Saturday, January 31, 2015

MY POEM "WINTER SNOW SCENE " AND A PHOTOGRAPH


                                                                         


Snow Fall Near Stockholm  (Sweden )
(Photo Shailesh Mota January 2015.)

Inspired by the Snow photographs of Shailesh Mota  ,I am adding another Mini snow poem ( In Kashmiri ) to this photograph . These poems are essentially based on my childhood memories of Snow in Kashmir. Stalwart kashmiri poet Dina Nath Naadim has also been an influence for this composition.
This is my 3rd poem in the series along with English rendering done for friends who do not understand kashmiri language. 

The poem is titled “( Shishar Sheenuk Akh Manzar ) or “ A Winter Snow Scene ” ……..



( Shishar Sheenuk Akh Manzar )

Si'rr Na Sadaa Pyaav Raa’tus sheena ,
Chhopp Dumm Loatt Loatt Thho’ssi Thho’ssi Vo’thh.
Vataa Gayii Gaaebb Ta Kyaah Kaanh Karrihay,
Yuss Yeittii Ouss su Tattiei-thii Roodh .
Hoonyaa Pyaamaetch Peinjji Tal Vaanus ,
Voaff Voaff Pyaan Pyaan Kammie tuss Booz .
Kaavun Vuchh , Voathh Taaruv Pyaath Bonn, 
Nazaraa Karnuss Kyaa karihay .
Pataa vuchh Hoona Peinjj Kunn doaraan ,
Sheen Tochhu’nn ,
Alla Gaaeb Khabar Chhaa ,
Talla Ma Neirii Adijj Bataah Meyaat Kaanh ,
Hai Hai Atti draav daba khontaa akh ,
Vuchh’na Kornus Kyaah Kari’hay
Su’tii tcholl Tammie Pataah laett Gilnavaan
Braara Phyangaan Kammi taam Buthhii Vutchh,
Mudayaa Gand’nuss , Paetch Paa’nus .
Yee Me Vuchhuyii ,Pataah Kyaah Guvv Vun’tum,
Mei ‘ti Nani’hay Kuss Kaemm Ko’dd Haajat …
( Autar Mota )


( A Winter Snow Scene )

During the night 
No sound was heard ,
Not a feeble noise either ,
The snow flakes rushed down 
and settled in silence .
When the pathways disappeared ,
What could be done ?
Everything remained stay put thereafter .
A Bitch delivered pups beneath the comfort of a shop’s front ,
The barks and shrieks underneath remained unattended in Snow .
Sitting atop electric wires , 
A crow flew down ,
Looked around but could do nothing .
A dog passed by the shop ,
Dug the settled snow nearby , 
But neither a piece of bone nor a Morsel of food 
Could be located underneath .
Alas ! A broken tin box was all that surfaced up .
Disinterested , Wagging its tail, 
The dog too moved away .
Mewing in annoyance,
A cat also jumped ,
Closed in , Looked uninterruptedly for sometime and then moved away.
I was privy to this much only ,
What happened later , Did you notice ?
let me also know it .
Tell me please ,
Who came to who’s rescue ?..
( Autar Mota )

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

TWO MINI SNOW POEMS WRITTEN BY ME FOR TWO SNOW PHOTOGRAPHS


                                                                            

(1)

SNOW FALL OUTSIDE STOCKHOLM ( SWEDEN )
( PHOTO ..Shailesh Mota January 2015)
I am adding four lines in kashmiri written by me ( Along with simple english rendering)  for this photograph ...

Hey Daaer mutcha'r Hey kuuth traa'vun,
Guss Vaetchh kuss ka’tti aav kot ‘taam guvv
Vaetchh sheenun vothhuruyii paan va’tan ,
" Akh rang chhu vujooduss " maa monuuthh
( Autar Mota )
Friend ! open these windows and come out of your room ,
Look Where from did some one start and where did he end up.
See how snow whiteness lies on pathways all over ,
Why Don't you agree that
"This existence has only one colour ? "…

(Autar Mota )


(2)


                                                        


APPLE TREES AND SNOW IN OUTSKIRTS OF STOCKHOLM ( SWEDEN )
Photo Shailesh Mota Jan.2015
Inspired by the Snow photograph, i am  adding my  Mini snow poem ( In Kashmiri ) to it . This  poem is   essentially based on my childhood memories of Snow in Kashmir.
Here is the poem  with English rendering done for friends who do not understand kashmiri language.
The poem is titled “Tschoonth Kuull Ta sheen “ or “Snow and the Apple Tree” ……..
 (Tschoonth Kuull Ta sheen )

