Roots and Reflections - Exploring Ideas, Experiences and Wisdom

Lal Lakshman: Kashmir’s Fearless Voice of Satire Kashmir valley is considered a land rich in poetry, philosophy, spirituality, satire and the tradition of Shivaism and Sufi mysticism as well as strong poetic tradition from poets like Lal Ded and Nund Rishi.  Exempli gratia, there was Lal Lakshman, born Lakshman Razdan, a writer and poet of tremendous talent from humble beginnings. When we talk about Lal Lakshman, we are talking about a simple postman, moving from home to home, delivering letters, but became the talk of the town in Kulgam and erstwhile Anantnag district, for not what he was supposed to deliver in his bag but what he spontaneously delivered via satirical verse with his tongue. A Kashmiri Pandit, by birth, was an orthodox worshipper of Maha Ganesh whose temple at Hanand Chowalgam village, remained at the core of his existence. He was the quintessence of Kashmiri satire. It was in Lal Lakshman's modesty, simplicity and rustic sense of humor that the reader could deciph...

Introduction :  Abdul Kabir Wani was born at Village Hanad Chowalgam then Tehsil kulgam and was a great and legendary kissan leader and a progressive  political figure. He was simple and down-to-earth man and a selfless activist of Marxism.                    (Image of Abdul Kabir Wani) The Making of a Political Mentor:  In fact it was Abdul Kabir Wani who groomed Mohmed Yousf Tarigami and he grew into a many times MLA from Kulgam assembly constituency from CPI(M) ticket and had won election several times with the support of National conference - NC. Kabir Wani was not highly educated but he had got primary, middle and education up to 10th class. He was frail and weak physically but his will power and determination as a political leaders was amazing and his simplicity, hard work, honesty  is a big inspirations for many and he is even today remembered for his contribution not only to peasant movement but to the society...

                                                            (Photo of P.N Koul Sayil) A Literary Voice of Kashmir: P.N Koul Sayil was a Kashmiri poet and writer of immense repute. He has written on diverse subjects, he has created a place of pride for himself, and he has contributed a lot to Kashmiri literature. He was a humble and simple soul, and his poetry is crystal-like the water of a stream. His poetry is meaningful and pleasing to the mind, and it has a good impact upon the people. P. N. Koul Sayil was one of the rare personalities whose presence left a deep and indelible imprint on the cultural and literary landscape of Kashmir. He was very humble, humane, and simple. He had a smiling personality, and everyone approached him easily and freely; such was his personality. He was a down-to-earth man. People remember him not only for hi...

Gudar: A Scenic Village of Kulgam  Gudar village is situated in Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory in the southern part of Kashmir valley. This village has a population of about three thousand people according to 2011 census. It has an area of 334 hectares. It has a scenic beauty and good agriculture productivity. Gudar is famous for horticulture as it produces apples, Peach, walnuts in very large numbers. The river Vishaw which flows through Kulgam is the source of irrigation not only for kulgam but for Gudar village and in fact for the whole district. It is a destination for picnic and students of nearby schools go to this village for excursion as it has much natural beauty and is a quite, serene place away from mad rush, hustle and bustle of a city.                            (Image of Park) Gudar’s Natural Beauty and Connectivity: I appeal to people to visit this place in summer and autum...

                  (Image Courtesy: Internet)  A Distinguished Son of Kulgam and a Learned Family Shambu Nath Pandit was born to Aftab Pandit & Rajrani, a Kashmiri Pandit family, at Kulgam. He belonged to a well-educated family, and all his brothers were well educated. His brother, Dr. Balji Nath Pandit, was a professor of Sanskrit at Degree College Anantnag, and he was also a scholar of Kashmiri Shaivism. Another brother of Shambu Nath Pandit was a reputed professor of English, and he also served as the principal of SP College Srinagar, and he was also head of the English Department of the University of Kashmir. Shambu Nath was a BA, LLB, and he was the first lawyer of the then Kulgam Tehsil, and throughout his life when he was hale and hearty, he practiced law, first in the Munsiff Court of Kulgam and then at the Court of Sub-Judge of Kulgam.  A Pioneer Advocate and Champion of Justice Throughout his distinguished career as an ...

Arnimal: 8th Century Poetess of Kashmir Kashmir - the paradise on earth is famous for giving birth to many poets and poetesses from ancient time. One of the famous and inspiring poetess of 8th century was Arnimal. She did poetry on the tradition and style of the most famous and great poetess Habba Khatoon who is  household name in Kashmir. Arnimal was born in village Palhalan Pattan Kashmir near Srinagar. She was married at a very young age to one Munshi Bhawani Das Kachroo. Arnimal was born in 1737. She was known for her heartfelt and simple kashmiri poetry. Unfortunately her husband Munshi Bhawani Dass Kachroo abandoned her and left for the Afghan court in Kabul. All this misfortune pained and shocked Arnimal and she began to do poetry on the pangs of her separation from her husband. She expressed the pain of separation from her husband in her poetry. Theme and Contents of Arnimal's Poetry: In her poetry, she in fact expressed longing and sorrow of her separation which she could ...

                (Image courtesy: Internet) Lalleshwari: The Mystic Soul of Kashmir Jammu and Kashmir has given birth to many saints and Faquirs in ancient times or we can say that the land of Kashmir is rightly called Reshvaer or Reshi Vaer because of it being the land of saints and Godly men. She was born on 1320 and left this mortal world on 1392. Lalleshwari left her parents home at the tender age of merely 12 years and to marry a Pandit boy. Her fathers name is Chandra Ju Bhat. It was at the age of 26 years that she renounced her in-laws house and went for realising God. Folklore recalls severe mistreatment by her mother-in-law, who often placed a large stone underneath a thin layer of rice on Lal Ded’s plate to make it look like a full, heavy meal. Lal Ded bore these hardships silently and with immense patience. She had enough faith in Shiva and she meditated on Shiva. She is called by many names such as Lal Ded, Lali Arifa, Padmavathi, Lales...