SANJAY PANDITA
In the annals of Kashmiri literature, Naseem Shafaie emerges not simply as a poet but as a powerful force—a voice woven from the very threads of her land’s history, sorrows, joys, and inextinguishable resilience. Born in 1952 in Srinagar, the heart of Kashmir, Shafaie has carved an indelible place for herself, her poetry acting as both balm and mirror for a community often overshadowed in global narratives. Through the steady, evocative cadence of her words, she has become a pioneer, the first Kashmiri woman to win the Sahitya Akademi Award, a milestone in the realm of Kashmiri letters. But more than a personal triumph, Shafaie’s achievement has been a beacon of possibility for countless others, a symbol that the voices of Kashmiri women—often confined to the margins of literary discourse—are not just worth hearing, but essential to understanding the spirit of Kashmir itself.
Shafaie’s relationship with language blossomed in her youth, nurtured by a household steeped in literature and the cultural legacies of Kashmir. Growing up amidst the backdrop of an ancient land whose beauty and sorrow are inextricable, she found refuge and expression in the power of words. Fluent in Kashmiri, Urdu, and English, Shafaie’s multilingual abilities allowed her to bridge not only personal experiences but also the collective memory and cultural nuances of her homeland. Each language she mastered became a tool, a vessel through which she could articulate the layered realities of Kashmiri life. Her academic pursuits culminated in a Master’s in Kashmiri, a path that reaffirmed her commitment to her linguistic and cultural roots. This dedication to her mother tongue elevated her poetry, as she channeled the pulse of her people into verses that echo with authenticity and unflinching truth.
Her journey from Srinagar’s serene yet fraught landscape to the esteemed halls of academia reflects a profound alignment between her personal and intellectual passions. As a professor in Jammu and Kashmir’s Higher Education Department, Shafaie’s presence was transformative, imparting not only the knowledge of language and literature but a sense of identity, pride, and belonging to young Kashmiris. Her role in academia extended beyond lectures or syllabi; she became a steward of Kashmiri heritage, instilling in her students an awareness of their cultural legacy and an obligation to carry it forward. Through her mentorship, she fostered a reverence for the Kashmiri language and empowered her students to view their heritage as both a source of pride and a vital inheritance to be protected and enriched.
Shafaie’s poetic journey found its public voice with the publication of her debut collection, Darie-Che-Muthrith, in 1999. The collection marked the arrival of a poet deeply attuned to the rhythms and experiences of Kashmiri life, a voice steeped in authenticity and unadorned honesty. The poems in Darie-Che-Muthrith are not mere aesthetic offerings; they are potent reflections of Kashmir’s unspoken griefs, its landscapes imbued with silent memories, its valleys echoing with stories untold. Through her work, Shafaie transformed the physical terrain of Kashmir into a living, breathing entity—a canvas that bears the weight of centuries yet vibrates with an undying resilience. Her imagery speaks to the primal beauty of her homeland, invoking rivers, mountains, and valleys that are at once natural wonders and silent witnesses to Kashmir’s tribulations.
Her subsequent collection, Na Thsay Na Aks, demonstrated a matured poetic vision, one that embraced both feminist and modernist sensibilities. In these verses, Shafaie’s voice soared beyond poetic lyricism, delving into the nuances of Kashmiri identity, spirituality, and the enduring power of womanhood. Her poetry became a sanctuary where Kashmiri women, often silenced by societal constraints, found representation not merely as passive symbols but as embodiments of strength, dignity, and resilience. In her words, women emerge as the silent custodians of culture and memory, bearing the scars of conflict yet moving forward with unwavering resolve. This collection cemented Shafaie’s place as a transformative force in Kashmiri literature, a poet who understood that true beauty lies in embracing both the luminous and the broken.
Her third collection, Ba Wanith Zaane Kas—translated as “To Whom Shall I Tell”—released in November by Adbi Markaz Kamraz, continues this journey of introspection and unfiltered expression. Another forthcoming work, comprising Naat and Hussaini Kalam, delves into the spiritual, blending Shafaie’s poetic prowess with her devotion, offering her readers a profound communion with faith and cultural tradition. These spiritual compositions are not merely verses of reverence but are deeply embedded in the soulful fabric of Kashmiri devotion. In them, Shafaie’s voice becomes a channel through which her readers may touch the divine, each line a thread connecting her people to their spiritual roots, a balm to the wearied souls of her readers.