Tchoonthei Kuleiss Laenjji Vatchhaa Pathhariss pyaath,
Shaanun Pyath Hyaathh Sheenuk Bhaar .
Sheenus Tal Moolav Kaerr Kraka-Krukh ,
“ Aessi Mata karietuvv vaeinni Mismaar.
Laeinjji Gayii Maaleuinn Tcharrie Haarreinn Hundh,
Aessi Soantuss Chhaavun Sabzaar. “
Ammie Pataa Booz Siri Bhagvaanun
Taemmi Mushkilli Munz kodd Laachaar …
( Autar Mota )

( Snow And The Apple Tree)
Carrying the snow load on their shoulders ,
The branches of the apple Tree
stooped low to touch the earth below.
Buried under snow,
The tree roots spoke their agony
“ Don’t dismember the tree like this ,
These branches ,
The parental home to Mynahs and sparrows ,
Hang around in wait to usher spring’s Greenery .”
Thereafter , the distress call reached the sun god
And the tree was set free from this agony .
( Autar Mota )

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MY MINI POEM FOR A SELF PHOTOGRAPH


                                                                    


AUTAR MOTA
JANUARY . 2014 ... JAISALMER RAJASTHAN..
I remember i wrote four lines in kashmiri for this photograph... i add the lines with my english rendering  ..


Yuthh Buuthh Chhalnuss He kyaa chhu sharaf ,
Yinaa Broant Ga'tchhie Pataa Gueill Moorakh..
Vattie Paknuss Thoavv Baazaeir Royaa,
Dil Dubraayan Duniyaa Chhu Alagh...
( Autar Mota )

Nothing desired by this dressed up appearance ,
Friend ! Don’t get misled and be remorseful later .
A look put up for traveling around this worldly Bazaar ,
While the heart beats for a world altogether different…


( Autar Mota )

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Thursday, January 22, 2015

HABIB PAINTER , HIS QAWAALIS AND KASHMIR


                                                                                    





HABIB PAINTER QAWAAL ( 1915-1987 )


Habib Painter( 1915-1987 ) was a painter  ,  poet and a well known Qawaali singer of India .  Widely loved and admired  for  his style,  he could sing  Qawaali and  Sri Krishna Leela with equal perfection. 

   He became a favourite of Pandit  Jawahar Lal Nehru and Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad .  Admired by doyens of Indian cinema like  Dilip Kumar ,Manoj Kumar , Raj Kapoor, late Nargis Dutt and actress Mumtaz ,  he was equally loved by writers and artists  that included  Khushwant Singh, Ram Kumar , and M F Hussain.

 Habib Painter’s  compositions  presented a  flavor of   Humanism and his compositions centered around the core values and percepts of Sufi ideology.  If he did not sing Kabir Vani directly  ,he would intersperse his compositions with   dohaas of kabir .

Habib’s singing  represented  a culture of the subcontinent that had evolved itself for ages at the shrines  and  Dargaahs of saints  and Sufis visited by Hindus and Muslims .He was equally at ease singing about the Kaaba and the Shivala or  about Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and Sri  Krishna. A vintage classic of his is the qawwali “Bahaut Kathin hai dagar Panghat ki”.
   Habib was a widely traveled man and a frequent visitor to Kashmir.  And  just before his death ,  actress Mumtaz   singlehandedly  sponsored his  troupe’s tour to East Africa where his style and  genre   received rave reviews in newspapers   .

Credit goes to late Rais Mirza and his wife Taramani (  Head of Khadi Gram Udhoyg Bhawan ) for bringing a poor billboard  painter cum nondescript   singer  from Aligarh to elite cultural circle of the country and introducing  him as a Qawaal . 

 Habib Painter had an attractive nasal  twang in his voice.He  could also play many instruments notably harmonium. 

