GOODBYE TRILOKE KAUL ( 1925-2025)

                                   

                             ( Oil On Canvas by Triloke Kaul ) 

(Portrait of artist Triloke Kaul executed in  Impasto style by   GR Santosh..78×103 cms. Photo courtesy . Shabir Santosh )

TRILOKE KAUL ( 1925- 2025 )  ....CHHA GAYI RAAT GIR GAYA TAARA.

 ( THE STAR HAS FALLEN AND IT IS NIGHT TIME NOW )

Triloke Kaul is no more. Popularly known as the leader of “The Trio” and ably assisted by P N Kachru and S N Butt, Triloke Kaul  pioneered the Modern Art movement  in our UT . In 1948, this 'Trio' (Triloke Kaul, S N Butt and P N Kachru) started meeting Percy Brown (former Principal, Calcutta School of Arts and Crafts) who stayed in a houseboat in Kashmir after his retirement. These meetings coupled with the arrival of S H Raza gave birth to the Progressive Artists Association in the UT .  This " Trio" not only  brought Modern Art to our UT  but made names like  Picasso , Degas, Marc Chagall, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet , Henri Matisse, Edvard Munch, Salvador Dali , Fernand Leger,Pissarro, Renoir, Cezanne, Monet and many more known to the  generation of artists  that followed him .  This "Trio" made   the essentials of artistic movements like Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Cubism, and Expressionism known to the next generation of artists that followed them in the UT more specifically in the  Kashmir valley.  

About getting training at Baroda under N S  Bendre , he once told me this :-

" Well-known English writer, Dr Mulkh Raj Anand suggested that I join Baroda and obtain art training. He was the man behind my going to Baroda. I studied at Baroda for 5 years. Balraj Sahni was a friend .He had a special liking for people from the Kashmir valley. Always helpful, he was a great admirer of S N Butt’s art." 

He always talked emotionally about his ancestral house at Shalla Kadal, Srinagar, and his studio at Sumbal. He lost  all  his  books and priceless paintings that he had to leave behind in Kashmir to save his life after the onset of terrorism . His studio at Sumbal was vandalised and burnt. All the paintings were stolen. Apart from about 150 masterpieces done by him, he lost some portraits done by Jatin Dass and S H Raza. He also lost some paintings that were gifted to him by Kishori Kaul, Salgaonkar, P N Kachru, S N Butt and G R Santosh. He also lost more than 3000 books on art, philosophy and literature. His prized painting "How Green was My Valley" was also lost. Smoking his cigarettes and sipping his cup of coffee, he carried the pain and agony deep inside his heart.  Once he told me this :-

"Which Triloke Kaul you are talking about  ? I have nothing to show to you .  Everything has been  stolen. I feel as if I was not born at all or have done nothing in my life. This loss makes me feel as if I have neither lived nor struggled and also not painted at all."

Trained at Baroda by the renowned painter N S Bendre, Triloke Kaul  remained a tall figure not only amongst the artist fraternity of the UT (J&K) but also amongst the artists on the national scene. The time spent in Baroda evolved his style of work, which drew inspiration from Modernism, especially Cubism with its penchant for angular lines and bold compositions.To a person who did not know him, he appeared to be living in his own world. It was difficult to bring him  into discussions. But  once he opened up, you could discuss anything under the sun with him. He spoke on the "Theory of integers" from  Mathematics’ with the same ease as he spoke on works of Kafka or poetry of Dina Nath Nadim or Picasso's Guernica.A postgraduate in Mathematics from Lucknow University, Triloke Kaul belonged  to the well-known Baroda group that includes artists like G R Santosh, Ratan Parimoo, K G Subramanyan, Prabha Dongre, Shanti Dave, K Patel, Vinay Trivedi, N S Bendre, Balkrishna Patel, Jyoti Bhatt, Prafull Dave, and Ramesh Pandya.

