota )

DIALOGUE is a unique Initiative in our state that has come from some like minded Individuals from the field of Art, Literature, Music , Social service etc. The idea to hold Baithaks ( Sittings ) and involve youth from among various sections of the society has proved of immense utility in Bridging so many gaps .

It is an effort towards promoting integration , Peace and goodwill through Art , literature , Music and social service . Conceived by Narinder Safaya Advocate supreme Court of India and a poet himself, it is supported by a dedicated team comprising of Prof. Arvind Gigoo (English Author) , T K Jalali ( composer , Vocalist and former Principal Institute of Music and fine Arts ) , Makhan Lal Saraf (Doyen of Theatre Movement in J&K State) , Shadi Lal Koul (Well Known Theatre Artist) , Prof R L Shant ( Hindi and Kashmiri writer ) ,Dr Ayaz Rasool Nazki ( Poet , Writer and Former Head ICCR Kashmir ) , Indu Bushan Zutshi ( Writer and Trade Union Leader ) , M K Santoshi ( Hindi Poet and writer ) , Gokul Dembi ( Artist ) , Autar Mota ( writer , Blogger and poet ), Jangs Verman ( Journalist, Photographer and writer ) and Many More Individuals .

In every Baithak , Two Prominent persons from our State from the field of Art , Literature , Drama , Music and social Service are called to speak about their life and work to a select gathering . Every effort is made to involve youth. Some Baithaks (Gatherings) are to be exclusively held for younger generation drawn from various sections of the society .The purpose is to acquaint them with our rich cultural past and peaceful coexistence .
In previous BAITHAKS ( Sittings ) , Sh. Triloke Kaul ( Well Known Artist ) , Sh. Makhan Lal Saraf ( Theatre ) , Dr Ayaz Rasool Nazki ( Poet , writer and Former Head ICCR ) , PadamShri Rajinder Tikoo ( Sculptor ) , Prof R L Shant noted Hindi and Kashmiri writer and Farooq Nazki (well known Kashmiri poet and Media personality), G R Hasarat Gadda ( Writer and critic ), T K Jalali ( Composer and vocalist ) were invited as Principal speakers .

Dr Kshema kaul Well known Hindi short story Writer , Novelist and Poet happened to be the principal speakers in Today’s BAITHAK. She spoke about her Life, Struggle and contribution in the filed of Hindi literature .

It may be in fitness of things to mention that Dr Kshema kaul’s Novel DARDPUR published by Gyanpeeth has come in three successive prints . This Novel has been prescribed as a course Text Book for post Graduation By a prestigious University in Gujrat. . It was a surprise to learn that the Author has earned a Royalty of more than rupees 1 lakh from this Book. The novel has been translated into many Languages within the country . She received many awards for this work. Her other prominent published works include “ Samay ke Baad ( Diary ) ," Nikki Tawi Par Rehearsal ( Novel ) " and “Baadalon Meing Aag ( Poetic collection )”. All these Books have been well received by Public.er Book SAMAY KE BAAD ( DIARY ) Won her  prestigious HRD Ministry Award which she received from Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma the then President of India . Her poems and Book Reviews have been published so many Hindi Magazines published all over india .

She has lived in Delhi and Allahabad . She has traveled to every nook and corner of the country and according to her " I am familiar with so many cultures tied under one basic thread of truth and Humanity ." 

Speaking about Pangs of Exile , Dr Kshema kaul added “ Exile has been a bitter experience . We are a body not a soul. Today you may have all the comforts of life but the very idea of missing your own land and home washes down all these material gains .You are left to think " Why did it happen ? What is My fault ?"

Dr Kshema kaul also clarified many issues relating to her work . According to her , A time comes in the life of a writer when he wants to say something straight and direct. She added that So many things are meant to be put across to a vast audience which is impossible in the language of Metaphors or Camouflages .

Dr Kshema Kaul believes that a writer never stops thinking . Accordingly, her next Project is a Novel on her own sister and sculptor Hema kaul ( 1958-2010 ) . It may not be out of place to mention that Theatre legend   and Art Critic Ebrahim Alkazi ( Founding Director of National School of Drama) has done a film ( For Doordarshan ) on the life and work of  Hema kaul  . Apart from that , Alkazi has also purchased good number of Hema’s Sculptures .

(Autar Mota )

 
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WHEN BOLLYWOOD FILM STARS PLAYED AN EXHIBITION CRICKET MATCH IN KASHMIR

                           

JASHN E KASHMIR 1956.....BAKSHI GHULAM MOHD WITH  NARGIS AND OTHER PLAYERS FROM CRICKET TEAM OF BOLLYWOOD FILM STARS ..

A Cricket match between two teams  of film stars was played during the Jashn e kashmir Celebrations . Raj Kapoor was also seen with Leg-guards and a bat in his hand . Nirupa Roy,Agha and Tragedy king Dilip Kumar were also in white dress  for this Exhibition match.The match was played at present JKCA ground  Chinar Bagh opposite Present Burn Hall School.

The film stars were brought to Kashmir in chartered plane at Government's expenses. Boarding and Lodging arrangements were also made by Government of Jammu And Kashmir.

Jashn e Kashmir was a major effort by Government to showcase Kashmir as a Tourist Destination to  the Nation.

( Autar Mota )



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