SHIV SUTRAS OF RISHI VASUGUPTA OF KASHMIR

                                                                                

                        


KNOWLEDGE IS A BONDAGE ...
 ( Photo Autar Mota ...A painting depicting Shiv Sutra no 2 by Artist Gokul Dembi )

SHIV-SUTRAS OF RISHI VASUGUPTA OF KASHMIR

So much discussion. So many Scholars . So many Books . A Proud Cultural Heritage of kashmiris in General and Pandits in Particular. I tried to know it. Tried to read some Books . Read Articles and heard discourses . Could not Grasp Much as no person could present it in a simple and Layman’s language ; A language that a beginner could grasp.

And then of my own efforts, i came to Rishi Vasugupta’s Shiv Sutras .

Generations of kashmiris shall remain indebted to Rishi Vasugupta for presenting something Great , Simple , Philosophical and mind Boggling through his 77 Shiv-sutras ( aphorisms). I Read them one and all. It took me three days to understand the enormous Philosophical dimensions of some Sutras that come in just one line. Most of us have not come to kashmir’s Shaiva-Darshana from this way. At least I can say for myself.

I quote Ten Sutras …

(a)

Knowledge is bondage.
(b)

Origin is the basis of knowledge.
(c)

Only awakening is knowledge.

(d)

Most mysterious is the mind.
(e)

There is a feeling of one being like Shiva.

(f)

Body is an Offering .

( g)

Mind is the soul.

(h)

Consciousness becomes sublime when imagination is mastered.

(j)

Existence is eternal but life has end.

(j)
— Concentration into the origin of creation causes knowledge of why it is destroyed and created again.

I leave it to readers to think about various dimensions of these simple one line sutras ..
Enter the world of kashmir’s Shaiv Darshana through these Sutras .

( Avtar Mota )

PS

* Sage Vasugupta (~ 800 – 850 CE) was the author of the Shiva Sutras, an important text of the Advaita tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, also called Trika..It is believed that these Sutras were revealed to the sage somewhere near Present day Harwan garden .

** I found a sprinkling of Shiv sutras in the   Kashmiri Bhakti poetry of Mahatama Krishen Joo Razdan of Kashmir .According to Shiv Sutras ,Want of awareness is Maya and  deep sleep.

Awareness  dispels Maya. A real Sadhaka only desires awareness.  Mahatma  Krishen Joo Razdan says:-

"Hosh dim lagayo Pamposh Paadan"

" O Lord! Grant me awareness.This life at your lotus feet"

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S C SHARMA AND SONS..AN OLD TAILORING SHOP IN JAMMU

                                                                                     

S C SHARMA AND SONS Tailors
Link Road / Shastri Nagar Jammu
( Established 1952)

I have been visiting this shop since last 30 Years. I have seen the tidy senior Sharma ji ( at the Link Road shop ) in a Tweed Coat and Raymond's  (Grey woolen ) Trousers with a Tie and cap on his head guiding his two sons . Talking to him was always enriching. He knew anybody and every body in politics, Trade and Bureaucracy . During Darbar Move, he had many Bureaucrats as his customers. If Ghulam Rasool And Sons (Residency Road Jammu ) specialized in stitching Coats and three piece suits , Sharma ji had mastery over Shirt, Night suit, Trousers, Safari suits , Kurta Pyjama stitching in Jammu. For Night suit, Trousers and Shirt stitching ,this shop still enjoys a good reputation in Jammu city. 

Senior Sharma ji is no more now. The brothers have separated . Apart from Link Road , they have set up a shop at Shastri Nagar Just opposite to Dudhadhari Temple. At both the shops, they have maintained their stitching Standard.Both the brothers stitch Men's suits and trendy Fashion apparel. Link road shop is more into Fashion and trendy apparel stitching and business .

  Although both brothers are equally  skillful  and trained,  I prefer Shastri Nagar shop. I find more compatibility with the owner of this shop. 

No match for the shirt ,Kurta Pyjama, Trousers and Night suit ( Rs600/= Current charges with Piping) that he stitches  .  Not in the entire state. He stitches  Men's suits and    Sherwanis as well. Try once and you will come to him again and again.

