Roots and Reflections - Exploring Ideas, Experiences and Wisdom

Lalitaditya Muktapida: A Glorious Epoch in Kashmir’s History Lalitaditya Muktapida (C. 724-760 CE) takes a special place in the history of Kashmir. This great ruler of the Karkota dynasty deserves his place in history for his military genius, ability to rule, patronage of the arts and architecture, and his contribution to the cultural history of ancient Kashmir. The reign of Muktapida is considered to be one of the most brilliant epochs in the history of Kashmir when the region flourished as a political, cultural and religious center. Kalhana, the famous 12th-century Kashmiri historian and author of Rajatarangini, describes Lalitaditya as a great conqueror whose ambitions knew no bounds. According to Kalhana, the king’s military campaigns knew no limits and took him beyond the borders of modern-day Kashmir. Lalitaditya faced the ruler of Kannauj, King Yashovarman, and defeated him before undertaking new campaigns in the east and south of the subcontinent. However, the great king’s fame...

       (Photo of Late Shri. Jagernath Koul) Lt. Shri Jagernath Koul: A Life Rooted in Service and Shiv Bhakti                                      Lt. Shri Jager Nath Koul is son of Late Gasha Lal Koul a respectable Kashmiri Pandit of 20th century. He was born on First April 1916 at Village Bugam  then Tehsil Kulgam District Anantnag now Tehsil Kulam, District Kulgam. Lt. Jagernath Koul is remembered as a person who combined the dignity of government service with the simplicity, humility, and spiritual inclination of a saintly  human being. His life represented  an older Kashmiri ethos in which public service was not merely  a profession but a  responsivity towards society. Born and brought up in Bugam, Kulgam, Jagernath  belonged to  a generation  that valued simplicity, honesty, punctuality, dedication to service, learning and...

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 ...