Bakshi Ghulam  Mohammad  remained an ardent admirer  of Habib Painter  till his last day  . I quote some Qawaalis sung by  Habib  Painter that became quite popular in Kashmir:-

(1) Karray Koyee Bharray Koyee 
(2) Bahut Kathin hai Dagar Panghat ki
(3) Yahaan se chala Gayaa Kotwal
(4)  Bhagwaan Issi Mein Miltein hain
(5) Nas Nas Bolay Nabi Nabi
(6) Hum Kaise Guzaara Kartein hain
(7) Baap Ki Naseehat Beti ko 
(8) Bhalaa kis ko Maanoon Buraa Kis ko Maanoon
(9)  Tumhay Koochaa e  ishq ke Dastoor Nahin Maaloom
(10)  Magar Mein  keh Nahin kehtaa
(11)  Dekh Tamaasha Lakarri ka 
(12) Kaahe ko byaahi Bides 

  In 1962, Habib Painter  visited  border areas  and sang to cheer up Indian army during Chinese invasion. Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru  would call him ' Bul Bul e Hind'  . He would be occasionally invited to Teen Murti House  to sing for select guests  with Pandit ji staying till the last song / Qawaali .

His  style and  compositions   became  popular in the entire subcontinent  during his life time.  He sang for about  50 years, and  his  accompanists  remained loyal to him. None moved away from him though most of them received invitation  from cinema world. His longtime trusted companion and co singer  Rafiq Ali  was also a  great singer and musician  . Habib Painter loved Banarasi Paans.

Whenever he was in Delhi ,He would invariably visit Dargah of Hazrat Nizam Ud Din Aulia .He called  himself to be a disciple of Hazrat Nizam Ud Din and Amir Khusro.
In Kashmir,   many elders have fond memories of the person and his qawaali Mehfils .

Habib Painter breathed his last  on Feb 22, 1987 , and lies  buried  at his birth place,  Aligarh. His son,  Anees painter  is also a well known Qawaal who carried forward his father's art and legacy.Anees too has a nasal twang  like his father. I enjoy Anees  singing 'Hum Kaise guzara karte Hain ' .  

I end this mini post with   a Dohaa of kabir ….

Kabiraa Jantra na baajiye toot gaye sab taar
Jantra bichaara kyaa karay chalaa bajaavan haar

( O kabbir ! should  the stings be  cut, 
How can this instrument resonate with music ?
What music can  the poor instrument play , 
should the player move away from it ?)


( Avtar Mota  )

PS 

Prof.Jaya Parimu from Srinagar  informs  me  :-

“ Habib painter will be a page on history of Qawaali genre of music. He was gifted with a voice having perfect tonal quality which matched with the Qawwali style of singing.His modulated lilt with a clear vocal quality would enchant the audience of Qawaali listeners. Peace to these legendary musicians who soulfully entertained listeners for decades. “

Sh. Anwar Aftab Bakshi from Srinagar informs:-

“ The beauty of Habib Sahib was that he would attend a lot of competitions of Qawaalis , which was the norm of that era. He was one of the fastest verbal composer for replying his opponent while singing a Qawaali during a competition. He used to be my father Late Bakshi Abdul Majid Sahib’s (Peace be upon him) favourite too. As a child I remember playing with his harmonium and then he would carry me in his lap around the area where his programme would be. I would wonder why his mouth would always be red, till I later on realized he was very fond of betel or Paan .”

Prof Nighat Hafiz adds :-

“Habib painter had a unique style... Sharp sweet voice that could easily pierce a heart to make its way... I liked him for his clarity of word and expression... His words were never difficult to grasp or understand.”


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Monday, January 19, 2015

"LAL DED REVISITED " A NEW BOOK ON 'MEDIEVAL SAINT POETESS FROM KASHMIR .


                                                                            




"LAL DED REVISITED"
By JAWAHAR LAL BHAT
Published by vision Creative Services ,,
New Delhi ( Tel..0129-4175082 )

Price Rs595/=( Hardbound 560 Pages )
Book Released by GULSHAN CULTURAL FRONT (kashmir) on 15.01.2015 .

                                                                       


TEXT OF THE PAPER THAT WAS READ BY UNDERSIGNED AT THIS BOOK RELEASE FUNCTION ...

"Distinguished Guests on Dais , intellectuals , writers , poets and friends . Lal Ded has again been revisited . Revisited otherwise by many thinkers from across the globe uptil now. Revisited not only through Books or write-ups but also through other modes of visual and performing Art .
 I saw Rama Vaidyanathan , Noted Bhartanatyam dancer mesmerizing her Audience with ecstatic dance on Lal Vaakhs . I saw many painters paint her message and many singers begin their melody ( Sufiana Qalaam or Leela ) with her vaakhs ( Four line poetic compositions meaning Vaakyaas in Sanskrit ) only. A knowledge , a message and a thought so profound that it survives even when not put in any manuscript initially . Preserved by kashmiris Just by a word of mouth . 


