THE
REVIEW OF THE BIOPIC ON BHAGWAN GOPI NATH (1898-1968) RELEASED ON 8TH MARCH,
2025 AT JAMMU
“Na takht o taaj mein na lashkar I sipaah mein hai
Jo baat mard e qalandhar ki baargaah mein hai....”
(A monarch’s pomp
and mighty arms can never give such glee,
As can be felt in
the presence of a Qalandar bold and free.)
Bhagwan Gopi Nath was a mystic,
Siddha, saint and spiritualist of the 20th century Kashmir. He remains the most
revered saint among Kashmiri Pandits with his Ashrams at Srinagar, Jammu, New
Delhi, Bengaluru, Ghaziabad, Kanga, Pune and some more locations in the
country. Bhagwan Gopinath lived a very confined life and avoided glare and
publicity. Hardly did he ever move out from the Kashmir valley. He was known as
Aghoreshwar, and he mostly preferred to remain silent. For those who came to
see him, he was an ocean of compassion and care. Never did he look at their
caste, creed, colour or beliefs.
Bhagwan Gopinath belonged to the Bhan
family from Bhana Mohalla in Srinagar city. His father Pandit Narayan Joo Bhan
was a Pashmina trader. From childhood, Bhagwan Gopinath exhibited detachment
from the world and habitually visited the abode of goddess Sharika at Hari
Parbat. After completing his education at the ‘Christian Missionary Society’
school of Fateh Kadal in Srinagar city, he joined Vishinath Press as a
compositor. After some time, he opened a shop in downtown and later in
Sekidafar. Finally he renounced the worldly activities and focused on Ishwar
Sadhana. He lived in some houses but at every place, he kept a dhoni (sacred
fire) burning before him and offered oblations into it. He also engaged himself
in the unending process of Naam-Japa using every breath without murmuring a
word for others to listen. He performed penance at many sacred places in
Kashmir include Khrew ( Jwala Ji ), Hari Parbat ( Sharika Devi ) , Kheer
Bhawani ( Ragnya Devi ) , Ishber , Pushkar Raj Bhairav , Bhadrakali Temple near
Handwara , Zyeshta Devi , Martand Temple , Pokhribal Temple , Gautamnag ,
Vichaarnag etc. Some select devotees always accompanied him on these
pilgrimages.
Through his miracles and blessings, he
remained a great benefactor of Kashmiris in general. In 1947, he is believed to
have assured his apprehensive disciples to convey to people in general that the
tribal raiders would never enter Srinagar city. As his name and fame spread,
many spiritual Gurus from the country would visit him but he always avoided
publicity and glare. He remained confined to his own Sadhana and Naam-Japa
before the ever-burning Dhooni. Amongst his devotees, one can include Justice
Shiv Nath Katju of Allahabad High Court. Modern Hindi poet Sumitranandan Pant
also wrote a poem on Bhagwan Gopinath. Bhagwan Gopinath Knew Hindi, Urdu,
Persian and Sanskrit. He could also read and write Sharada script. He was a
connoisseur of classical music and many Bhajan Mandalis performed before him.
Pandit Ved Lal Dhar and Sufiana singer Mohammad Abdullah Tibetbaqaal would also
perform before him.
The present biopic titled”
Sarvavyapak: Bhagwan Gopinathji” is based on the biography of Bhagwan Gopinath
written by S N Fotedar. The script and screenplay (in English) for the film
have been written by Padamshri Pran Kishore Kaul. There could have been no
better person to write the script and story than Pran Kishore Kaul who apart
from being the pioneer of radio drama, has also successfully scripted some very
popular serials for television, including Gul Gulshan Gulfam. ‘Maenzraat’, the
first Kashmiri feature
film directed by Pran Kishore Kaul, received ‘Silver Peacock’. The stage adaptation of poet Dina Nath Nadim’s
opera ‘Bombur ta Yemberzal ‘was superbly directed by him and shown to the
Russian delegation in December 1955 in Srinagar. The Russian delegation
included Marshal Bulganin and Nikita Khrushchev. He also
directed the stage adaptation of ‘Vitasta’ opera scripted by
Dina Nath Nadim. The opera was performed in various cities of the country and
it won rave reviews in print media everywhere. Pran Kishore Kaul, known as the
master of his craft, especially theatre, drama and films has pooled his
creative energy even at this advanced age to make this biopic something that is
going to enthuse, appeal and captivate the audience. About the film, Pran Kishore
Kaul said this:-
“When
Sanjay Kaul ( producer ) and Jaya Patwari ( trustee of Bhagwan Gopinath
Ashram ) entrusted the task of making this biopic to me , there
were many difficulties . Hardly anything detailed had been written about
Bhagwan Ji’s life and work. His first line of devotees were no longer living.