  He was a   pioneer in the field of Modern Art who became  an Exile after being  uprooted and thrown out  from his motherland . A doyen   ignored by the system that failed to notice his immense contribution. After 1990 turmoil , one could notice clearly that he had  said goodbye to Marxism .He felt  loss on all fronts. He lost his life's work, his books, his studio, his house and above all his roots. During his last years, this great artist was lonely  , unhappy and ignored by the establishment  . Still, he would readily join any art event or  exhibition and interact with artists and art admirers. There was much to learn from him. He had many many things to say about art .His imprints on  Modern Art scenario in the UT   shall remain indelible. Sadgati and Moksha to this no le soul .  I conclude with a couplet of Faiz Ahmed Faiz:-

“Jo ruke to koh-e-garaan the hum,

 jo chale to jaan se guzar gaye

Rah-e-yaar humne kadam kadam

 tujhe yaadgaar banaa diya”…..Faiz Ahmed Faiz

 

 (For when we stayed, we rose like massifs,and when we strayed, we left life far behind;

on the pathway to you beloved, every step

we ever took became a memorial to your life.)

( Avtar 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\.

SHODAAS (CHARAS ADDICTS) IN KASHMIR

                                             

                                 ( Leaf of Cannabis plant ) 

    

SHODAAS (CHARAS ADDICTS) IN  KASHMIR

 

The caretaker Sadhu of the  Shiva Temple at Karapora Aabi, Rainawari  (near the shrine of Miyan Shah Sahib ), from South India, was quite popular with residents of the locality. He would daily perform Abhisheka of the deity and also do  Puja and Aarti with great devotion, apart from keeping the temple premises clean and tidy. I have often seen him during evening hours doing something unusual. He would go to the vacant land adjacent to the temple and keep rubbing some wild green plants with his hands for hours. The resin of the green leaves or soft branches would be transferred to a small container after scrubbing it off his hands. Something dark, semi-solid ball not bigger than a small pebble would be collected by him that he would keep in a box inside his room in the temple complex. One day, my friend Tej Krishen Kaul Kataal said this to me:-

“Swami is a gentleman, but he smokes locally extracted Charas in his Chillum. He extracts Charas and Bhaang from the same plant. He makes Pakoras of Bhaang leaves. He dries these leaves and crushes them to make a powder that he consumes with milk. Swami makes about 5 gm of Charas in six hours of hand rubbing the plants. Sometimes, I too have some puffs from Swami’s Chillum. I keep smiling at everything after some puffs and also feel sleepy. "

I have seen many people behaving unusually after consuming Bhaang or smoking Charas. I knew a baker in Rainawari who was addicted to Charas that he would procure from a shop on Red Cross Road behind KMDA bus Adda in Srinagar. He would fill a small quantity of Charas in his cigarette and smoke it, leaving a typical odour and dark blue smoke for his customers. Many friends would say that he has opened his third eye now, and his vision is clear.  He would start chattering about irrelevant things with his customers for hours.  He would laugh without purpose. Ghulam Nabi, the driver living a little away from our house, was another Charas addict. He would come to his home around 11 pm every day, crying and making a loud noise. Sometimes, he would come singing loudly.  At the time of the Amar Nath Ji Yatra in Kashmir, we would see all types of Aghori and Naga Sadhus smoking Charas. These Sadhus would keep some wet cloth wrapped to the base of the Chillum, and before starting their first puff, many among them would say,’Bum Bum Bhole. “or 'Jai Trilochana, Jai Naagbhushana, Jai Aghori Baba “

                                             

Though people are abusing numerous prohibited substances, cannabis, heroin, Charas, and tobacco are being sold as some of the most prevalent drugs in India, luring young minds and making them fall prey to a disastrous epidemic. These harmful substances are resulting in a potential threat to the health and social aspects of families. Some years back, I saw many Bhaang shops operated by Government in the UP State. In Mathura, I was told that Bhaang Pakoras and Bhaang Lassi are easily available at some shops. Despite the prohibition, many people in India continue to make and enjoy the Charas. Charas is an important cash crop for many communities in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Sometimes referred to as the "black gold" of the Himalayas, Charas has deep roots in herbalism and religion. Charas has amassed serious levels of cultural capital, being intertwined with religious and folkloric practices and rituals from the very beginning. In America and Europe, the product used by addicts is known as Marijuana, in North Africa as kief, in South Africa as dagga, and in Arabia and Egypt as Hashish. While Hashish is made from a dead cannabis plant, Charas is extracted from a live one.