Both the brothers are authorized stockists and sellers of Reid And Taylor Unstitched Fabric / clothing.
(Autar Mota)

 
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DR. RAHI MASOOM RAZA , MAHABHARATA AND KASHMIR

                                                                                  

                                   

Dr RAHI MASOOM RAZA ( 1927-1992)

THE STORY BEHIND HIS WRITING OF THE MEGA SERIAL "MAHABHARATA ".

"I am the son of three mothers.Nafisa Begum  ( Biological Mother) , AMU and River Ganga.i gift this book "Scene 75 " to them. Nafisa Begum is dead.I can't remember her very clearly. But the other two mothers are alive and I remember them well." Dr Rahi Masoom Raza.

Kunwarpal Singh, Dr Rahi 's friend and colleague at Aligarh Muslim university informs :
" His Decision to move to Mumbai was triggered by his marriage to Nayyar Jahan in 1965. Nayyar Jahan was already married and despite opposition , he went ahead with his decision to marry her. A full blown scandal erupted at AMU by this marriage and Dr Rahi lost his job. His rivals at AMU got a big excuse. They were opposed to his attempts of introducing Hindi courses in the Urdu Department and Vice Versa." 

In Bombay , life was tough. His friends Kamleshwar and Dharamvir Bharati did support him initially. They published his work in the Hindi Magazines that they edited and ensured advance payments to him. Raj khosla was impressed by his style and work.He engaged him for his films as script cum dialogue writer. 

Rahi  had a  mastery over Urdu and Hindi .That proved of immense help. Soon BR Chopra brought him in his camp . When BR Chopra requested Rahi to write TV Script and dialogues for Mahabharata, he refused as he had no time.  B R Chopra  went ahead with a press conference wherein he declared that Dr Rahi Masoom Raza shall be writing dialogues and script for his mega TV Serial Mahabharata. Rahi felt surprised and B R  Chopra  was flooded with letters that said:

" This is not fair. Many Hindu writers can do the script in a better way . What is the need to engage a Muslim when so many Hindu scholars and writers are easily available ? " 

 B R Chopra  forwarded all these letters to Rahi .And B R Chopra knew his job and the man whom he trusted . He remained  adamant on Rahi Masoom Raza .

Born in Ghazipur (UP) ,Rahi was a real Ganga Putra or a  'Chhora Ganga Kinare wala'  .  Moved by the trust and confidence of BR Chopra in him, Rahi Masoom Raza  went to  B R Chopra's Bungalow and told him:

"Chopra Sahib ! I will write the Mahabharata. I am a son of the Ganga . Who knows the civilization and culture of India better than i do? "

His son Nadeem Khan (Cinematographer) informs:

" Writing Mahabharata took it's toll in his health.He aged fifteen years in that time. He read a lot of scriptures and was always stressful. He could not afford to go one step wrong. He was a Shiva-Bhakt.After Mahabharata ,he wanted to script " Om Namah Shivaye" ; But that was not to be.He died at 65 . Looking at the grand success of Mahabharata, I urged him to charge higher fee for his work but he always refused . Everyday we had ten or fifteen people at the Dastarkhwaan. He was known to write films free and sometimes just for a Paan."

Dr Rahi belonged to an aristocratic family from Ghazipur. His brother Dr Moonis Raza was among the founder chairman of JNU and VC of Delhi University . Another brother Prof. Mehndi Raza headed Geography Department in AMU. His fourth brother was Ahmed Raza , an Economist who worked with IMG in Washington. Dr Rahi's sister Suraiya did her Doctorate in History.

It was Rahi's idea to use SAMAY (Time) as the narrator for  the epic Mahabharata . He coined new words like Pitashri and Matashri that became so popular as if the ancient characters had actually spoken them.

He was a poet, playwright, novelist,film script and dialogue writer, a linguist who had command over Hindi, Urdu,Sanskrit and English.His TV Serial " Neem Ka peid" was also quite popular in entire length and breadth of the country. His book Aadha Gaon is his finest contribution to the corpus of Indian Literature.So are his other works like Topi Shukla, Ous ki boond and Katra Bi Aarzo.He also wrote Himmat Jaunpuri(1969) ,Dil Ek Saada Kagaz(1973) and Chhote Aadmi ki Badi kahaani (on the life and sacrifice of PVC Havalidar Abdul Hamid ). He also compiled a book of his Nonfiction writings under title"Lagtaa Hai Bekaar Gaye  Hum".

He wrote scripts and Dialogues for about 300 films. Dialogues for "Me tulsi teray aangan ki "and "Mili" won him prestigious Filmfare awards.