People only spoke about some miracles with no authenticity or source.
Fortunately, I saw S N Fotedar’s book on Bhagwan Ji and heaved a sigh of
relief. I read many books, interviewed many people and grasped his life story
and work and then set to write the script and finally the screenplay. I have
always believed in the team that I built over the years. They came at the first
call almost free. We spotted our actors from gatherings and acquaintances. Most
of them are first-time actors. They are engineers and technocrats. Bhagwan
Ji’s role was played by a young boy from Jagti, Jammu who was recommended by
Makhan Lal Saraf. Waheed Jeelani, Raja Bilal, Kishen Ji Langoo, Vir Ji Sumbly,
Dilip Langoo, Abhay Rustom Sopori, K K Raina, Vijay Mattoo, Saurabh Zadoo,
Sanjay Nahar and many came without a fee. We have done something impossible in
a meagre budget.”
Pran Kishore Kaul has used four
popular Leelas or devotional songs of Mahatma Krishen Joo Razdan in his biopic
"Sarvavyapak: Bhagwan Gopi Nath Ji ". These are:-
(1)
"gatta tsajji gash aav chaane zennai
Jai jai jai devki
Nandanai"
( Darkness has withered away and light has spread all
around upon your birth.
Victory, victory and victory to you, O son of Devki )
(2)
" hosh dim lagayo pamposh paadan
ha saadan
haendh saadho lo "
( Grant me awareness, my life at your lotus feet
O highest one among all the saints ). This
composition of Mahatma Krishen Joo Razdan is based on Rishi Vasugupta's Shiv
Sutra, "Awareness is the knowledge".
( 3)
"beil ta
maadal venna gulaab pamposh dastai
poozai laagas
param shivas shiv nathastai.."
(For your pooja archana,
I bring bundles of beil patra,
maadal flowers, herbs,
roses and lotus flowers,
O Param Shiva
O Shiv Natha .)
(4)
" Aadhaar
zagtuk kunuyi chhu mantar
Shivai namoh om
namoh shivai "
( This universe is founded only on one Mantra,
' Shivaye Namoh Om Namoh Shivaye " )
In this biopic, apart from the above
devotional songs, Pran Kishore Kaul has also picturised a great scene in which
women are shown singing Adi Sankara's famous Devi stuti, " gauri amba
ambur hakshe aham -eide" while Bhagwan Gopinath Ji is performing a
Homa. The Shiv Leela of poet Radhe Nath Masarat," chaane
darshan kuyi chhum haavas shankar naavas pooza chheyi " has also been
picturised with Bhagwan Ji performing Homa using the ever-burning Dhoni (
sacred fire ) before him. And Bhagwan Ji is shown giving whatever money he has
with him to the Sadhus proceeding on the Amarnath Yatra. In this biopic, one also hears
Henze Vanvun, a group singing practised by Kashmiri Pandits in marriages
and Yageopavit( sacred thread ) ceremonies and linked to Sama Vedic
chants. We are shown Pandit Ved Lal Dhar Vakil, Jagan Nath Shivpuri, Mohammad
Abdullah Tibetbaqal, singing in the Darbaar of Bhagwan Gopinath who
himself was a connoisseur of Hindustani classical and Kashmiri Sufiana music
rendered with soothing beats of Santoor. Kudos to Pran Kishore Kaul for
bringing Santoor maestro Abhay Rustom Sopori for the background music.
Pran Kishore Kaul has also brought in Kishen Ji Langoo, his old associate
at Pragaash Productions ( a production company of Pran Kishore Kaul
) to score music of Leelas and devotional songs for the film. The orchestration
by Saurabh Zadoo, Raja Bilal, Waheed Jheelani and Dilip Langoo was at Pran
Kishore Kaul’s specific request. Dilip Langoo has also contributed as an actor.
The cinematography by Avinash Satoskar is equally superb. Arun Mavanoor as
co-director of the project has also brought some of the latest techniques into the
project. Vir Ji Sumbli as art director and actor needs appreciation.