CHARAS TAKIAS OF KASHMIR 

Charas was consumed in Kashmir by many, including Fakirs, religious men, Sadhus, saints and Darvesh category individuals. It was easily available at some identified spots. People would consume it in groups, too. In the olden days, Charas-Takia was a place for group smoking. There were Charas Takias in Maisuma, Zainakadal, Rainawari, Taashwan (Fateh Kadal), Zaaldagar, Safa Kadal, Batmaloo, Saraf Kadal, Kalashpora, Narwara and many more places. The addict to Charas was known as Shoda. At these Takias, Shodas would spend the whole day, pay some money to the manager (Takiadaar) and listen to Sufiana Music, doing no other economic activity. Every Takia was paying taxes to the government. Charas was also consumed by singers and listeners in Mehfil e Sama. To grant some social acceptance to Charas smoking, some Kashmiris would say, "charsi kabhi na marsi " or 'a Charas addict never dies '. Charas smoking makes a man short-tempered. Accordingly, a Short-tempered person was nicknamed ‘Shoda’ in the Kashmiri society.

Kashmiris were also using Bhaang. Powdered leaves of the Bhaang plant mixed with milk or water were called Bhang-Sheera. Bhaang was used by some people in the olden days. Now Bhaang consumption is nowhere to be seen in Kashmir and Takias of Shodas have also been dismantled after 1947. But Charas consumption has spread to the entire length and breadth of the Kashmir valley among the youth.

CHARAS AND GAANJA

Though charas, Gaanja and Bhaang all are collected from the same plant, Cannabis Sativa, they are different. Charas is made by rubbing the buds of the cannabis plant in your hands while Bhaang is made by drying, grinding, and soaking the buds and leaves of the Cannabis sativa plant. Unlike Charas, Bhaang is not used for smoking. Charas (cannabis indica), Bhaang and Gaanja are narcotic drugs or hallucinogenic products which are obtained from different parts of the Cannabis sativa plant.  They have sleep-inducing properties and are highly addictive. Cannabis sativa is a hemp plant. Charas is made from the resin of cannabis plants. It is obtained from the resinous secretion from the flowering tops of female plants. Bhaang is an edible preparation of cannabis which is used in food and drink, it is mixed with milk. It is obtained from fresh and dried leaves and the flowering shoots of male and female plants. Ganja is a Hindi name for hemp, which is also a preparation from cannabis sativa. It is obtained from an unfertilised female inflorescence.

                                             

Some years back, this writer saw many Bhaang shops operated by Government in the UP State. In Mathura, this author was told that Bhaang Pakoras are also available along with Bhaang Lassi at some shops. Apart from Kashmir, Chars is also grown illegally in Parvati Valley (Himachal Pradesh). Despite its illegality, charas has become one of the dominant cash crops in both the Anantnag district (Kashmir) and the Parvati Valley (H.P.)

Grown on a commercial scale in the Anantnag district, many individuals have made a fortune from its illegal sale, which has affected the social life and value system of the society. It is sad to see that this addiction has become rampant among youth in Kashmir at present. Day in and day out, we read in newspapers about police parties seizing cannabis from vehicles or individuals in J&K. Hidden skillfully, the Charas is illegally sent out of Kashmir like apples and other fruits. 

 SOME SERIOUS ILL EFFECTS OF CHARAS CONSUMPTION

In any case, Charas doesn’t do well to any person in respect of their physical and mental health, apart from rendering addicts idle and incapable of performing gainful economic activity. Consumption of Charas can have grave risks. Some people may get anxious, paranoid, or have panic attacks, especially if they take too much. Long-term use of Charas can cause mental health problems like sadness, anxiety disorders, and memory loss. It also affects the cardiovascular system by raising the heart rate and possibly causing lung problems, especially when burned. Although it gives a false sense of well-being, Charas plays havoc with memory and judgment. Our body shows signs of an allergy, a condition in which the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. It creates coordination problems and trouble walking actively.

 According to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), repeated abuse of Charas during teenage years may result in long-lasting changes in brain function that can hinder educational, professional, and social achievements. Charas abuse can make people experience a combination of physical and mental effects, and the body experiences more negative symptoms when used frequently. Sometimes people who are dependent upon the regular use of Charas can get diagnosed with severe mental illness. Charas addiction is a chronic disease and thus requires effective treatment.

SOME NEWS ITEMS RELATING TO THE SEIZURE OF CHARAS BY POLICE

 

“In 2017, the ANC managed to crack down on key suppliers from the region and recovered cannabis worth Rs 1.40 crore in Mumbai. Haji Abdul Rehman Ali Mohammad Sheikh, 67, a resident of Anantnag district of Kashmir, who allegedly supplied 25-30kg of Charas to the city every month was arrested in July, along with his aide Irfaan Maisar Qureshi, a 42-year-old taxi driver from Nagpada. The police recovered 21kg of Charas (worth Rs 80 lakh) from them. “

(Source Hindustan Times, Feb 6, 2018)

 

“The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Jammu and Kashmir Police foiled a bid to smuggle Charas worth lakhs of rupees on Thursday. The ANTF seized 18 kilograms of Charas from the accused and arrested two individuals in Jammu. A specialised unit tasked with controlling the drug problem in the area received information that a Hyundai i20 car with two passengers would be carrying a large quantity of Charas. The vehicle was on its way from the Kashmir valley to Punjab via Jammu.”

(Source India Today, Oct 1, 2021)

“A police spokesperson said, “Acting on specific inputs, a police party from Police Station Bijbehara laid a Naka at Zirpara. During the check, a Hyundai Creta (Registration No.. JK02CX-6665) was intercepted. Upon thorough search of the vehicle, approximately 1.250 kilograms of Charas powder-like substance was recovered along with ₹2.48 lakh in cash.”

(Source Rising Kashmir, May 18, 2025)

“The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), formed by the Jammu and Kashmir administration,n has seized a large consignment of drugs to curb narcotics smuggling. The task force recovered a consignment of 49 kilograms of Charas from a truck travelling from South Kashmir to Nashik in Maharashtra. The police have detained the truck driver who was carrying such a large consignment. SP Vinay Sharma informed reporters that the ANTF received credible information that a narcotics consignment was in truck number PB13AF-1246 travelling from Kashmir to Jammu. Acting on this information, police personnel set up a checkpoint near Batra Hospital in the Siddra area. As soon as the truck reached Siddra, the police personnel stopped it. During the search of the truck, the consignment of Charas was recovered from inside.”

 (Google Translation from Hindi  ...Source: Dainik Jagran,  July 9, 2020)

"Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday seized over 30 kilograms of Charas powder during a series of coordinated raids in Wantrag village, Anantnag district. Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the case."

(Source: Kashmir Life, April 6, 2025)

Every day, newspapers inform us that illegally smuggled Charas has been seized by the police and the culprits arrested.  We don’t know how much is precisely smuggled out and how much is stopped by police action. It needs public awareness as well to weed out this menace from society.  The well-known Kashmir poet Rahman Rahi has written a satirical sonnet, ‘Soun Gaam’ or ‘Our Village’, which depicts the incongruities of social life in Kashmir. It also mentions “Charas Trade” as an important activity to acquire wealth. I quote some lines from this poem translated into English by Mir Afzal.

 

“Our village is better off as a village; call it not a city

It receives sap from Deen-dharma; make it not thirsty

This farmer friend diverts the village canal for his urgent use

This travelling trader sells woollen shawls as authentic Shahtoos

This is the land of rishis, from every corner are expected offerings

Bedlam is unleashed when a dervish releases from his Chillum smoke rings

It is here I saw in a garden Shakti in the embrace of Shiva held

It is here in tightly draped rooms that blue films are beheld

Tourists will be camping there, if this saw goes into the jungle

And if your eyes are irritated, it is I who is burning diesel

Qur’an I’ve heard as well, but I’ve got to place on the market my daughter

Throw a recitation party too, I will, if successful, is my “Charas venture”

 

(Avtar Mota) 

 

PS

(1)

The text is published copyright material. Needs specific permission from the author for its usage anywhere   in any form by any person. 

(2)

Charas, Bhaang and Gaanja are listed under Section 2 in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985. Consumption in any form and sale or purchase of these drugs / substances  is illegal in India . These drugs/ substances have ill effects on the physical and mental health of a person . These can even kill a person. 

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\.

TEARS AND SMILES HIDDEN IN FIVE ANNECDOTES FROM KASHMIR

                                        

 ( The blogger with well-known theatre artist Makhan Lal Saraf)

              ( Bhaand Pathar  artists at a performance ) 

(1)

THE INDIA -PAKISTAN  CRICKET MATCH AND KASHMIRIS

When India lost the match, the street urchins danced in Mallapora, Rainawari. Suddenly, two boys picked up stones and flung them on the galvanised tin sheets of the roof of Roshan Lal’s house. Chanda Jigir, his wife, opened the window and cried:-

“Why are you throwing stones at our roof when Pakistan won the match? You should be happy and enjoying.”

One urchin replied:-

“Bhabi, we are not against you.  We are happy and excited.  “

When India won the match, Ali Tailor closed his shop at midday with this shock. He threw the transistor set on the road and the boys cried, “Imran Khan Murdabaad". Imran Khan was the then-captain of the Pakistani cricket team. The boys proceeded towards the nearby house of Roshan Lal. They picked up two stones and flung them on the galvanised tin sheets of the roof of Roshan Lal’s house. Chanda Jigir, his wife, opened the window and cried:-

“What will the Indian team give us? Why do you throw stones at our houses? “

The street urchin replied:-

“Please close your windows and sit inside. We don’t want to hit you. In the morning, Roshan Lal had said to Ali Tailor that India would win the match. You get all the information in advance. We want to break that secret wireless set hidden in your house?”

(2)

COMMEMORATING KASHYAP  BANDHU IN PHERAN AND NERIWAAR

The Camp School of the exiles organised a programme on Kashyap Bandhu, a leader of the Kashmiri Pandits known for  spearheading  the Social Reform Movement in the community. The children, mostly girls, presented a dance drama wearing traditional Pherans. Someone from the audience cried:-

“Stop this. This is not a real tribute to Bandhu Ji. He had started an aggressive ‘Social Reform’ movement before 1947, as a result of which Kashmiri women discarded Pheran and Neriwaar and shifted to Sari. He led the Sari movement. And you are reviving the Pheran for our women, discarded under the leadership of Bandhu Ji.”

Someone from the organising committee replied on the microphone:-

“As exiles, we have to revive all the discarded rituals, customs and traditions.”

A girl from the troupe wearing the Pheran and presenting the dance drama came to the microphone and said:-

“Sir, it is difficult for us to dance in Pheran and Taranga. It is very hot and unbearable. Can’t we present the dance drama wearing Shalwar Kameez?

(3)

 ALL ARE LEADERS HERE

When Kishen Ji saw an assembly of Kashmiri Pandits outside the Press Club, Jammu, he forgot he had come to collect monthly medicines from the nearby CGHS dispensary. He also joined  the gathering. He was the chairman of the 'Jal Shakti Party (Hand Pump cell).  Exchanging pleasantries, he suddenly stood up and said,” Listen, friends, we must strive for our rights. Our goal is not far off. We are almost there. Tomorrow we are meeting the Relief Commissioner. Thereafter, we shall hold a Press Conference. You will come to know all through our party’s Publicity Secretary after two days. I have to be brief as we are having a book release function today at 4 pm in K L Saigal Hall. Jawahar Zabardast is releasing his latest poetic collection,’ Kul Ta Coolie “. It is good to see poets emerging from all corners of the community after 1990. Tomorrow we are having the 10^th day assembly of Karamyogi Onkar Nath at Muthi Ghat. Day after tomorrow, we are busy with the Hawan and Prasad distribution. So see you after two days here only.”

A young boy got up from the gathering and said, “You are addressing leaders. All assembled over here are leaders. We are waiting for the media to arrive to give individual press statements from each party in that room. We have been advised to wait outside and enter one after the other for the media. There is one common issue upon which all of us have agreed, and that is pooling money for the entertainment of the media. We will give statements that suit our party and our interests. There is no audience here; only leaders.”

(4)

RAY OF LIGHT THAT GANDHI JI SAW IN KASHMIR

A prominent political leader from Kashmir said this:-

“In 1947, Gandhi Ji saw Kiran (ray of light) in Kashmir as the rest of India was caught in communal frenzy. “

A refugee living in Muthi (Jammu) tented accommodation said this:-

 “I wish Gandhi Ji had visited Kashmir in 1990 to see the actual Kiran (ray of light). The Kiran of 1990 was used to torch houses of Pandits, burn bridges and educational institutions. The candles lit with the Kiran of 1990 were used for plundering deserted houses of Kashmiri Pandits at night. The Kiran was carried by some brokers to Jammu, who put all pressure on the tented Kashmiri Pandit exiles to execute “Power of Attorneys” empowering them to grab their property for peanuts. "

(5)

THE QUESTION OF FOUR MILLIONS IN KASHMIR

The Public

They cried this in the rallies before and after the elections:-

“Zindabaad me haz bus chonuai sreh

Zindabaad tse pyokha, adha haz pe”… (Poet Dina Nath Nadim)

 

(Zindabaad! I have a deep attachment to you alone,

Zindabaad! Have you lost? Then get lost.)

 (First line before elections and second line after the results were out.)

 The Leader

 The leader was asked many questions and he said this:-

 “How many people are with you?’

“Four million “

“How many are with your rival?”

“Four million “

“How many want to live in India?”

“Four million “

How many want Pakistan?”

“Four million “

“How many want Azadi?”

“Four million “

“What is the population of this place? “

“Four million “

(Avtar 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\.

GHULAM QADIR GANDERBALI (1911-1970) …THE FORGOTTEN POLICE OFFICER

                                                                     

                                                                             

GHULAM QADIR GANDERBALI (1911-1970) …THE FORGOTTEN POLICE OFFICER

 

He was the first police officer from Kashmir to be inducted into the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1958, for his work and reputation. Born into a family of wealthy landlords from Ganderbal, he joined the police service in 1930 as a sergeant during the rule of Maharaja Hair Singh and rose to the post of Deputy Inspector General of Police.

                                         

                                  ( Maharaja Hari Singh, Sheikh Abdullah and Nehru )

In 1947, during the 'Tribal Raid' in Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah formed the Peace Brigade, nicknamed ‘Khuftan Fakirs’ by Kashmiris.  The Peace Brigade was formed by National Conference to instill confidence in masses after the breakdown of law and order when Tribal Raiders attacked Kashmir and Maharaja was advised by *GOI emissary ( V P Menon ) to leave Kashmir immediately handing over power to  National Conference leadership which was already in close touch with Indian National Congress leadership headed by Jawahar Lal Nehru. They were also nicknamed 'Kuntreh Pandaah' as every member of the brigade was paid a net salary of Rs. 29 and 15 Anna. From a salary of Rs. 30 per month, one Anna was deducted for a stamped receipt. During the turbulent days of the 'Tribal Raid ' in Kashmir, the ‘Khuftan Fakirs’, equipped with wooden dandas (Hatab wood ), knives, and axes, marched through Srinagar city to maintain peace and dispel fear from the minds of locals. Once ‘Tribal Raid’ was over, the Peace Brigade was not disbanded. From 1947-1953, Sheikh Abdullah, as ruler of J&K, crushed political dissent through this ‘Peace Brigade’ or ‘Khuftan Fakirs’. As per orders of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, It was this Peace Brigade who got ex-PM of J&K, Ramchandra Kak, tied to ropes, and paraded half-naked on the streets of Lal Chowk. The Peace Brigade was managed by the topmost leaders of NC under the command of Sheikh Abdullah. With his dismissal on 9th August 1953, the ‘Khuftan Fakirs' came under the direct control of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, the new PM of J&K. Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad also utilised the services of the’ Peace Brigade’ against his political opponents, pro-Pakistani elements and members of the Plebiscite Front. He made Ganderbali head of “Special Staff” or “Khuftan Fakirs”. Ganderbali proved tough with anti-India groups and pro-Pakistan individuals during the rule of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad.

                                                                          

        ( Sadr e Riyasat Dr Karan Singh  presenting a Medal to Gandherbali )

                                   

                    ( Sheikh Abdullah in Pakistan with Ayub Khan )

                                           

                         ( Sheikh Abdullah with Nehru ) 

                             ( Khuftan Fakirs  or Peace Brigade ) 

 

As DIG of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Ganderbali played a key role during one of the state’s most politically charged atmospheres. He also served in the CID, fiercely working to counter propaganda from Radio Azad Kashmir in POK against India and Kashmiri mainstream leadership. This radio station also started a campaign of vilification against Ganderbali with a false propaganda-based programme saying that he was putting hot potatoes into the mouths of anti-India and pro-Pakistan elements and also rolling hot iron on their bellies. There were allegations of torture and rough treatment by some pro-Pakistan groups and members of the Plebiscite Front against him within Kashmir. Some senior police officers have refuted all these allegations as exaggerated. Capt. S K Tikoo, who knows the family of Ganderbali, has this to inform:-

 

“The stories of third-degree torture by Ghulam Qadir  Ganderbali are highly exaggerated and emerged mostly from local propaganda by vested interests and  Radio Azad Kashmir based in POK. Some pro-Pakistan elements in Kashmir tried to demonise him. Ganderbali’s visible ruthlessness was his sudden appearance at a Paan shop in the evening, where a motley crowd would be listening to Pakistan news, and whereat he would make good use of his baton, and the radio set would be silenced forever.”

                                                                        

( **Ganderbali in white jacket with L D Thakur IGP in Lal Chowk, Srinagar )

                                          

                                      ( Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad with Mohammad Rafi )

Ganderbali was also a member of the Constituent Assembly and a supporter of landmark land reforms under Sheikh Abdullah, backing the “Land to the Tillers” movement and criticising feudal exploitation. This is what he spoke in the Constituent Assembly:-

 

“The poor peasant, with his family, toils hard in the field, grows crops and provides a chance for the landlord to attain a high position. He has grabbed the tillers income. The latter remained poor, naked or without food while the former has made himself rich and fat. Sher I Kashmir has, after taking all these facts into account, raised the slogan of ‘Land to the Tillers’. This slogan reached every corner of our land. This slogan appealed to the poor, oppressed, and downtrodden peasants, who are in the majority in our country. Their deepest feelings were stirred, and they felt conscious of the fact that they did not enjoy the status of human beings. Despite his own and his family’s hard labour in the field throughout the year, he is unable to obtain two square meals and an hour of leisure. The peasant realised that the fruit of his labour was being usurped and that moral and human status was being denied to him. They became conscious. By and by liberation movement gained strength. The peasant was inspired. The feudal Government tried to curb them, but they knew how to defend themselves, and so they went ahead. The tillers were put to forced labour (Baigar) in Gilgit, Ladakh, Bonii and Banihal frontiers, and 90% of them would not return because they were treated as animals and beasts.”

                                                                            

                                    ( Members of the Constituent Assembly of J&K )

 

He loved music more specifically Kashmiri Sufiana music. He was married to Raj Begum, a celebrated Kashmiri singer, and was the inaugural recipient of the Police Medal for Gallantry in J&K State. In his book, “Guns Under My Chinar “, A M Wattali writes this:-

 

“Sheikh Ghulam Qadir Ganderbali raided the premises of the Rajas of Zachaldara and Rajpura -the Jagirdars (feudatories of Maharaja) who were quintessential the harbingers of sowing the seeds of sedition and secession in Jammu and Kashmir by siding with Pakistan in getting arms and ammunition into the erstwhile state.”

 

Other Notable Achievements

 

( 1)

He led the police team that arrested Munawar, the notorious Pakistani trans-border criminal hiding with lethal arms somewhere in the Gulmarg hills. The government of Pakistan had declared an award of Rs50000/= for the arrest or elimination of Munawar. When the Pakistan government decided to give him the award, he declined, saying that he could not accept awards from an enemy country.

(2)

In 1953, as an investigating police officer, he built a foolproof case against Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Mirza Afzal Beg. He gathered some crucial evidence. Through secret Pakistani support, the Plebiscite Front had also sought help from Dingle Foot, the noted criminal lawyer from England. Dingle Foot is reported to have told Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Mirza Afzal Beg that the investigating police officer had built a foolproof case against them, and their chances of winning the battle were dim. Dingle Foot also cross-examined Ganderbali for 2 hours as the chief investigator of the case, but didn’t succeed.

(3)

 He was the main support of B N Mullick, who investigated the Hazratbal Conspiracy case relating to the theft of holy relics from the Hazratbal shrine. Ganderbali was made part of the SIT to investigate the theft of the holy relic. He also played a key role in the recovery of the holy relic and the maintenance of law and order.

 

Sheikh Ghulam Qadir Ganderbali reportedly worked for 14 hours a day. This strenuous lifestyle played havoc with his health. He caught tuberculosis and had to be shifted to AIIMS, New Delhi, where he breathed his last on February 21, 1970. Mrs Indira Gandhi (PM) and Y B Chavan (HM) visited him in the hospital, and also came to the airport when his body was taken to Srinagar for the last rites. 

 

(Avtar Mota )

PS

*

From the book," The Essays Which That Change Your Beliefs ", ...Extract from the interview of Capt Dewan Singh ADC to Maharaja Hari Singh with this blogger:- 

“As Maharaja came to know about the Tribal Raid, he wanted to lead his troops from the front like a true Kshatriya. Inside Srinagar Palace, during those crucial days of October 1947, one day, I saw the Maharaja in battle dress. He called his officers and asked us to be ready for any sacrifice to save our motherland. It was only Brigadier Rajinder Singh who stood like a rock and stopped the Maharaja from visiting Uri and leading troops to stop the advancing tribal raiders. I disagree with the popular belief that Maharaja ran away at night to save his life. Let me make it clear that during those critical days, the Maharaja‘s mind was only focused on driving away the raiders and saving his state and the people. He never thought of leaving Kashmir. He was very firmly asked to, or better say, directed to move out of the valley immediately by Mr V P Menon, who suddenly flew to Srinagar one day with the draft of the accession document. The painful decision to leave was reluctantly taken during the afternoon of the same day. It was 25th October 1947. And we left during the night at 2 a m the same day. Sheikh Abdullah had sought assurance from Pandit Ji that the Maharaja would leave Srinagar before the formation of the popular Government once the instrument of accession was signed. And Pandit Ji did not want to annoy Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah."

**

See Photo no 3 from the bottom ...Ghulam Qadir Ganderbali in a white short jacket with LD Thakur, IGP. They are in Lal Chowk. Alied Charagdin Sons was a transport company running Srinagar Rawalpindi Buses, later Jammu Srinagar buses. The company was closed in the 1960s after SRTC took over the entire passenger transport movement on the Banihal Cart Road.

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\.

BROAD BEANS OR FAVA BEANS OR WINDSOR BEANS OR BOGLA DAAL AND KASHMIRIS..

                                             

                                           

BOGLA DAAL.... BROAD BEANS OR FAVA BEANS   or WINDSOR BEANS AND KASHMIRIS..

"Ha'taa bi ! Amiss di chana bogla ras..Amiss iyee hyass hue ..."

" O lady! Give him soup of dry broad beans mixed with gram.He will have some energy"

This is what was recommended to my mother by Prem Nath Koul" wafa"  RMP .Along with Shamboo Nath Sathu RMP , he did  roaring practice from his medical shop near Jogi Lanker Bridge. No gossip monger was allowed to sit in the shop . Pandits and Muslims of Rainawari  would visit this shop. I would always see sick persons being  brought  from interior localities of Dal  Lake( in roofless boats) to this shop.The doctors in this shop were assisted by a trusted compounder cum helper known as  Mohi ud Din . Mother had taken me to Prem Nath Wafa's shop after I had recovered from an attack of typhoid and was feeling extremely weak and emaciated. Those days only tea or some liquids were allowed to typhoid patients. I loved the Daal made from chana (gram)and Bogla(broad beans). It used to have a different taste.Something like mutton soup. Mother would add a spoon of Jammu Khaalis Ghee that was the preferred and branded /Agmark Desi Ghee in the market those days.

Bogla Daal was sold in plenty by Galdhaars (traders in pulses and grains) in the  Kashmir valley . Doctors recommended its soup during sickness. It was the first choice of doctors and Hakeems  to patients who had fever, typhoid, jaundice and other ailments.Grown in many areas of the Kashmir valley especially Karewas( plateaus) ,it was a cheap  source of protein for the poor.A recent study on broad Beans published in" European Journal Of Clinical Nutrition " informs this :-

" Broad beans are an excellent vegetable source of protein and fibre. This may be a winning combination for weight loss.  Broad beans are also rich in both folate and B vitamins, which we need for nerve and blood cell development, cognitive function and energy."

As I grew, I found people developing a distaste for Bogla Daal and strangely linking it with poverty and backwardness.And I have found that post exile, Kashmiri Pandits have started consuming it once more .Plenty of Bogla Daal is sold in Jammu now .You can buy it from Prasad Koul And sons Gole pulli TalabTillo, Kangan Spices Udhaywala, Ram Sham Provision Store Rehari,  Jain Masala Store located at  Pacci Dacci and Pucca Graat ,Talab Tillo . I saw Fava beans at many stores in the US. The Kalustyan's  store on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan sold one  lb packet of dry Fava beans @ 8 US Dollars .You get them in tins as well ; something ready to cook .

(Avtar 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\.