Bhaskar Razdan is reported to be the first person who collected 60 Vaakhs of lal Ded . Thereafter Pt Lakshman Koul is reported to have collected 47 more and made the number rise to 107.Seeking help from Pandit Mukand Ram Shastri , George Grierson set to add more and so progressed the task of documenting the verses in proper text and translating them for readers all over the globe. The number of Vaakhs so collected kept on increasing . This quantitative increase also brought some dilution in core message of this saint poetess as some Vaakhs which do not belong to her but got unintentionally added by word of mouth and are now being attributed to her .
I personally tend to go with the opinion of Late Shri Moti lal Saqi that many Vaakhs which patently do not belong to Lal Ded are being attributed to her . My observation is also based on a careful study of her Core Message ,the spoken language of her time period and many other Vital factors . .May be , at some point of time some authentic Manuscript emerges that sheds more light on the subject. Nonetheless ,a serious student of her thought does not fail in identifying and separating the real from the  chaff from  the grain.


Today , I shall not talk about Rajanka Bhaskara , Barnett and Grierson , Richard Temple , Nila Cram Cook , Prof jay lal kaul ,Prof Parimu ,PNK Bamzai ,P N Bazaz ,Shashi Shekhar Toshkhani and Ranjit Hoskote for their invaluable contribution in presenting this Great Shaiva and Mystic poetess . Let me talk about a new addition to this distinguished list . Today, Let me talk about My learned friend Shri Jawahar lal Bhat’s Book LAL DED REVISITED .
  
                                                                              
                                                  ( Autar Mota with the Author )
Sh jawahar Lal Bhat has been a valued friend and a guide . He is devoted , focused and laborious . I understand that more than a decade’s hard work has seen the light of the day in the shape of this book. His main aim has been to ensure that the book remains as simple as possible so that a vast section of kashmiris across various age groups could easily understand the core message of Lal Ded .

The author informed me as under .. 


“ I have deliberately avoided the heavy poetic flavor and tone to my translation as enough of that sort is already available .My aim has been to focus on the core message of each Vaakh making it as simple as it could be . The book has been made as simple as it could be for a mass readership without any compromise on the core message . Readers can clear all doubts after going through the original vaakh , the English rendering and detailed commentary . “
At the outset , I am tempted to say that the very front cover of the book with its misty green appearance adorned with Pink and white lotus flowers is nothing but a welcome reception to the reader into the world of spirituality that lies within the pages . This lotus flower is endowed with a spirituality of highest order . While the white lotus represents profound enlightenment ,the pink on the other hand represents a Great soul that has attained NIRVANA. This lotus flower that has many shades of cross cultural significance and philosophical contours had also a noteworthy role in ancient Greek , Egyptians, Mesopotamian ,Babylonian , Sumerian and Chinese mythologies apart from being pivotal to Buddhism.
Coming to Format of the book , it is well thought out and planned . 560 pages , 7 pages for details of the contents , Roughly 20 pages for Exhaustive preface and background without which it would not have been possible for the reader to understand the Vaakhs in proper spiritual , Philosophical , Cultural and Historical perspective .Thereafter about 250 pages for the VAAKHs that appear in Roman , Nastaliq and Devnagri scripts simultaneously on the same page with crisp and to the point English translation . This is followed by about 260 pages wherein Detailed notes and commentary on each Vaakh is given . This detailed exercise is a brilliant job undertaken that makes each Vaakh adequately clear to the reader . In all 244 Vakhs have been incorporated . I believe the highest number that appear in any book on this saint poetess published so far. An extensive labour of love and devotion. A extensive research work with clarity that makes these Vaakhs comprehensible to the reader . I am sure that this book shall be a prized possession in every kashmiri household . An enormous job undertaken for which coming generation shall fell indebted to the author . I am inclined to hold to this belief . 


Lal Ded has indelible impact on kashmiri psyche . It has remained unabated inspite of a time lapse of about seven hundred years .This could possibly be due to the poet inside her envisioning mysticism and the saint within her writing verses . She remains a spiritual Giant and a poetic gem of kashmir. Her poetic presentation of the universal message of kashmir’s Shaiva Darshan and Dynamic Humanism remains beyond compare . And through her verses , she is responsible for shaping contours of kashmiri language and literature so as to grant it a worldwide recognition. 


