MY KASHMIRI POEM ' SRINAGAR ,OUR CITY " .

                                                                           

     
PHOTO Avtar Mota 

Here is My kashmiri poem   "Srinagar, Our City. 1990  ".

(Srinagar ,Soan Shahar  ..1990)

Daaeh  Mandhinyaen Gatkaar Prabhaatus ,

Shaamun Marghatatchiy Tchheitaa Chhoppa Zun,

Paanus Paanus  Raetchh Zuvuss laej,

Boyy Na Baayiss?

Santaanuv Moshrov Bub Maejj ?

Buthh Pheerithh Neraan  Humsaaya ?

Mataa prutchhtum tim Kathha he Baaya .

Kaal Tchakher  Notch yuth Reshiwaare,

Saebhi Pyathh vaethhh  Maharaaza ta tchaeill , 

Raah-chokkun Haenz Chhokh Aaess Vattie Vattie,

Dwodh Shuer taam laeg chheipi Baalan  ,

Maajein Thovukh lalvun Naar.

Larrie Gayee Khaali,

Traaeth Peyee  shaahruss,
TAANDAV Aangan Aangan kaaluk  ,,

 Huum  Drayee  Neithhanaen  Beyi Nanavaer,

Vaethh Dazivaen Sekki Shaatun Munz ,

Soant Fulaai Haenz Aash Ti Masharaekh

Treish Na kenh,

Na Saaya kullein Hundh ,

Vaen Mata Prautchhtm Ammi Bronhkunn

Praaran Praaran Akki Akki Veiss Peyee,

Kum Taarukh Kum Gaashanhaar…

Tim Rooedh Aakhier Gari Taam Bolaan,

“ Baar Khodaaya Paap Nivaar ”

( Avtar Mota)

                                                                   

 A simple english rendering of the poem  done by me is as under ... 

 ( Srinagar,Our city  1990 )

Gloomy and dreary were the  mornings ,

Smoke billowed everywhere   during afternoons ,

And evenings were silent  and desolate like a  crematorium.

Every individual  out   to protect  himself,

Brothers turned aliens ,

Children forgot  Parents ,

Close Neighbours  turned  strangers ,

 Brother! Don’t ask me those  stories anymore.

The land of Reshis , witnessed the  unusual spin of the Kaalchakra ,

The bridegrooms got up from the marriage feasts and ran away ,

 And Outside ,The paths were full with groups of   wandering *Raah- chokks ,

Even infants were lured by  mountains and did never return,

What could    Mothers do , 

Except putting  up with this life long agony  ?

The houses  turned empty 

When the lightening struck the city .
  Death  played  its TANDAVA inside every courtyard,
 Some   ran  unclothed  and barefooted ,

Arriving in  the blazing  deserts ,

 They  lost all hopes to see the  Spring  blossoms .

No water to quench the thirst,

Not a Tree to sit under shade ,

And beyond this Don’t ask me  anymore .

In wait , many stars ,

So luminous ,

Fell to dust one after the other .

Till their last breath , they kept saying,

“O Lord ! Unburden us of our sins .”

( Avtar Mota  )

• Raah -Chokk is  used in kashmiri language as a imagined  negative character who misguides simple travelers . He waylays  them in their journey .
• “Baar Khodaaya Paap Nivaar” is a line from a shrukh of Sheikh Nur Ud Din or Nund Reshi of kashmir .First two words  ( Baar Khodaaya ) have a   Persian source and the last two ( Paap Nivaar ) come from Sanskrit. A beautiful amalgamation of Sanskrit and Persian in kashmiri language.

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Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.