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Tuesday, March 27, 2018
SHIV SUTRAS OF RISHI VASUGUPTA OF KASHMIR
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S C SHARMA AND SONS..AN OLD TAILORING SHOP IN JAMMU
Saturday, March 24, 2018
DR. RAHI MASOOM RAZA , MAHABHARATA AND KASHMIR
Dr RAHI MASOOM RAZA ( 1927-1992)
" 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."
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.
“ 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.”
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.
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Friday, March 23, 2018
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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Wednesday, March 21, 2018
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. A kalaadi is not to be confused with cheddar , mozzarella or any other type of processed cheese sold in the market. 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 .
( Kaladi with bread slices )
( Kalaadi at Pahalwan Sweets ,Jammu)
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.
(Avtar Mota)
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JALLIYAAN DI HATTI .....THE FAMOUS CHOCOLATE SHOP OF JAMMU "'
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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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Monday, March 19, 2018
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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Sunday, March 18, 2018
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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Saturday, March 17, 2018
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 .
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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 )
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Sunday, March 11, 2018
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 a 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 Gazals 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 aart 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 honest response to fundamental emotion.
(2) Firaq has enriched and indigenised his urdu assimilating so many words from Hindi, Sanskrit and Braj Baasha. Words like Komal, Kaaran, Deepshikha, Agnikund, vish, Ang, Pawan, Mukh, Kumadini, Kanwal, Banvaas, Roop, Shringaar, 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 moral or philosophical reflections. Firaq uses them to present images of feminine beauty and grace. These images have been created or captured in the homely roles of a mother, daughter, sister , wife and beloved .
(4) Through his Gazals, he has fully explored the emotional, physical and spiritual dimensions of love as the fundamental emotion of a human being. And he has given his personal tint and tone to it.
(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 the 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 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) Firaq's poetry is not divorced from the civilizational ethos of India and through his work, he contributes for its continuity.
Let me examine Firaq's thought process as it appears in his poem"Aadhi Raat" ."Aadhi Raat" was written around second world war when Russian troops were about to enter Berlin to defeat Nazi Germany .
While describing 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 ."
Turns in between..
Na muflisi ho to kitni haseen hai duniya,
Ab inquilab mein shaayad ziyaada deir nahin,
Sipaah e roos hain ab kitni door Berlin se ..
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 protean life i lead,
Like the petals of a rose flower,
Now for the coffin,
Now for the wreath..
{Avtar Mota)
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