The torch bearer of kashmir’s Reshi order and another Giant saint and Mystic poet Sheikh Noor Ud Din ( 1375-1438 ) or Sheikh ul Alam or Alamdaar e Kashmir also fondly known as Nund Ryosh , who followed close on the heels of lal Ded acknowledges lala’s presence and greatness . Sheikh ul Alam adds..
Tuss Padmaan Porichay lalle 
Yemi Gali amrit Pivo
Swo saanien Avtaar lwale
Tuithhuyii me Var Dittum Divo


( Homage to Lal Ded of Pampore 
Who drank her fill of Nectar 
That yogini eas Avtaar Indeed 
Grant me the same boon o God !)


The enormous Humanism of her Vaakhs is dynamic force that has withstood the test of the time and transcended all man made barriers . These VAAKHS are Like the fresh Fragrant air that can be universally experienced . Like the rays of sun that warm up every particle on this planet . like the Midsummer shower that gives relief to every creature from the scorching heat.

LAL DED AND SOME COMMON BELIEFS 
Many legends are woven around lal Ded’s personality and most of them are not supported by any historical , documentary or authentic evidence .
Let me take up one common belief that she moved Naked . Philosophically what is clothing ? It is the clothing of the mind . The five Veils as mentioned by Abhinavgupta in kashmir’s Shaiva Darshana provide the answer. Once these veils are removed , the reality lies naked . Naked in its originality . Does a great thought need any clothing ? Does the soul need any clothing? Once these worldly apparels are removed , every individual turns out to be a profoundly peaceful soul . 
In fact Her moving naked that is attributed to her one Vaakh ( Vaakya )
“ Gworan Vonnumm Kunuyee Vatchunn…….. “ 
or

“The Guru gave me just one word ,
Asking me to move within from the outer world ,
That alone became my song , 
unclothing myself , 
I Lala , moved naked in this Samsaara. “

The common interpretation derived of this Vaakh ( Vaakya ) appears to be Gross over simplification of the Vaakh itself. This “Neiburr Andhur Atchunn or moving within from outer world is also philosophical thought representing movement from Saguna ( Form ) to Nirguna( Formless ) worship of solitary supreme reality .


VEDIC DOCTRINE OF NETI NETI IN LAL VAAKHS

Now let us examine Some Vaakhs of Lal Ded in terms of the NETI NETI concept of Vedanta . I quote some lines from her Vaakh to support my argument ..
1
Adha lal Ba Vaatcheuss Prakash Dhaaam
“Then I lala Arrived at the illuminated abode “
2
Adha lala Me Praavim Param Gathh 
( Then I lala Attained the Absolute state )
3
Adha kammie Hilli phoall Lali Pamposh 
( Thence from some marsh this Lotus Blossomed within Lala )
4
Vuchhum Ta Deuthum Shili Kannie Vuthh
( Then I realized it was just a mass of stone before me )
5
Ba Kossa lala ded ta me kyaah Naav 
( Who am I lala ? what name do I propose for myself? )

There is every reason to believe that Lal Ded is the foremost practitioner of the Appraisal of Reality by application the Vedantic Doctrine of Neti Neti . For this , one needs to understand what is not Truth or Brahman . Not this Not this or beyond this and beyond this . A continuous rejection to arrive at pure reality . This is the Vedic method of analysis of Negation. Transcending all worldly experiences ,Nothing except the self so as to attain union with the absolute . It also annihilates our sense of self and the ego obviously has no place . This self inquiry and self investigation empowers a person to rediscover the real self and return to pristine awareness . Even Adi Sankara advocated the vedantic Neti Neti approach . 

Neti Neti comes very close to the “ Via Negativa “ concept in “ Apophatic Theology “ that arrived from ancient Greeks to western philosophy .


