Roots and Reflections - Exploring Ideas, Experiences and Wisdom

                        (Photo Source: Internet) Early Life and childhood days: The ‘He Man of Cinema’, commonly referred to Dharmendra who passed away after a brief illness at the age of 89 years leaving behind a big legacy for Indian cinema and the nation. The, legendry actor Dharmendra who is called the "He -Man of cinema’’ or ‘’Bollywood’s He-Man’’ for his action-hero image and his career in Indian cinema. The Indian actor, producer, and politician was known for his versatility, starring in over 300 films across a six -decade career. He was celebrated for combining a strong on-screen persona with a romantic and comedic flair. Born Dharmendra Krishen Deol in India’s northern state of Punjab in 1935, he grew up in a farming family and moved to Mumbai in the late 1950’s, making his Bollywood debut  in 1960. Over a career spanning six decades ,he acted in more than 300 films. In 2012, Dharmendra was awarded the Padma Bhush...

The Uma Bhagwati Temple, located in Brariangan - also known as Uma Nagri - in the Anantnag district of South Kashmir, is one of the oldest and most respected Hindu temples in the region. For hundreds of years, it has continued to be not only a temple but also a place of profound spiritual energy for Kashmiri Pandits, who regard it as a kind of Siddh Peeth, as described in local tradition. The temple's location is significant, with five natural springs nearby that each enhance the experience of the architecture and beauty of the landscape. The springs coalesce into one stream, and the integrity and quality of this water give the temple, and the entire area, a sense of timelessness and purity, making it an attractive place for devotees, saints, and others seeking spiritual solace. The shrine claims its uniqueness and depth of spirit from the five sacred springs: Brahma Kund, Vishnu Kund, Rudhra Kund, and Shiv Shakti Kund, as well as a fifth spring whose name has been lost in time but...

                      (Image Source: Internet) Uday Bhanu Hans is one of the most venerated literary stalwarts of Haryana, signified for his profound patriotism, humanistic perspective and monumental contributionIn also recalling Uday Bhanu Hans, we again recall not just a great poet, but more fundamentally a great human being, one who believed in the goodness of human beings, and the power that words have to help make the world a better place. His poetry remains a treasured part of Hindi Literature and a continuing monument of Haryana’s cultural pride. Through the inspiring vision of his poetry, he taught generations to live dignified lives, love their land, and serve humanity with humility and bravery. His name will continue to shine as bright as any name in the literary history of India, as the poet who turned his patriotism into poetry and poetry into the mission of life. nationalist sentiment characterizing India at the turn o...

Professor Hamidi Kashmiri is recognized as one of the leading scholars, poets, and critics of Urdu literature and Kashmiri literature. He hailed from Bohri Kadal in Srinagar, where he was born in the year 1932 and his story from an eager student to a towering figure in literature is one of sincerity, intelligence and commitment to literature. After getting his initial education in S.P. College, Srinagar, he passionately pursued higher education. He completed his M.A. in Urdu in 1958 from Punjab University and went on to complete a Ph.D. in Urdu with a remarkable dissertation titled "Jadeed Urdu Nazm aur Europee Asraat," which was about modern Urdu poetry and European influences. This monumental research became published later on and was celebrated for its originality and depth. A Distinguished Academic and Cultural Visionary Professor Hamidi's illustrious career commenced with S.P. College, followed by his appointment as Assistant Secretary at the Jammu & Kashmir Acad...

Early Life and Childhood days:- Zinda Kaul, a prominent literary figure in Kashmiri literature, is lovingly referred to as "Masterji" by both students and friends. He was born in August 1884 in Habbakadal, a neighborhood in Srinagar, with a Kashmiri Pandit background and a difficult childhood. His father, Lakshman Pandit, seemed indifferent to Kaul's schooling, so he self-educated out of sheer will. The struggles he faced as a young man deepened Kaul's commitment to self-education and expressing his thoughts through language and poetry. Kaul's first profession was a school teacher, where he earned the respect and admiration of his students, who fondly referred to him as "Masterji," a name that stayed with him throughout his life. Kaul's years of teaching were formative in developing his character and literary sensibility. He was remarkably connected to his students, and he had a rare insight into human nature and its sentiments through his relationsh...

                      (Photo courtesy: Internet) Kundan Lal Saigal - affectionately recognized for generations as K. L. Saigal - is, without question, an everlasting name in India’s film and music history. Acknowledged as the first superstar of the Hindi film industry, K. L. Saigal, by way of life, was nothing but a combination of devotion, toil, and timeless artistry. The Jammuities felt proud that this great personality belonged to the temple city of Jammu, steeped in spirituality and tradition. While destiny later transported him to Calcutta, now Kolkata for the Indian film industry, his roots remained indelibly planted in Jammu and Kashmir's cultural soil. Born on April 11, 1904, into a Punjabi household, Kundan Lal Saigal received a unique combination of discipline and dedication from his family. His father, Amar Chand Saigal, was a Tehsildar in the court of Maharaja Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir, a position of considerable...

In the history of Jammu and Kashmir’s intellectual and scientific progress, few names command the same respect and admiration as Professor Yog Raj Malhotra. A true son of the soil, he was born in Baramulla to Janaki and Rugh Nath Malhotra, the latter serving as a distinguished officer in the Provincial Forest Services during the reign of Maharaja Hari Singh and continuing his service after independence. From these humble yet intellectually rich beginnings, Professor Malhotra’s life became a story of brilliance, leadership, and unwavering dedication to education and research that transformed the academic landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. His early education was spread across some of the finest institutions of the region. He began his schooling at Presentation Convent and Haddow Memorial School (now Tyndale Biscoe) in Srinagar, later studying at Government High School Muzaffarabad and CMS Anantnag. After matriculation, his academic journey led him to the Prince of Wales College, now known ...