The film was premiered and released on 8th March 2025 by Bhagwan Gopinath Trust at the Abhinav Theatre Jammu with Shri Atal Dulloo IAS, Chief Secretary J&K UT being the Chief Guest of the event. It is currently being shown in some cinema halls in Jammu. Tickets are available at Bhagwan Gopinath Trust, Udhaywala, Jammu. Watch this labour of love on a bigger screen to have some unforgettable cinemascope feel and satisfaction. We are informed that Kashmiri version of the biopic is also ready. Many many more creative years to Pran Kishore Kaul. He has done something impossible at his age.
(
Avtar Mota )
THE BRIGHT STARS OF THE FOGGY NIGHTS
(Stories from Kashmir)
By Avtar Mota
Published in February 2025
Price Rs460/=
Available on Amazon in India and
worldwide
https://notionpress.com/in/read/the-bright-stars-of-the-foggy-nights
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0DXV9SRK5
Avtar Mota hardly needs any introduction. A Kashmiri to the
core, he has chosen to write in English the stories of Kashmir that bring alive
men, matters and musings from the social life of the 1800s and 1900s . With 9 books and more than 250 articles on
art and culture of Kashmir published in national and international newspapers, Journals
and magazines, Avtar, Mota is the recipient of the SaMaPa Award 2022 and the Harmony India
Award 2024. Parvez Dewan (IAS), author and former Tourism Secretary (Government
of India), calls Avtar Mota,’ The
foremost chronicler of the social history of Kashmir’. Journalist Arthur
Joe writes this about Mota’s work:-
“Through his stories, Mota presents something that evokes
nostalgia and compassion.In every story, Mota is with you both as narrator and
spectator. He enthuses, informs, and clarifies as he makes you read his
stories. He makes you to travel with him and become a part of his interesting
coverage.”
This is Mota’s ninth book that has twenty-one stories about
some men who exhibited brightness during nights that were unfortunately foggy
and dark. They remained unnoticed and unseen. Mota opens a wide panorama of
social life of Kashmir which covers everything that one needs to know about the
troubled land. This time Mota includes some bright stars from Jammu like Santokh Singh (
commercial painter ), Vidhya Rattan Khajuria ( sculptor ) , Susham Sharma (
theatre artist ) , Dr Ved Kumari Ghai ( scholar ) and Vijay Suri ( actor and
writer ). From Kashmir he gives you gripping anecdotes about men like Vasudev
Reh ( poet ), Makhan Lal Mahav ( humour poet ), T K Jalali ( vocalist and
composer ), Akhtar Mohiuddin ( writer ), Hari Kashmiri ( film actor and
producer ), Som Nath Zutshi ( short story writer ), Prof Jay Lal Kaul ( scholar
), Prof T N Ganju ( scholar , linguist and astrologer ), Jagan Nath Saqi
(radio artist ). Noor Mohammad Kitab
(bookseller and publisher), Pran Nath Butt (unknown artist) and Farooq Nazki (poet
broadcaster). The most interesting person covered in this book happens to be
nationalist and freedom fighter Dr Saifuddin Kichloo, who chose to stay in India
opposing the Two Nation theory. Mota reveals the humanism and compassion of
Kichloo in surrendering his mansion in Amritsar to some Hindu refugee from
Pakistan while personally moving to Delhi. We are told that Kichloo, the hero
of Jalianwala Bagh, has been the real and unsung architect of the Indo-Soviet Treaty, who was granted the Order of Lenin by the Russians.
For the quality of his social life stories, some of Mota’s essays
have been translated into Bangla and French and published in journals. Many
copy-paste writers have also resorted to thieving these stories for cheap
popularity. Most of the stories in this book are based on one-to-one interviews
with the persons covered or with their family members. The reader becomes privy to some unknown and
interesting facets from the personal life of the characters that Mota explores
with skill and truthfulness. For instance, Mota informs that commercial painter
Santokh Singh has donated about 18 Kanals of prime land in Jammu city for a
cremation ground. About poet Vasudev Reh, Mota writes,” It was possibly 1975
or 1976, a Mushiara was held at Vishwa Bharati College, Rainawari. Dina Nath
Nadim, Rehman Rahi, Ghulam Nabi Firaq, Vasudev Reh, Radhe Nath Masarat and many
more poets attended this Mushiara. I saw Nadim (who presided over the event)
telling the audience that two more Nadims are in the poetic field today. One is
from Maraaz (South) and the other is from Kamraaz (North) of Kashmir. He meant
Radhey Nath Masarat and Vasudev Reh.” Mota calls Vidya Ratan Khajuria as a
pioneer of sculpture in the J&K. We are informed about the beautiful landscapes
of Kashmir done by Khajuria, a place that he loved intensely. We are informed
that Susham Sharma was the most talented theatre artist of the state who
received thunderous applause and standing ovation as she performed solo in Ved
Rahi’s well-known Dogri play “Aale” for the “PANJ PAANI THEATRE
FESTIVAL“ at Lahore. The audience included many
Dogri speaking elders who had migrated to Pakistan from Mast Garh, Sarajaan Di
Dakki and other localities of Jammu city. Mota interviewed Susham Sharma before
her death. The book informs about the ‘Art of Exile’ being created by Bhushen
Kaul through his ‘The Studio of Exile’. From this studio emerged a series of
paintings that were named, “ Rangoon Death“, ”Cry “, “Exodus “ and ”One Of
These Days, Sky Will Break “. We also come to know the amazing contribution of
Pandit T K Jalali as composer and vocalist who trained more than one hundred
aspiring students. The book tells us about immense social service performed
with compassion and sincerity by Dr Girja Dhar and her husband Dr Naseer
Ahmed Shah.The book informs that in
Kashmiri literature, one finds an acute shortage of novels. However, this area
achieved a breakthrough after Chaman Lal
Hakhoo came up with his 700-page Kashmir novel titled,’ Wasturvanuk Seh’ or
‘The Lion of Wasturvan’. We are also informed about the Hakhoo’s contribution
in many areas. The book conveys some sincere feelings of Akhtar Mohiuddin who told
this to Mota before 1990, “How can I repay the debt to Som Nath Zutshi’s
wife, a goddess and for me, a real sister in need? Do you know she
single-handedly did all the post-delivery care of my wife once? Do you
understand the word 'Phott' in Kashmiri? It means post-delivery care. Where in
this life can this debt be repaid?”
The stories about Hari Kashmiri in
Bollywood, Noor Mohammad Kitab known as Munshi Kewal Kishore of Kashmir are
inspiring and attention-grabbing. Many interesting aspects of the scholarly
personality of Prof Jay Lal Kaul, Dr Ved Kumari Ghai and Prof T N Ganju find
mention in the book. The book reveals the interesting anecdotes from the life
of Jagan Nath Saqi, a well-known radio and theatre artist from Kashmir.Saqi was
nicknamed 'Raasa-kath( dancing lamb) ' and 'Jaga Angrez' by Kashmiris for his
humour and style. Farooq Nazki finds special mention in the book. We are
informed that Nazki would secretly visit Bhagwan Gopi Nath Ji’s Ashram in
Udhaywala in Jammu. Nazki’s feelings for the exiled Kashmiri Pandits as mentioned by him in his poetic collection
‘Naar Hyotun Kazalvanas ‘ also find detailed mention in the book.I conclude
with what Nazki writes:-
“Mushuk valith aav vaav sontuk,
Dichin bashaarat.
Yimav qadam kaed garav nebar,
Tim na aayee pheerith,
Na Tchhandi sontan
...”……………..( Farooq Nazki )
(Bathed in perfume,
the spring has once again come this way,
bringing some good news.
Alas! Those who stepped out of
their homes, did neither return?
Nor did this spring seek their whereabouts.)
The book is a treasure and I
recommend this treasure trove to all.
( Indu Bhushan Zutshi )
PS
And Parvez Dewan IAS writes this about the book :-
"We are fortunate to have among us a researcher as intrepid and a raconteur as lucid as Avtar Mota to record and retell the history (stories, actually) of Kashmir in the 1800s and 1900s. This is the third successive volume that I'm aware of in which he dedicates a chapter each to some of the talented (and interesting) individuals of that era. They are mostly Kashmiri Pandits, but also some Muslims and Jammuites. I had not heard of most of them, but he has written so interestingly about each that they come to life in the pages of this lively book—indeed, series of books. The printed price ₹460 is low enough but I am sure that on Amazon you will get it even cheaper."