SHUNYA AND THE CONCEPT OF NOTHINGNESS IN LAL VAAKHS 


I treat Lal Ded as the first progressive poet of kashmiri language. More than that , she also happens to be the originator of concept of SHUNYA or NOTHINGNESS in kashmiri poetry . 
After a careful scrutiny of some VAAKHS of LAL DED , one is led to believe that for Lal Ded , a slippage to Nothingness is a Union with SUPREME SHIVA that resides in every particle of this universe . She also believes that this limitless and transcendent Shiva is the destroyer of darkness leading to emergence of light . For Lal Ded , Shiva is not only the destroyer from the Trinity of Brahma ( Creator ) Vishnu ( Preserver ) and Mahesha ( destroyer ) but the essential supreme ruler of SHUNYA or NOTHINGNESS .
Apart from Kashmir Shaiva thought , NOTHINGNESS as expressed by LAL DED is also of RIG VEDIC Origin. To some extent , NOTHINGNESS in her VAAKHS ( VAAKYAS ) is influenced by VEDIC HYMNS of NASADIYA SUKTA. The primordial ocean mentioned in RIG VEDA is synonymous with the concept of NOTHINGNESS. And the concept of SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING (Kenh’nuss Nishe Kyah’taam Draav) is again a pure RIG VEDIC thought . I quote a Hymn from RIG VEDA in support of this argument…
(1)
“Then there was neither death nor immortality
nor was there then the torch of night and day.
The One breathed windlessly and self-sustaining.
There was that One then, and there was no other.”

I also Quote three Vaakhs of Lal Ded (with my simple English rendering) ,
Shuniiyukk Mae’daan Kodumm Paanus 
Mey Lallie Roozum Boadh Na Hosh 
Wai’Zey Sap’nuss Paanie Paanus 
Adhaaa Kammie Hilli Phoall Lalli Pamposh ..
( Lal Ded )
( Alone I Traversed this vast ground of Nothingness ,
Intellect and consciousness too withdrew from me .
Then alone I turned familiar to my own inner self ,
And Here I appear like a Lotus flower blooming in swamp . )
2
Kenhi’nus Pyaath Kyaah Chhuyii Na’tchun,
Mwatchii Kenh Na Ta Natchun Traav ..
Poat Pheerithh Chuyee Totuyii Atchun
Yohaii Vatchunn Tcheituss Thhaav 
( Lal Ded )
( Why Dance over this nothingness ?
Abandon this ballet for you too shall contract to Nothingness .
And On return , you shall have to go back to nothingness ,
So Bear this thought alone in your mind . )
3
Goruss Pratchhom Saasi La’teiy
Yuss na Kenh Vanaan Tuss Kyaa Naav.
Pratchhaan Pratchhaan Tha’cheiss Ta loosuss
Kenh’nuss Nishe Kyah’taam Draav
( Lal Ded )
“To my Master , I asked a thousand times ,
By what name should we call the nameless one .
Drained I became from seeking this knowledge ,
And lo ! Something emerged from Nothingness only.”

One is amazed to note that After Lal Ded, This NOTHINGNESS has also been profoundly enunciated by poets of Sufi genre most notably by Shamas Faqir , Rehman Dar , Shah Gafoor ,Nyaam Sahib, Waza Mehmood ,Sochha Kraal , Ahmed Batawaari , Samad Mir , Ahad Zargar ,Wahab Khaar and many more in their compositions . 
Apart from Islamic Tassavuf , Almost all these poets appear to be familiar with the NETI NETI concept of VEDANTA. These poets keep negating descriptions about the ultimate reality but not the reality itself. And to embark on this , they also speak about the need to transcend worldly experiences rejecting everything ( Not this , Not this ) and arrive at the vast ocean of Nothingness to draw something ( Kenh Nassa Nishe Kyaahtaam Draav ) . I quote some SUFI poets (with my English rendering )..
1
Shunyaa Gatsithee Ooss Myon Oluy
Aemm Ashkaa Naaran Zoluye
Kuniruss Trovnumm Rwoni Manzoluy
Shroin Shroin Bozaan Aas
( Shamas faqir )

( Traversing NOTHINGNESS , my abode turned visible ,
And the intensity of love set this too on fire.
With a Chiming Cradle swung across my loneliness ,
I reached that final spot listening to musical chimes all around ) 

2
Kenh Nai Ouss Ta Kyaahtaam ouss 
Kenhuss Maaney Chhuyii Kentssaa
Kenhusss Maaney Zaanaan Goss
Paanaai Oussus Ba Bahaannai 
( Sochh Kraal )

( If Nothing was perceptible , 
For sure , something lay thereat.
I just moved ahead interpreting this Nothingness 
And I became the cause to exist .)

Dapyomuss Addah kattien chhuyee Tche Maqaam 
Tammie Dopnumm Naai Chhu Subah Naai Chhu Tattie Shaam .
( Sochh Kraal )

( I put him a question ,
“ Where is your abode ? ”
And he replied ,
“ A place where You experience neither Mornings nor evenings “

Even on an Agnostic platform , Once an Individual realizes that the final truth or reality is a merger with the vast SHUNYA or EMPTINESS or NOTHINGNESS , he carries a different outlook on qualms of mundane existence . This enlightenment also enables him to rise above the painful concerns of routine life . And accordingly , this concept of Nothingness comes up with a positive transformative power.



