By Rajan Nakhasi
A proud Rainawarian, Brij Kishori fondly called as Jijee was born on the First day of Hindu calendar – Navreh to Smt. Sham Rani and Sh. Janki Nath Nakhasi as their second child. Jijee was always a bright child both at home as well as school. She would also help her mother at home.
Death snatched her from us a few days back. But then this is the law of Nature. We all know that death is a golden gate through which everyone has to pass. So did she pass through it to reach her new abode in the heaven.
Do you know you will die one day? Oh, I bless you with a long life, but anyway, you will die one day. We cannot be sure about other things in life, but this one thing is guaranteed in your life, you will go straight to your grave and this is the biggest Truth of life. (Sadhguru in his book – Death an inside story).
The truth of the most High (The Master) is beyond any doubt or suspicion. The truth remains that there is a Master who has created this Universe which has the earth and the Galaxy inside it. The Earth as we know has much more than we know hidden inside its womb. The riches, wealth, the water and much more which are the requirements of the mankind.
The human being was crafted and created by the Master and who has been given a mind and a heart, which helps him to think and be emotional. The creativity, learning and teaching comes from the human mind. It can think positive and negative at the same time. It has the power to create. All the powers to the human beings have been bestowed by the Master.
We believe in Karma and it says – the sum of a person’s good or bad actions in this and previous state of existence are viewed as affecting the future. It is said that, as we sow, so, shall we reap. In this life we see good and bad. It is the outcome of the deeds and actions we do in our daily lives. We need to be cautious before we do anything. (Rajan Nakhasi in his book – Voice of the Vision).
During her youth, one day, when Jijee was returning from University, where she was studying, a Malang (a kind of recluse, who lives a life away from other people and society and is considered one with God) named Moeme Takke or Takke moth offered her a piece of bread which he was about it. She was afraid to take it from him. Most of the Rainawarians might know him. On the interference and pursuance of a local shopkeeper( Naebe Bakhoor), she accepted the bread and rushed home. She might have told the whole story to her mother and siblings, but none understood. In the evening when Babuji (her father) returned home, she told him about the incident. He was a divine soul and could understand everything. He told her that something good was to happen very soon.
The next day, three letter addressed to her were delivered at our residence. Surprisingly, all three letters were the appointment orders from three different government departments. After the discussions at home about all the three departments, she joined AG’s Office located in Srinagar.
She excelled in her professional life also. She was the first unmarried girl to qualify her departmental examination to be promoted to the senior rank, where she always worked with dignity and pride. She helped everyone who came to her for some or the other work.
She was always attracted towards the stage and theatre and to work in theatre was her passion and she pursued it. For a long time she was a part of Rang Manch theatre. She was also an auditioned actor in Radio Kashmir, Srinagar. She was in fact was the only female artist to have reached A+ category. Her voice was so melodious that it can hardly be forgotten especially by those who have heard her on radio. Everyone in the theatre, radio or the television called her “DIDI”.
Those days in Rainawari, we at home were glued around the radio set in the evening for the drama to start on radio. We would enjoy every drama on radio especially if she would be a part of. It was necessary to hear the name of the artists in the end because her name would be announced.
A little before the migration, she played the role of “Benetaeth” in the tele serial “Imandaar” on television. Rev, Pran Kishore ji, Bashir Dada Sb and Ayash Arif ji were also a part of the show. She was a versatile actor. Her voice was melodious. She even excelled in this field also.
Her confidence was always high and it has paid her well in life. Whatever she did in life, she did it with utmost confidence. Respected Pran Kishore ji in his book has termed Brij Kishori as A tigress of an actor.
She was sober and friendly by nature. She behaved differently with different age groups. With the children she behaved like them and with her age groups, she was a friend and with the older she was their dearest. This wasn’t only with the outside world, but she was the same with her relations also. She like other siblings was taught how to take care of curricular at home. She had golden hands and cooked delicious. She had command over the language. Whenever I wrote anything, I would send it to her. She would send it back after due corrections.
At home, she was a disciplinarian. Since I was the youngest in the family, so I was the most affected. After she got married to Dr. Upinder Kr. Zutshi in 1975, whenever she visited us in Rainawari, I again was the most affected. With the passage of time, things changed to some extent. With my other siblings, I would speak freely but with her I always hesitated.
Our relationship changed completely after migration. We all got busy in our everyday problems. We would hardly get time to meet each other. Meetings would happen very rare.
She was very active on the social front. After her retirement, she kept herself busy with the social activities. She took to teaching the slum children free of cost. Instead she would spend out of her pocket to take care of their small needs. She kept herself attached to theatre till her last.
Her theatre group DABB organized a play called “Tchete bhete lutth baab”. They did shows in NCR and many parts of India.
Before the publication of my first book, I had the chance to be with her for some days as we together edited the book before finally sending it for publication. She was more than happy for me especially after the second book was launched. She always filled the vacant place of my mother. She will always remain my mother like sister.
From the moment she left her body, everyone who knew her across globe, has been talking high about her, and she deserves it as karma is paying her back. The best part of one self is that when people write golden words for the deceased. It shows the love and respect by the people for her.
I still can’t believe that she is no more with us. May she remain there where she is forever with the God, amongst angels, showering her blessings upon all of us.
I would conclude with the following:
I cried when you passed away, I still cry today.
To lose you was a bitter wrench, the pain cut to my core.
I cried until my tears ran out and them I cried some more.
Although I loved you dearly, I couldn’t make you stay.
Your golden heart stopped beating, and hardworking hands at rest.
God broke my heart to prove to me that He only takes the best.
I know I can’t be with you now and you can’t be with me.
But safe inside my heart you will stay,
That is where you will always be.
Love you, Jijee.
To define you, I would actually need a book to write, but this is a tribute to you from your son like brother. God bless your soul.Besides me- you will always missed by Jia, Sheetu, Anubhav and Upinder, by lali, Kaki, Rama and Inder and all the children whom you loved. You will also be missed by the Theatre fraternity and your friends and all those who somehow knew you.
Rest in peace.
The author ( Rajan Nakhasi) is an ex Government Official worked at Defence Headquarters. He is a social activist, a writer and an author. His publications are Life beyond the black night (2021) and voice of the Vision (2024). He is born and brought up in Rainawari, Srinagar and presently lives in Delhi.
