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 his creative qualities but also for his warmth and sociability. In fact, he was a genius personality, and his contribution to Kashmiri language and literature is considerable, but alas, he passed away unwept and unsung, and this is very unfortunate. He was a talented personality but was not recognized in the same proportion as his writings in verse and poetry. However, he never cared for recognition and acknowledgement but carried out his mission of writing with utmost honesty and seriousness. He never cared for name and fame during his life and his creative writing. So many people were benefitted by his poetry and prose, but he remained unacknowledged, and this did not stop him from writing, and the irony is that such great poets and writers should be recognized.
A Bond Beyond Literary Mentorship:
His journey as a poet, writer, and safeguarder of the cultural legacy is very inspiring, and many of his contemporary writers and poets have been influenced by his writing and personality. The late Dina Nath Nadim was his guru, and he was influenced by his personality. His bond with his guru, Nadim Saheb, was beyond his relationship as a poet and writer; it was spiritual and emotional, guiding his creative energy and journey and shaping his worldview. Sayil Sahib always recognized and acknowledged the influence and mentorship of his guru, and he often used to say that whatever he is, it is because of Mr. Nadim Sahib. In the age where only self-promotion gets precedence over everything else, Sayil Sahib set himself apart, never asking for recognition. He lived in the ecstasy of writing and never cared for the awards and certificates of merit. His life is itself a great inspiration for the people connected with writing. He was loved by one and all, and his company was always light and inspiring. He was very affectionate and was social and humane and always liked parties and the company of others around him. One learned a lot from him without realizing that one was learning from this great poet and writer of repute.
A Magnetic Personality and Cultural Vision:
His personality was magnetic, and so writers and poets of his time and even ordinary people were attracted towards his honest and hardworking personality. He was the master of vast knowledge, and his creative instincts were sharp, and he never imposed his personality on others. He always encouraged, guided, and counselled the people who came in contact with him. He could laugh easily, share tales with a sparkle in his eyes, and with his few words open up a world of depth and meaning. One of his contributions to Kashmiri literature and culture was a project dear to his heart, and that was the Santmala album, which was composed and produced by one Saurabh Zadoo. It was not just an album as a collection of musical pieces but a heartfelt attempt to preserve and promote Kashmiri cultural expression in modern form.
Preserving Heritage Through Santmala:
It was the celebration of heritage, and Sayil Sahib took much interest and immense joy in seeing the project materialize. He talked about it with pride and wanted the younger generation to be linked with the roots while venturing into new expressions. To him, tradition and modernity were not opposites but complementary and supplementary. His Santmala received warmth, and it was successful, and then he launched his next dream, which was Ahee, a musical album dedicated to preserving Kashmiri marriage rituals and customs. He was very worried that marriage songs and rituals are fast disappearing, and he wanted the present-day society and the younger generation to remain connected with their roots and hence use old marriage songs and rituals. He took much pains to preserve age-old rituals and marriage songs and collected these into the album Ahee.
Ahee: Safeguarding Vanishing Traditions -
He lamented that our rituals and marriage songs are fast disappearing under the weight of modernity and exhorted people to embrace marriage rituals and songs so that these will not disappear from the social fabric and our society in the garb of modernity. Project Ahee brought together eminent singers like Depali Wattal, Neerja Pandit, Lovely Chandra, Sushma Kalla, and Dileep Langoo, each lending his unique talent to the cause of preserving our cultural heritage. The album Ahee would be a big gift to the community, and he expressed these views. He was much pleased, in fact overjoyed, that his dream of Project Ahee will be materialized. But alas, this great soul passed away without finally composing and completing his dream, Ahee. In short, we are inspired by his poetry and prose, and he is a torchbearer for the preservation of Kashmiri culture and literature. May his soul rest in peace.
(Vivek Koul)
Link to some older posts:
1. https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-kali-mata-mandir-in-tikri-udhampur.html
2. https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2024/12/jammu-often-referred-to-as-city-of.html
3. https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2024/12/verinag-spring-gem-in-heart-of-kashmir.html
4. https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2024/12/aharbal-waterfall-niagara-of-india.html
Hope you read and like my blog posts.
Link of Blogger Site "Chinar Shade" by Sh. Autar Mota Ji, blogger/Author/Photographer is as under:
https://autarmota.blogspot.com/?m=1
Thankyou.
Excellent work
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post.
ReplyDeleteNice
ReplyDeleteWonderful writeup. Keep shining Koul Sahab
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