Beyond her poetic achievements, Shafaie’s scholarship has left an indelible mark on Kashmir’s intellectual landscape. Her contributions to cultural discourse—particularly regarding the role and agency of Kashmiri women—have become essential to the evolving narrative of her homeland. Her research papers on women’s roles in Kashmiri society are incorporated into undergraduate curriculums, granting future generations an understanding of the resilience and strength embodied by Kashmiri women. In doing so, Shafaie has given a platform to those often left in the shadows of history, documenting their lives not as mere footnotes but as crucial chapters in the story of Kashmir. Her work affirms the vital role of Kashmiri women in the cultural and spiritual fabric of the region, offering them a space in history where they might otherwise be overlooked.
Recognition of Shafaie’s contributions to Kashmiri literature has come from numerous cultural and literary institutions. The Bakshi Memorial Award and the Kashmir Women Leadership Award by Space Communications are just a few of the accolades that honor her work. In 2008, the State Board of School Education acknowledged her role in shaping Kashmiri literature, a testament to her influence and dedication. Her presence on various advisory boards, including the Sahitya Akademi Advisory Board and the Kashmir University Board of Studies, underscores her commitment to fostering Kashmiri voices in academic discourse. Her role as a recommending member for the Sarasvati Samman Award further demonstrates her passion for elevating Kashmiri literature to a national stage, ensuring that her homeland’s stories are shared with the wider world.
Shafaie’s impact as a literary ambassador extends far beyond the boundaries of Kashmir. In 1985, she represented the Kashmiri language at the Republic Day National Poetic Symposium, her voice resonating beyond regional divides to reveal the beauty and resilience of Kashmiri verse. In 1999, her participation in a Sahitya Akademi symposium in New Delhi and her role in the “Women Writing at the End of the Millennium” conference in 2001 further solidified her status as a leading voice for Kashmiri women. Her presence at the South Asian Forum for Human Rights conference in Kathmandu, where she presented on women and peace, added a new dimension to her journey. Her poem “An Oracle,” addressing humanity’s yearning for peace, transcended cultural barriers, touching the hearts of listeners with its universal message of hope and reconciliation.
In her poetry, Shafaie commands language with an artistry that is both visceral and transcendent. Her metaphors and imagery transport readers into the heart of Kashmir, where each word pulses with the life, sorrow, and spirit of her land. Through her verses, the rivers and mountains become witnesses to both personal and collective histories, the natural world a testament to Kashmir’s resilience. Her poems are, in many ways, an epic of memory and identity, a homage to a homeland that lives not only in its people but in the contours of its valleys, the whispers of its rivers. Her work extends beyond literary achievement; it is an exploration of what it means to belong, to endure, and to find beauty amid adversity.
As a translator, Shafaie has also played an instrumental role in sharing Kashmiri literature with the world. Her translations have bridged linguistic divides, allowing non-Kashmiri speakers to engage with the poetry of her homeland. Her participation in translation workshops, including the Sahitya Akademi’s 2000 workshop at Kashmir University, where she translated Rachkonda Vishwanathan Sastry’s short story Ant, reflects her dedication to preserving and disseminating Kashmiri literary heritage.
In academic circles, her influence is enduring. The University of Kashmir has included her as a board member for Kashmiri courses, entrusting her with shaping curricula that reflect both traditional and contemporary works. Through her academic and literary pursuits, Shafaie has bequeathed to future generations a cultural legacy that is as vibrant as it is profound, a legacy that ensures the voice of Kashmir will continue to resonate in the hearts of those who cherish it.
In a world where Kashmir’s voice often goes unheard amid the clamor of conflict, Naseem Shafaie remains a steadfast beacon of creative expression and cultural pride. Her poetry transcends borders, blending tradition with modernity to offer a vision of Kashmiri identity that is both timeless and evolving. Her work has captured the essence of Kashmir in verse—the pain, the beauty, the endurance of a people who refuse to be silenced. Her legacy is one of artistic integrity, cultural reverence, and above all, an unwavering testament to the resilience of Kashmiri women and the undying spirit of her homeland.
Naseem Shafaie’s journey is far from over; as she continues to write, teach, and inspire, her voice remains a guiding light, a reminder that the essence of Kashmir—its beauty, its sorrow, and its indomitable will—lives on in every word she pens.
The writer can be reached at sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com