  " DEATH  CONSCIOUSNESS  " IN LAL VAAKHS 



We are made to believe that “ Man is the only animal who conscious of his death ”

Is it so ? Is not the animal conscious of its death? Have we ever seen how a Dog or a cat tries to save itself from a speeding car or a vehicle ? May be this consciousness is triggered at that very moment . May be this consciousness visits instantly whereby they also desperately try to avoid seeing the end. 
The above belief is a result of viewing issues of human existence in isolation to other segments of life in this universe . Can we deal a part without connecting it to the whole ?
Inspite of this built in consciousness , Man usually does not believe in his own demise . For him it is something that visits “ OTHERS ”.Some tend to believe that DEATH has passed them by and the fleeting existence is mistaken for a permanent earth residency .
I come to purpose of this thought and say something on “ Death consciousness “as it appears in Lal Ded’s poetry . 
In so many vaakhs , directly or indirectly, Lal Ded advocates a serious consciousness of Death as paramount and fundamental to Righteous conduct . A consciousness that is not to be confused with a fear of death. Never has she made this consciousness appear as Alarm , Dread or Panic.

Lal Ded Believes that man needs to be perpetually conscious of this reality and this consciousness could be of immense help in shaping his / her upright conduct . For her , Death consciousness is a reformative force and a fundamental strength within . 
I quote two popular Vaakhs ( with my simple English rendering ) on this subject .
(1)
“ Raaz Hans Aasith Sappadukh Koluyii
Kuss Taam Tcholuyii Kyaahtaam Hyaathh
Grataa Guvv bandh Ta Grattun Hyot Goluyii 
Grataa Voall Tcholuyii Phull Phoall Hyathh “
( lal Ded )

( Weren’t you a chirping Royal swan ?
Who stole something within you ? 
Why you turned dumb suddenly ?
Stifled, the grinding Mill within you, came to halt ,
And the Mill owner carried away the grains .)
(2) 
Lalithh Lalithh vadaai Boh Vaai
Tchietaa Muhutch Peyii Maai
Rozii Na Pataa Loh Langareitch Tchhaai 
Niz Swroof Kyaah Mothuaai Haai
( Lal Ded )

Non stop  , I shall sob  for you ,
O Mind , How you fell to this worldly greed.
Not even the shadow of this shall hang around at the end .
O Mind ! Why you ignored the real self within ?



LAL DED AS TORCH BEARER OF MEDIEVAL MYSTICISM OR BHAKTI MOVEMENT 



Though deeply rooted in kashmir’s Trika Shaivite creed , Lal Ded had risen much above the world of creeds or labels. One can safely call her as a torch light of Medieval Mysticism and Bhakti Movement of the country . Ramanand ( 1400-1470 ) Kabir (1440-1518 )Guru Nanak ( 1489-1538 )and Sant Tukaram ( 1577-1650 ) followed her . Like Kabir , she also makes symbolic use of Swan ( Raaazhans ), Grinding Mill ( Gratta ), washerman ( Dhoobb) , Weaver ( Wovur ) , Lotus Flower ( Pamposh ) to put forth her spiritual thought . Her frequent use of Prakaash Dhaam or Prakash Sthaan is synonymous with kabir’s Anahad Naad or “ Baaje Anhad dol “ or the musical chimes that are created when one arrives at the real self transcending all worldly experiences .
Coming to the book again , I find The learned author has tried to be simple , lucid and to the point in his English translation or English rendering of each Vaakh . Pure Poetic translation was either intended nor beneficial in any way since such things are already available . The imperative need to simplify her thought in English and free it from weighty poetic diction has been superbly fulfilled by this book . From class readership it has now arrived for a mass readership. No unnecessary metaphors , symbols and idioms have been brought in anywhere in his English rendering . The core message of each Vaakh is now available in a simple but profound spiritual Elixir with to the point Joyous English rendering .This quality may create a mass reader base and may attract younger generation who have some issues with strict poetic translation of these VAAKHS. . 
For this work , posterity is bound to feel indebted to the author. I quote the English rendering of some vaakhs from the Book 
(1)
Shuniiyukk Mae’daan Kodumm Paanus 
Mey Lallie Roozum Boadh Na Hosh 
Wai’Zey Sap’nuss Paanie Paanus 
Adhaaa Kammie Hilli Phoall Lalli Pamposh ..
( Lal Ded)

