MY KASHMIRI POEM “ JANUARY 19,1990 Part II"

                                                                                     

VICTIMS OF GUNFIRE FROM ACROSS THE BORDER   LEAVING  THE LAND OF THEIR  BIRTH ..

 A SCLUPTURE OF  WELL KNOWN   ARTIST  RAVINDER JAMWAL  DEPICTING   PLIGHT AND SUFFERING OF BORDER MIGRANTS  OF JAMMU.

 To this sclupture , I add my kashmikri poem(“ Barmandhinien Gayee *Maagitch Maavuss “)This poem “ Barmandhinien Gayee Maagitch Maavuss “  or  “ The Noon Time Turned to a cold and Dark Night of Maagha “is dedicated to the victims of Terrorism in the world. The poem has been written specifically with reference to conditions of Kashmir valley during 1990 when armed militancy erupted over there   resulting in  wanton Deaths   along with   wide spread destruction of property and infrastructure    . Clouds of Gloom and darkness covered the skies during this period putting all kashmiris to grave miseries and sufferings . It also tore apart the fabric of peaceful coexistence ,  shared past and   composite culture   . Kashmiri Pandits were left with  no option but to run for safety and save their lives and live as exiles  in plains of the country.

Part II

(“ January 19,1990 Part -II")

Da'zaavienni Gaejji deut paan Duull Daarithh

Yelli Kraekh Gayii " He Naar Haa Naar "

Pataa Pataa Paetch Marghat Zchhaaya Aessi

Puthh Vuchhahuvv Tuthh Maa maa Oss Vaar

Daeh Tchheitaa beyi Kaaviejj Assuna Ouss

Dazvvun Ouss  Shamshaanun Naar

Shraana Garrien Hundh Ouss  Yuunn Gatchhunna

Tobudhan Hundh  Ou'ss  Bazaar ..

Neithhanon Thosukh Kadala  Taethiss  Pyaeth  ,

*Budshaah Raa'za  su Paalanhaar.

*Dhaan Kutchhii Mutchie Munz Shroopp Ghar Deevta

Gueill Mooraan , Dumm Phaeitt Laatchaar ..

Astaaneitch   Dashie Vuchhie  Naalienn Munz

Tchhot'aa Deiruss Pyath Aeiss  Dastaar..

Buddie Kuthei Vuchh Tchirniev Kienn Tammie Do'hh

Aangan Patchie Barinein Hundh Naar ..

*Thokur Ku’thee Gayii Kraekh " Kuss Traavithh  "

*Kaawa Patchienn Pyaath Thhov Loktchaar ..

 Sombrithh Haavus Burr Gayii Neerithh

Akh Log Laar Ta Akh Log Daar  ..

Gatkaaruss Munz  Zoov Roa'tt Motchhi Munz

Botchhi Ho'att Deut Sheena Baalus Taar ..

( Avtar Mota )

My simple English rendering of the  lines goes as under …

“ January 19,1990, Part -II"

Throwing a pitcher full of water over it ,

We doused the kitchen fires

When cries of "FIRE! FIRE! " spread all around .

A Death shadow kept trailing us on paths 

 And Fright  came in our way even to look back .
But for   guffaws of the Crematorium Caretakers,

A smoky Silence prevailed  all over,

 And endless burned the fires  in the Cremation Grounds .

Hectic remained the activity of Corpse Bathers ,

And Brisk was the business in the  Coffin Bazaar .

Naked ,They Dragged him down the Bridge, 

 He who happened to be  Our protector ,

Our Beloved  Sultan Budshaah  .

Shocked , Dumb and helpless ,

The Ghar Dewtaa ( Lord of the House )

Hid himself in a Big earthen Container

In the Paddy  Store .

 In the Filthy Drains  outside ,

were thrown  the Sacred strings of the  faith

 hung in the shrines  .

And  On heaps of dust lay the Headgears ( Dastaar)  of the  elders .

From the Chinks of the windows of the sitting room ,

We saw fires Blazing in the wooden fencing of our Courtard .

From the  Pooja Rooms , The idols Cried ,

"In whose  care are you leaving us ?"

And those sweet  memories of childhood ,

We placed on the shelf  meant for

offering kitchen food  to  Birds .

Ask not about  those desires held close to the heart ,

 Away went one in this direction  while the other  moved in that .

 Holding our lives   in these palms

 And Crying with Pangs of Hunger ,

We crossed the snowy Mountains

In total Darkness ..

( Avtar Mota )

                                         

PS

(1)

Ghar Dewta was  a popular concept with kashmiri Pandits . They would believe that every house was  protected by an omnipresent invisible   Dewta ( God ),  who according to the  legend,  would   always  be supportive to  the positive endeavors of the family.

(2) Sultan zain Ul Abdin or fondly remembered as Budshaah or Great king by Kashmiris . He was the most loved and adored king of kashmir. A liberal sultan ,  He is  known for popularizing Handicrafts , Trade and fine Arts in kashmir. Kashmir witnessed an era of peace , progress and prosperity during his rule. He was specifically  compassionate to Hindus  who had moved out to plains due to Fear and suppression  during the rule of   earlier sultans.

(3) Every kashmiri Pandit  household had a wooden shelf kept near kitchen window or at some convenient place on the outer wall of the house where freshly cooked food was placed every morning  for Crows and other  birds . This wooden shelf was known as Kaawa Paett ( Shelf for crows ).

(4) Thokur Ku’th or Pooja Room  was essential feature of a typical kashmiri Pandit House . Age old idols , Images of Gods , Conch shell , Bells, lamps and sacred scriptures/ Books  were kept in this room. Every day the Head of the family would  perform Pooja with  Flowers. Earthen lamps with oil were lit   and Incense was also burnt  for  worshipping  gods .

(5) Every kashmiri’s  ( Both Pandits and Muslims )  house especially in rural areas , had a Dhaan Ku’th or a room meant for storing paddy after the harvest. This paddy was stored in Big earthen container known as Dhaan Mae’tt. A normal person could conveniently hide inside this Earthen container .

(6) Maagha is the wintry month of Bikrami calender that corresponds to a period of Mid January to Mid February .Similarly *

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