As a young boy ,he fell victim to Tuberculosis and had to spend about 6 years in Nainital and Kashmir.

Although, he never joined the Communist Party of India, he had all his sympathies for the left and underprivileged. He was a liberal and open-minded person. Due to attack of polio in childhood, he had a little limp.

KASHMIR  CONNECTION

Both brothers  ;  Dr Moonis Raza and  Dr Rahi Masoom  Raza  had strong links with Kashmir . Dr Moonis Raza was in Kashmir for more than a decade . He served as Principal Regional Engineering College, Srinagar  and also as VC Kashmir university . So many students and teachers  remember him well. Dr Rahi  Masoom  Raza was also in Kashmir when he contracted tuberculosis. He made so many friends from amongst the literary and Medical Fraternity . Dr Tahir Mirza from Chest Diseases Hospital was his closest Friend.  So many writers , leaders , artists , theatre artists from Kashmir became his close friends  . He kept coming to Kashmir repeatedly. In fact his wife Nayyar Jahan had also lived in Kashmir  for more than two years .

Noted English writer and Translator Prof. Arvind Gigoo told me this :

“He has come to our place a number of times. My uncle-cum-brother Dwarka Nath Gigoo Rajkamal, Kishori Kaul and Dr Rahi Masoom Raza were patients of tuberculosis. Rajkamal Gigoo and Rahi Masoom Raza spent many months together  in Tangamarg. sanatorium. Raza and Rajkamal Gigoo were of  same age. In Kashmir , he met all Hindi writers. Toshkhani, Pushp, etc. I mean father of Dr Shashi Shekhar Toshakhani. Dr Tahir Mirza was his closest friend in Kashmir. Dr Mirza of CD Hospital, Srinagar was an agnostic. He never charged fees from any patient. Treated all patients free. We used to meet often. He was married to one Sujata Mirza. She was a Shaivite. She had worked for BBC. I still remember her radio talk on 'Growing Old Gracefully 'written in Queen's English. She read it like an English lady. A remarkable conversationalist.”

Shri Basi Raina from Radio Kashmir  Informs :

“ In 1978 ,while on Rangmanch  Theatre tour to Bombay,i had the privilege of calling on Dr Masoom Raza with late Ali Mohd. Lone at his residence .Lone Sahib  knew him well and i wanted Rahi sahib's help for procuring adds for my souvenir. To my surprise he knew everyone connected with literature in Kashmir and enquired about M Y Teng...Kamal Ahmad Siddique ..Dr  Tahir Mirza of CD Hospital and others. He also gave me letter for Salim of Salim Javed team for help.He had a limp and was a fantastic conversationalist.”

Prof. Nusrat Andrabi  Ex. Principal Women ‘s college Srinagar informs :

“ I know the family very well. Nayar Jahan or Nayar  Apa was the grand daughter of Sir Aftab Ahmad of Aligarh. She was married to Col Yunus khan of Rampur, brother in law of  Nawab of Rampur. Col. Yunus Khan was posted  to Kashmir and he took up  his private family residence at   Magharmal  Bagh , near my parental house. I was a daily visitor to their house .  This is 1963-65. A great pleasant couple, very loving and cultured. Then after a few years they went to Aligarh.I was in touch  with them .  Later  Nayar Apa left Col. Saheb and married Rahi Masoom Raza. His poem 1857 was very popular those days.”

Well Known Journalist Rahul Jalali son  of  late  P N jalali ,( Journalist  and freedom fighter, told me this   :

“ Moonis Raza and my father were both interned in a  jail in Delhi before 1947. Later, they spent two years in eastern Europe together. My father met my mother in Europe and they married. When I was two years old my mother stayed for  six months in Raza household completing her MA in Library Science from Aligarh . During this period , I was looked after by Moonis and Rahi's sister. I also remember some of the "great escapades" of Rahi. During my growing up years, Rahi often used to visit Srinagar and stay with Jalali and Sumitra Behen  as the Raza brothers used to call my mother. Unfortunately , I lost touch with Rahi when he shifted to Mumbai (then Bombay). But   Moonis,  I kept in touch with till his last days. “

   I end this post with his poetic will ....