(I crossed alone the wide fields of shunya ,
The sights and scenes dropped my reason and senses ,
Soon was I awakened to the mysteries of my inner self .
This , I Lalla with a humble background , 
Flowered like a lotus from the a marsh .)
2

Shiva keshv va Zin va
Kamalaz Naath  Naam Daarien Yuh
Mey Abhlii KaaeisteinBhav Roz
Suva Suva Su Va Suh

(You may call him Shiva , Keshva or Budha or even lotus Born Narayana ,
Makes no difference .
Whoever it may be ,
I wish this poor woman released from the sickness of life ,
Weak and helpless she is ,
Unable to meet its truest purpose !”)

(3)
Aayuss Vattey Gayuss no Vattey
Seimunz Sothhe Loosam Doah
Vuchhum Chanduss ta Haar Na Attey 
Athh Naavie taarus Dimaa Kyaah Boah…

( The road I came by is not the same I took to return,
On the middle of the embankment , the day waned and it was dark.
I looked for a penny in my pocket 
To pay for the ferryman but found none.
Alas ! What shall I pay for the ferry )
4
Gagan Tcheiyii Bhootal Tcheiyii,
Tcheiyii chhukh Dhyen Pavan taai Raathh,
Arag , Tchandun , Posh Poen Tcheiyii,
Tcheiyii Chhukh Soruyii Ta Laegizey Kyaah

( You are the Heavens and the underworld ,
The night as well as the day !
You are the existing flowers , Water , Sandalwood and the grains of rice ,
You , who is everything ,
What else can I offer you in worship. )
5 
Deev Vatta Deevur Vatta 
Pyaatha Bonna chhuyee yikvaath ,
Pooz kuthh karakh huutt Bataa,
Kar Manuss Ta Pavanuss sanghaath

( The God before you is a stone ;
The temple, head to foot is all stone .
Whom will you worship O stubborn Brahmin ?
Awaken to the reality !
Follow my counsel and exercise control on your mind 
By uniting it with your life breath )
6 
Atchhein Aaiyy Ta Gatchhun Gatchhey
Pakun Gatchhey Dhyen kyo Raathh
Yoraai Aaiyy Ta Toorii Gatchhun Gatchhey
Kenh Na Ta kenh Na Ta kenh Na Ta kyaah

( We have been coming and going for ever ,
We Are on the move day and night ,
Repeating returns unendingly !
We come from somewhere and return somewhere .
There ‘s surely something mysterious that we need to know.
All this can not be total nonsensical.)

7
Kandheiv karakh kandhe Kandhe 
Kandheiv karakh kandhe Veylaas 
Bhoogaai Meethii Deitithh Yuthh Kandhe 
Athh Kandhe Rozii na soor na saas

( What this fuss of fulfilling the demands of this body ,
Ornamenting it ,providing numerous luxuries and sweetmeats for it ,
Not a secret but a well known fact ,
Not even its ashes would survive )

I can quote so many Vaakhs that have been done to crystal clear rendering by my learned friend and the book is definitely going to live long and prove useful to kashmiris in general admirers of lal Ded’s philosophy in particular. Hardbound, moderately prices at Rs595/= published by Vision creative services New Delhi (0129-4175082) , it is surely going to attract too many encouraging reviews . 
Those of us who read Lal Ded in proper perspective and context , I am sure may find a real Master in her . A Spiritual Guru who guides by her Vaakhs alone . And for that purpose alone ,I recommend this Great work LAL DED REVISI
TED .
I conclude this write up / paper on this book with a shrukh ( Shloka ) of Sheikh Noor ud Din or Nund Ryosh that goes as under (English translation by Prof.J LKaul) ..

Aarbalan Naagraada rovukh
Saada rovukh Tchooran munz
Moodagaran gwor pandita rovukh 
Raaz Hans Rovukh Kaawaun Munz

(Amid the rocks , the found was lost ,
Among the thieves was lost the saint ,
Among the ignorant , the wise teacher was lost 
And the royal swan was lost among the crows )


( Avtar Mota 15.01.2015 )

 PS

ADDED ON  09.02.2015

The review of the book published in Daily Excelsior ( Leading  English News Paper  Published from Jammu ) on 08.02.2015..