By Mushtaque B Barq
A Tribute to Professor Mohi-ud-din Hajini
Life is a saga written on running water. The writers and the Bards of repute throughout their literary career have tried to carry home a handful of it for a purpose: To mark the skin of time which in reciprocity carve out a niche to conquer the hearts of general gender. For some sensitive souls, this water serves their inkpot like the dew on petals to inspire the birds; likewise, a legend pierces the nib of his pen into the specific veins of the masses to gain access into the minds of the generations to come. One such legend is G.N. Gouhar. I confess on the outset, and my confession is both, a depiction of my ignorance and a mark of respect within my capabilities if at all I have. Paying tribute to such renowned authors by an ordinary mortal like me must be for all practical purposes dealt as a token of admiration for the authors.
Professor Mohi-ud- Din Hajini was born in 1917 at Hajan, did his matriculation from a local school in Sopore. A born rebellion, a genius translator, first Kashmir dramatist, a straight-forward man and an educationist, he served Wales Degree College at Jammu as Lecturer and in 1977 and S P College till his retirement in 1972. His detention in 1948 and 1965 brought best out of him as a writer. His style of writing is unique, his texture and technique are aided with apt metaphoric melody.
His Griesti Sund Ghari has pushed open the windows of resistance literature in Kashmir. This masterpiece is doubly famous for a few reasons: on that Prof. Hajini adopted the Shakespearean style in Kashmir and second his accuracy in maintaining the plot. His quest of experiencing the first-hand information is well marked in a kind of a travelogue (Gaman Manz Pheri Pheri) is based on an exceptional theme i.e. to peep down the depths of the village life. This travelogue is a journey through the intricate lanes of the rural community, its culture and social order. His critical essays Maqalat has won him Sahatiya Academy Award in 1970. He has in his credit the translation work of Alif Laila into Kashmiri in 1967 and Folklore in 1970 as his major literary contributions. His anthology of Kashmiri Poetry Kaeshir Shairi, research papers, his discovery of Dastan Akanandun by Ramzan Bhat of Ganistan, his translation of the Musaddas of Hali, his contribution in enriching Kashmiri Dictionary by replacing Sanskrit words with apt Kashmiri equivalents, his role in establishing Adbi Markaz Kamraz, his research papers on Biological science and the Quran and his political voice, his Koshur Reader in 1954 for Directorate of School Education encouraged the authorities to include the Kashmiri language at the school level, his monograph on Wahab Paray in 1959, his Kashiri Nasrach Kitab in 1961, his role in framing Halqae-e- Adab Hajini Sonawari, his struggle to establish Department of Kashmiri at University of Kashmir and Cultural Academy and many such involvements are enough to raise his towering image to the horizons, to infuse a verve among the young aspirants and literary lovers.
In one of the monologues, Hajini sahib has ripped open his intricate thought which has had relevance to date. His vision and versatility, his in-depth study of Aristotle, Freud and Islamic History, mysticism and theology is properly marked in his literary works, it also appears that Karl Marx is running parallel to his revolutionary traits. Hajini sahib will remain to knock at our traditional doors which we have left unattended for constitute an integral part of this rate race. Paying tribute to this revolutionary is to take Kashmiri Literature to the next level where our own narrative and tales, where our own metaphor and metanarrative will spread its wings at its fullest to inspire the budding artists and lovers of literature to carry on his mission.
Markez-e-Adab Wa Saqafat, Charari Sharief on his death anniversary conducted an online seminar on 22nd June, 2020 in which eminent scholars of Jammu and Kashmir paid tributes to Prof. Hajini. Deliberating upon the occasion the celebrated scholars like Dr. Sohan Lal Koul, President of the Markez –e- Adab Wa Saqafat Charari Shrief Dr. Gazanffar Ali Gazal and Inayat Gul , Rahim Rehbar, Manshoor Banihali, Rashid Jowhar, Mushtaq Mehram, Gh. Rasool Sadoor rich tributes to the legend.
A Tribute to G.N.Gouhar
Born on August 26, 1934, the author emerged as a jewel in the crown of Kashmir. The love for the Persian language landed him at Aligarh Muslim University where he completed his Masters in 1957, but like a multidimensional character, he affected his limbs all over and in the same year completed his LLB followed by KCS in 1963. In the legal attire, he best fashioned himself as Defense Counsel for many cases. He joined the Srinagar Bar in 1957 and as Munsif Magistrate, Ist Class in 1963 and retired in 1980 from the rank of Session judge. And in the cloak of saints, Gouhar presented praise worth literary works. His first novel Mujrim was followed by other illustrious literary works like Meoul and Paap te Punye, Reshi Movement in Kashmir including volumes on Nund Reshi published by Sahitya Academy. The salient trait of his narrative is the richness of connotative magnitude embedded in the history of Kashmir. His meta-narrative in Argi Ashud and Gilveth Kath in the fictional façade carts a severe factual and confirmed firsthand detail of the author as a trustworthy witness. Like his prose writing, his poetry is enriched with apt metaphors and subtle diction, may it be Ghazals, Naat i kalam and other forms and in public domain his verses shall remain reverberating in the recesses of everyone in all situations. A long list of his literary contribution can provide the best chance for us to dive into the sea of the scholar to explore his political narrative aided with satire and lament.
Kya Kya Wanie Ae Dost Tche
Kam Kam Sitam Mashrav Mein
His contribution through rigorous and sincere research has unraveled the mystery of Sheikh Ul- Alam by establishing a link between the saint’s authentic poetic brilliance and his sainthood. Markez-e-Adab Wa Saqafat, Charari Sharief on his 2nd death anniversary conducted an interactive National seminar on 19th June, 2020 in which eminent scholars of Jammu and Kashmir, other parts of India and USA took part. Deliberating upon the occasion distinguished literary giants like Dr. Aziz Hajni, Prof. Mohammad Zaman Azurda, Prof. Bashir Bashur, Prof. Shad Ramzan, Prof. Tariq Fayaz, Ghulam Nabi Aatish, Dr. Sohan Lal Koul and the President of the Markez –e- Adab Wa Saqafat Charari Shrief Dr. Gazanffar Ali Gazal and Inayat Gul and G Adfar paid rich tributes to the legend.
Mushtaq B.Barq is a Columnist, Poet and Fiction Writer. He is the author of “Feeble prisoner, “ Wings of Love” and many translation works are credited to the author like “ Verses Of Wahab Khar” and “ Songs Of Sochkral”