(Will And Testament)

My art is dead
My friends
My skin has turned blue,
My friends
Take me to the Ganga in Ghazipur,
Let me sleep in her lap.
But it could be that I die far from my homeland
So this is my will
If a little river flows in that foreign city ,
Take me there
Let me sleep in her lap
And tell her
That this son of Ganga is now Hers.

(Rahi Masoom Raza)

...So long so much

(Avtar Mota)

PS

Sources for this write up.

                       (1)

"Scene 75" ..by Dr Rahi Masoom Raza translated to English by Poonam Saxena. Poonam Saxena is the National weekend Editor of The Hindustan Times. She has also translated Dr Dharamvir Bharati's 1949 Novel" Gunahon Ka Devta" into English.

A Short , crisp and fascinating novel  and equally perfect translation  .Set in Bombay of 1970 , the novel contains stories of strugglers , sleazy producers and film-obsessed social climbers. Raza gives a kaleidoscopic view of film world and the hypocrisy as he rips off  many curtains. The central character of "Scene 75" is Ali Amjad,a struggling film script writer from Benaras surrounded by the distrustful and scheming characters, crooked producers, narrow-minded middle class social climbers and pushy clerks. You sympathize with Ali Amjad ( who is possibly Dr Rahi Masoom Raza himself) .

(2)

Book 'Rahi Masoom Raza ' by Kunwarpal Singh published by  Sahitya Academy in 2005.

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HIDE YOUR SORROW ELSE IT MAY ALSO BE STOLEN...

                                 

HIDE YOUR SORROW.. IT MAY  ALSO  BE STOLEN...

This is what Poet Ali sardar Jafri says in his mini poem "Gham ka Heera" or "The diamond of Sorrow"

Gham ka heera
Dil mein Rakho.
Kis ko Dikhaate Phirtay ho?
Ye Choron ki duniya hai....

(Ali sardar Jafri)

(Within your heart,
Hide that precious Diamond of sorrow,.
why put it on display?
You live in a world of thieves..)

(Autar Mota)


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LOYALTY OF BIRTH AND THE LOYALTY OF TOGETHERNESS

THE LOYALTY   OF  BIRTH AND THE  LOYALTY  OF TOGETHERNESS..

The popular Kashmiri Adage of yore.....

"Maej karaan kooer Kooer , Koor karaan Raen Raen..."

The mother Cries "My Darling Daughter, This Way my Child "

And the Daughter replies :
" My husband ,My Everything ,That side  Mother"

(Autar Mota)



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PANDIT KALAADI HUT JAMMU CITY

                                         

                                                                       

PANDIT KALAADI HUT , Moti Bazaar (Near Parade Ground) Jammu..


The shop opens at 6 PM in summers and a little earlier in winters. Pandit ji,'s young and active son has taken over the business at this shop from his father who died some years back . The business is brisk. The boy is polite and the stuff sold as Kalaadi (Maesh-kraaer in kashmiri ) fresh ,delicious served with chutney and sauce. Sprinkling a pinch of kala Namak over fresh hot kaladi makes it mouth watering. He stuffs the kaladi in a Bun , a combination that is finally known as kaladi kulcha sold for rupees 45 /=.Try it some day ,tastier than sardar ji shop of udhampur Bazaar .

I have been frequenting the shop since early eighties of the last century when senior Pandit ji would serve delicious Kalaadis fried on a heavy iron Tawa using kerosene stove. His son has not only improved the quality but added more customers to his business.

Yes i mean the small shop in Moti Bazaar that is close to Dr Shaktidhar Sharma's homeopathic clinic. Durring 1980s there used to be Tailoring shop just opposite to this Kalaadi hut known as GOONGA TAILORS. That shop had a huge sign board with a picture of a man in chains with a line "Teray Pyaar ki Meharbaani Pe Roye" written in bold letters below the picture.

(Autar Mota)

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THE FAMOUS CHOCOLATE SHOP OF JAMMU " JALLIYAN DI HATTI '

                                                                           

JALLIYAAN DI HATTI...Barbarra Bazaar or Jain Bazaar Jammu.


In Entire North India , No match for the Desi Ghee Chocolates that are sold at this shop. You can see them being prepared before you. Soft, delicious and tasty. Just 360 rupees a kg. You can also get suund panjeeri,Feeniyaa . Qatlame and the special Goondh Barfi all made from Desi Ghee  or Clarified Butter .This old shop in Jammu is known for its quality in the  entire state.


