Tse Saa’nei Aangaenn Mo Pukh Vaanieyo
Aetchh Maa Gatchhanaai Geero Lo …..
Jaan Vandhyo Haa Ba Paan Vandhyo
Zuvv Tai Jaan Vandhaai Myaanie Peero lo..
( Rahim S’aab Sopore )
My english rendering of the above lines would be …
“O Merchant of Of cheerfulness ,
What gain lies in Visiting this ill fated courtyard of ours ?
Why put your eyes to strain and unhappiness ?
And this life for you ,
This body for you ,
This Body and this soul for you My master !”
This happens to be the most popular sufi composition sung in Mehfils all over Kashmir. This also happens to be the most moving song that is generally sung in Mehndiraat functions by kashmiris across the religious divide . The heartfelt thankfulness conveyed through the verse above is coupled with a deep feeling of total surrender and submission. Surrender and submission in Love . Surrender and submission to the master / Guru by his Pupil / follower . Who can stop his tears ? I have seen illiterate and educated women moistening their eyes on these lines. I am privy to many such instances especially when late Ghulam Hassan Sofi would sing this composition in any gathering . None other than Rahim Saa’b Sopori could compose it.
Some other compositions of this Sufi Poet that became popular with kashmiris are ..
“Saa’ta Akki Tuss Ta Me Guvv Kunuyee Aan
Ta’na Chhuss Zuv Ta Jaan Tuss Vandhaani “
“ On an auspicious day , common became our honor,
Since then I hold this body and soul for him alone “
“ Chashmaa Lo’ssum Vuchhaan Va’taai
Iyumm Na’taai Maarus Paan ..”
“These eyes are weary now in his wait ,
Here I Kill Myself ,
should he not turn up.”
“Bahaar aav Gul Phae’l Ranga Rung
Rangaa Rung Paan Chhuyii Be- Rang”
“ Spring has arrived and Colourful flowers bloom ,
With Cololurs all around , this individual lies colourless .”
” Pyaal Tchaavithh Maala Maalo
Chhavaa’raavithh Ha Kalwaalo “
“ O Saqi ! offering cupfuls of your wine ,
You made us drunk and heady “
” Sondar maal Gaejjisso Tchaaney Maaye
Lagayo Tchhaye ha madano “
“ In your love , Look how this gorgeous girl perishes ,
O Love ! I die for your shadows even .”
“Ya’naa Goa’mm Neerithh Ta’naa naai aam
Vessiye Zaanh Naai Taman’aa Draam “
“Never did he turn up ,once he moved away,
Friend ! The desire within remained unfulfilled . “
Sopore Rahimun Vaen Ashiq’a Graavo
Ti Na Kaaensi Vaenni Aavo Lo
( These verses composed by “ Rahim of sopore” are just grievances in Love
Alas ! None understood them in that way )
So many songs , So Many compostions. All intense in feeling and content . Songs of love brimming with a deep feeling of faithfulness and attachment . Shastra , Shaivism and Verses in intense devotion to Prophet ( PBUH ) . