AKHTAR KHAN'S MAJOON-E-SHABAAB

                                                                           

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AKHTAR KHAN'S MAJOON-E-SHABAAB

Akhtar Khan , the lively Pushto and Kashmiri-speaking Pathan, lived at     Badiyaar , Bala Srinagar   . He was forthright and direct in his dealings and communication. Akhtar was a customer of our bank who often gossiped with bank employees and gave them some samples of special Unani medicine for what he called Majoon e Shabab ( tonic for youthful power ). He also supplied some herbs to Unani Hospital for which he would bring treasury bills for petty amounts of twenty or thirty or forty rupees .

He would also sit on the footpath near Broca Press in Lal Chowk, carrying a flute in one hand and a damroo in the other. Before settling down, he would erect an enormous banner depicting a Pathan perched on a lofty mountain peak, searching among rocks and boulders for shilajeet. A tiger, prominently painted near the rocks, added to the drama. The intention was unmistakable: to impress upon curious onlookers how perilous and difficult it was to procure this rare mountain substance, the prized ingredient of his herbal preparation, Majoon-e-Shabab.

Once the banner was in place, he would spread a mat on the footpath and instruct his helper to arrange the boxes containing his various herbal preparations. Everything was carefully orchestrated. He would then take the flute in one hand and beat the damroo with the other, producing an unusual combination of sounds to attract passers-by. The performance was as much a part of his trade as the medicines he sold. Before long, curious pedestrians would begin to gather around him, drawn by the music, the colourful banner and the promise of his celebrated Majoon-e-Shabab. He would then begin:

“Meharbaan! Qadardaan! Yeh Maajoon-e-Shabaab hai! Jawaani ki galti ka ilaaj hai! Jawaani ki taaqat hai! Yeh ilaaj-e-kam-naseebi hai! Iss ka maafiq dawa kisi mamaalik mein na hai, na milega! Firangi ki dawa khao, ek beemaari ka ilaaj karo aur dus mein mubtala ho jao! Yeh tibb hai! Yeh Yunani ilm ka kamaal hai! Yeh rooh ka ghiza hai! Khan dawa ke saath dua mein bhi yaqeen rakhta hai. Dawa lo, Maalik shifa ataa karega! Yaqeenan! Iss ko buzurg baap ko do, chhote bhai ko do, bachche ko do, dost ko do, dushman ko do aur sab ki dua lo! Khan ko yaad karna! Abhi taaza banaayega. Taste karaayega. Ho Khwaja! Aey Pandit Ji! Mera Sardar bhai! Khabardaar! Hujoom mein Khan ka dushman, jeb-katra bhi hai! Tawajju idhar, magar haath jeb par! Biraadar, khabardaar! Biraadar, hoshiyaar!”

(Kind-hearted people! Worthy gentlemen! This is Majoon-e-Shabaab! A remedy for the mistakes of youth! A source of youthful strength! A cure for ill fortune! There is no medicine like this in any country, nor will you ever find its equal! Take those foreign medicines! Cure one ailment and find yourself afflicted with ten others! This is the science of healing! This is the marvel of Unani medicine! This is nourishment for the soul! Khan believes in prayer as much as he believes in medicine. Take the medicine, and the Almighty will grant you healing! Most certainly! Give it to your aged father! Give it to your younger brother! Give it to your child! Give it to your friend! Give it even to your enemy! And earn everyone's blessings! Remember Khan! I shall be preparing it shortly. You will be asked to taste it. Hey, Khwaja Sahib! O Pandit Ji! My dear Sardar brother! Beware! There is another enemy of Khan lurking in this crowd — the pickpocket! Keep your attention here, but your hand on your pocket. Brother, beware! Brother, stay alert!)

The Pathan herbal tonic seller had his own market and dedicated customers. He had his own marketing style. Where has he gone ? He is no longer seen on Indian footpaths now.

(Avtar Mota )

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