Qatlame ,Feeeniya and suund Panjeeri from this shop atttracts so many customers from neighbouring Punjab especially Amritsar.

The Quality and taste created by Des Raj Arora, who founded this shop remains intact to this day.

(Autar Mota)

 
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ZANGA TREI CUSTOM AMONG KASHMIRI PANDITS

                                     

   
   ( Kashmiri Pandit Women Striking  Shrine Bells for Peace and Prosperity..Photo source .. The Hindu Newspaper..)
                                     

        ( Sharika Temple Srinagar Kashmir)

 ZANG TREI  OR THIRD  AUSPICIOUS DAY  OF VIKRAMI ( BIKRAMI)  NEW  YEAR..

Close to Navreh  comes another  cultural  ritual   known as Zang-Trei  or third Auspicious day ; A ritual  of Shakti tradition of ancient kashmir. Centred around women considered as harbingers of peace and prosperity for a family , Zang Trei  festivity coincides  with  a visit to  shaktipeeth  Sharika Temple at  Hari Parbat Srinagar. A fair at DeviAngan  or  the spring time festivity at blooming  Badaam vaari garden nearby was another attracttion of NAVREH . The  busy water  chestnut ( Gaer or singharra) sellers, Halwai shops, water Baloon sellers ,  toy sellers and so many other attractions for children at Devi Angan, Badaamvaari or outside Chhatti Paadshashi Gurudwara. No more chills or snow or cold winds now. Flowers , greenery ,sunshine and pleasantness all-around.

 On Zang Trei or third day of Vikrami New year,  kashmiri Pandit women visit their Parental home  for sometime  . This is the  first auspicious visit of  the  year intended to  seek long life   and prosperity for parents and other family members  by the married woman. She is received with hugs, tears and love in her Parental home. After having  tea  and bread etc , She is given some cash (Attagath or conveyance money in kashmiri ), a packet of  Salt ( Considered Auspicious by kashmiri Pandits as  Salt is linked to Goddess Lakshmi ) and Bakery ( Tseot or kulcha) that she carries to her in law's house.All these small gifts are intended to seek prosperity and Long life for her husband, children and other members of the family in her in law's house. It is a day of  reunion and get together . Those amongst the  married Kashmiri pandit  women who are far off from their parents and consequently unable to visit their parental home , pay a visit some Temple or some family close by to be a part of this ancient tradition. They also return to their homes with Attagath  and a packet of salt.

WHY ON THIRD DAY   OR TREI  ?

To this Query, Pandit Raghunath Kokiloo (a Saint  and  practioner of  Shaivism)   has told me something  like this:

"Zang trei is linked to our  Shaiva Darshana. Three is auspicious and very important in Shaiva Darshana . What is a TRISHULA ? Understand it as three   fundamental dimensions of life . You  can also call it ida, Pingala and Sushumna. These are the three basic   nadis ; one to the left, second to  the right and third in the  centre of the pranamaya kosha  ( Energy body)  of the human system.

Three is AUM  depicted by three curves .And Bhur, Bhuva and Swaha or the  triple control over thought ,word and deed exercised by a shaivite .

Again , the Rhythm of the universe lies in the  trinity  symbolized  by  Brahma , Vishnu and Mahesha representing creation,  preservation  and destruction respectively.

 That  is why  so many shaivites all over the world put three lines of Ash over their forehead."

And stalwart Modern Kashmiri poet Dina Nath Naadim  also describes Zang Trei festivity in one of his poems..A poor mother alongwith her son  is on a visit to Zang Trei festivity in Badaam Vaari  Garden. The boy is tempted by so many toys while  the  poor mother is quick to  distracts his attention .

 I add  select  lines from the  to conclude this post..

Fraekvin Phulayaa , Lukka  Arsaatha
Taaran Peith Peith Katiji Jamaata .
Zangtrei Hunz Grukh
Taafa pholvun
Val Saa Maaleyah
Gobra Tathyah
Dabluss Ponsuss Soruy Duniya
Meiti Guchh Peen Pan( Whistle )
Tot Kya baa Chhukh
 Tresha Chamhuvv.

( Dina Nath Naadim )

Abundance of spring Flowers ,
Noise of sparrows on overhead electric wires ,.
A crowd celebrating Zangtrei festival,
Sun shine on all sides,
“Come dear child
Come son come dear
Entire world for a penny “
“ I too want to buy a whistle mother“
“Oh you look Febrile,
Let us quench our thirst first .”

(Autar Mota )

PS

Kashmiri Pandits celebrate NAVREH or  their New Year’s Day on the first day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra corresponding to  March –April of the Gregorian Calendar .     



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DALAI LAMA IN JAMMU

                           

Dalai Lama in Jammu..Addresses passouts and huge gathering at the first convocation of Central university Jammu held on 18th March, 2018.

He said:

" Constant Anger and fear affect our immune system.It is the duty if our educational system to  further and inculcate the basic character of compassion . "

" I have strong criticism against Modern teaching and Education System as such. It is only focussed on material values."

"This 21st century must be bid for the century of peace and dialogue not through prayers but actions by young people who need to play their role through determination and will power "

" Respect seven billion human beings on this planet.Difference of opinion was always there but using force to face this difference is  not justified. Once you resort to violence, there will be counter violence and the consequences could be unpredictable"

" Practitioners of Compassion not only make others happy, they also receive happiness in return."

It was a  great privilege to listen to this Guru of peace and compassion. His concern is   humanity at large . It appears that  he happens to be amongst a few of his kind  left  on this planet. He speaks, thinks and acts with compassion alone.

(Autar Mota)

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MY QUTRAIIN OR FOUR LINE POEM

                             

THE LONELY SHADOW
(Photo.. Autar Mota)



So many relatiions ,   links    , friends, networks, And  this vibrant world all around  , But then   the individual  ,Just lonely and set against  fundamental solitariness. Be carefree and  the life is a vehicle in motion , Think a little,Then  all this , A moment's play only.


Sometimes I feel like this . I gave it a poetic expression today ...


Rishte Naate  hain jag Jhamelaa hai
Aadmi Dhar-Asal Akelaa hai.
Mast rahiye to chalti   gaadi hai,
Soch Lo Jo , to pal ka khela hai.

(Autar Mota)



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THE SESAME SEED OR TEIL RITUAL OF KASHMIRI PANDITS

                                             

                      ( Moong Daal and Vopal Haak)

                                     

TEIL (sesame seeds) PREPARATION..

Teil  preparation and distribution was an important post delivery  ceremony in our families. It was prepared and distributed on 11th day of the delivery by inlaws family of a married woman. The child and mother were given a bath and sometimes it coincided with shraan  sondher ( purification bath) ceremony.  This was followed by a feast in the house and close relatives would be invited. One of the dishes prepared for the feast used to be Moong  daal and Vopal Haak.

White Sesame seeds were mixed with dry fruits , sugar candy pieces and a pinch of salt. This mixture was mildly fried and  then distributed to relations and neighbours. Some mixture was also  thrown around the bed or sitting place of the daughter in law who had delivered a baby. She would also be asked to have a little of this Teil. Sufficient quantity of Teil was also sent to parental home of the daughter in law for distribution by them.
 On 12th  day of delivery,, the daughter in law would go to her parental home for further post delivery rest and recuperation .
Sesame seeds are an excellent source of copper, a very good source of manganese, and a good source of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, molybdenum, vitamin B1, selenium and dietary fiber.

(Autar Mota)

PS

Vopal Haak.....Handh and vopal haak are two vegetables of  yore that find mention in Vaaks of Lak Ded. Vopal haak is green leafy vegetable that grows in wild on hills surrounding kashmir valley.saw it at Gulmarg. Vopal Haak leaves were  dried and then used as powder throughout the year. It is still sold by many Bohra shops in jammu at Rs1000 to 1200 per kg.

Generally about    40 gms of vopal haak powder is added  to 250gms of Sabut moong Daal . Finally, when cooked,  add two table spoons of Desi ghee or clarified Butter. Excellent to taste.
Vopal haak was  cooked on rituals like Shraan Sondher, Kaahnethar , Zara Kaasai , Mekhla, Hawan Ann Pravesh and many other rituals or ceremonies  in Kashmiri Pandit families.




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SOMETHING ABOUT POET HABIB JALIB

                         

BHAYE  KABIR UDHAAS
...

.......Habib Jalib..

Aik hamein āvaāra kahnaa  koyee  badaā ilzaām nahīn

Duniyaa  vaale dil vālon ko aur Bahut kuchh kahtay  hain......

( Habib Jalib )

Habib jalib ( 1928-1993 ) was a communist and a revolutionary poet..He was associated with progressive writers movement in the subcontinent . He was a Punjabi born and brought up in Hoshiarpur ( Punjab ) .Jalib had a  colloquial style to draw large audiences who related to his poems. He was repeatedly imprisoned  for leading demonstrations against establishment and rulers in his country opposing martial law  or  Gen. Zial Ul Haq's rule .

Once, in jail ,  he demanded pen and paper .    The Jail superintendent  told Jalib :

" This time  , I am under Instructions  from above that no  pen or paper should be provided to You for writing your poetry against the Government ."

To this jalib replied :

 " Tell Your Bosses that Jalib shall Recite his poems to  jail Guards  , who will recite it in the town square, and so it will reach  Lahore .”

“No poet since Wali Dakkani has been able to capture greater audience than Habib Jalib. He is truly the poet of the masses..”

[Faiz Ahmed Faiz]

Read these lines written by him....

Onchey Onchey Aiwaanon Mein Moorakh Hukm Chalaayein.
Qadam Qadam par iss nagri mein pandit Dhakkey Khaayein .
Dharti par Bhagwaan bane hain Dhan Hai Jin ke pass
............Bhaye kabir Udhaas .

Geet Likhaayein paise naa dein Film Nagar ke log.
Unn ke Ghar Baaje shehnai Lekhak ke Ghar soag.
Gayak sur Mein Kyon Kar Gaayein kyon Naa kaatein Ghaas
......     Bhaye kabir udhaas

Kal Tak Jo Tha Haal Hamaara Haal vahi Hai Aaj
Jalib Apnay Des Mein sukh ka kaal vahi hai aaaj
Phir bhi *Mochi Gate pe leader Roz karein Bakwaas
............Bhaye Kabir udhaas

( Autar Mota)

**** Mochi Gate in Lahore is a place where political Rallies were regularly held  .



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\.

SHUJA SULTAN :THE UNSUNG ARTIST FROM KASHMIR..

                                               

OIL PASTELS  ON PAPER 1981...SHUJA SULTAN FROM KASHMIR..

Shuja Sulta (1946-2008) was a  talented Artist  ,  Writer , poet , Broadcaster and above all a  wonderful  Human Being. He retired as Head Paintings Department of The e Institute of Music and Fine Arts of the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.

                                             

             ( Oil on Acrylic 1995..Shuja Sultan)

Shuja died  all of a sudden in    April 2008 of  a massive Heart attack. He was at  Jammu on that fateful day. He was   planning some Exhibition of his work.  He was painting  non stop for that proposed Exhibition.

No age to die  when he  had  just turned  63 ..

In 2013, Five years after his death, his family published his urdu poetic Collection "Khwaab-Zaar ( Garden of Dreams)..

I come  again and again to the innocence of the child that he has painted: Simply divine ..

Peace be to his soul...
( Autar Mota )



CHINAR SHADE by Autarmota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.
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FIRAQ GORAKHPURI ENRICHED AND INDIGENISED URDU LANGUAGE

                                                                               

WOH NIGAAH E NAAZ ZUBAAN ZUBAAN

WOH SUKOOT E NAAZ SUKHAN SUKHAN.

..

FIRQ GORAKHPURI...

I have been told by many friends not to read firaq again and again.I ask why; To which i get following replies..

" In practical life, He was not a man of good moral Conduct. He had a fondness for Liquor even during his old age. ."

"His poetry is sensuous. He only praises feminine beauty. "

" He was labelled as Spoiled genius of India by Gandhi ji ."

" He was short tempered, arrogant and uncompromising "

" He was a Nehru Bhakt."

I ask friends if they have read Firaq; And i am told in affirmative.. I ask if they have read his collections like Gul e Nagma, Naghma e Saaz or Ramz o Kaaynaat or Dharti ki karwat.I am told the expected ,"NO". I ask if they have read his poems like 'Shaam e Ayaadat' (The

EvenIng of Her Visit), Aadhi Raat ( Midnight) , Jugnu (fireflies) ,Handola ( Cradle) or Taraaana e Khizaan ( The song of the Autumn) . I get the expected reply "NO". Most of them have not read his Gazal and poems but heard Begum Akhtar singing some Firaq Gazals .

So you are dismissing a stalwart ( who has written on culture, civilization, loneliness, Nature, Love, hope, separation, and so many aspects of life ) without reading him .

I have no business to focus on Firaq's temper or private life . And discussing the same will not help me in objective evaluation of his work. In creative human beings, you always find varied levels of eccentricities. Do you look to their eccentricities or to the creative standards they establish in Art or Literature?

I shall continue to read and discuss Firaq as a poet of eminence

Firaq worked closely with Gandhi ji and Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru during freedom struggle . He went to prison many times during freedom struggle of the country. He did not join ICS that he qualified. Gandhi ji had asked him to join Gujarat Vidyapeeth as professor but he refused . Pandit ji, Indira ji and Harivansh Rai Bachan held him in highest esteem.

About firaq's poetry i have to make some basic observations .These are...

(1) His love poetry is based on a truthful  response  to primary emotion.

(2) Firaq has enriched and indigenized his urdu assimilating so many words from Hindi, sanskrit and Braj Baasha. Words like komal, kaaran, Deepshikha, Agnikund, vish, Ang, Pawan, Mukh, Kumadni, Kanwal, Banvaas, roop, Singaar, Dukh, Sansaar,Amrit, Suhaagan, and many more have been frequently used by him in poems, Gazals and Rubais.

(3) Rubais in urdu were used by poets as tools of ethical or theoretical suggestions.  Firaq uses them to present images of feminine Beauty and grace. These images have been created or captured in the homely roles of a  woman  who happens to be a  mother, daughter, sister or wife.

(4) Through his Gazals, He has fully explored the emotional, physical and spiritual dimensions of Love as the fundamental emotion of a human being. . While expressing the same in his poetry ,  he gives it  his personal hue and  makeup .

(5) Along with hope, wait, sensuousness and other issues, there is a stream of sorrow that flows through his work . I would call it a sorrow of spiritualised helplessness; And this very aspect brings him very close to Mir Taqi Mir .And Firaq duly acknowledges greatness of Mir when he says' Gazal ka saaz uthaao Barri udaas hai Raat, Navaa e Mir sunaao Barri udaas hai Raat'..

(6) Firaq's study of religious scriptures of Hinduism, Islam and Christianity is profound..If he uses references from Ramayana and Mahabharata, he also makes revered mention of incidents related with Karbala and life of Prophet of Islam. Incidents related with Jesus Christ and Moses have been mentioned at so many places.For him every prophet has visited this earth to ameliorate human pain and suffering. That spectacular quality makes him a true and genuine humanist. I tend to use word humanist instead of Secular .

(7) Firaq's mind was free from inhibitions . He allowed a passage to every thought. Many critics have called his mind a highway or a thoroughfare. Reflexes from such free minds are unpredictable and quite often unexpected.

(8) Firaq had a great fascination for English literature. Who else except firaq could translate Homer, Virgil, Wordsworth, Hardy and Wallace Stevens into beautiful Urdu ?

(9) While descrbing midnight's pillared silence and moonlight set against his individual sorrow , loneliness and wait in poem Aadhi Raat , Firaq takes many turns in between to touch issues of Humanity at large; I mean issues like war, poverty , revolution etc.

.jidhar nigaah karein ek Ataah khaamoshi,

zameen se ta mah o anjum sukoot ke meenar,

khadaa hai ouss mein chup chaap harsingaar ka Peid,

Yeh chaandni hai ke umdaa huva hai Rus saagar,

Gulon ne chaadar e Shabnam se munh Lapeit Liya,

Labon pe so gayi kaliyon ki muskaraahat bhi,

Jagaa Raha hai koyee Aadhi raat ka jadoo

Ek Aadmi hai ke itna dukhi hai duniya mein ?

. And the turns in between are ..

 (a)…Na muflisi ho to kitni haseen hai duniya,

 (b)..Ab inquilab mein shaayad ziyaada deir nahin,

 (c)..Sipaah e roos hain ab kitni door Berlin se ..

( Aadhi Raat was Written around second world war.Russian troops are about to enter Berlin to defeat Nazi Germany )

So long so much. Next time more observations on his poetry.

Me khizaan bhi huun me bahaar bhi

Meri zindagi hai woh zindagi,

Ke misaal e Barg e Gule chaman

Jo gaahe kafan gaahe Pairhan....

( Firaq)

I am the autumn,

I am the spring,

Such a erratic life i lead,

Like the petals of a rose flower,

Now   for the coffin,

 Now  for the for the headdress..

{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\.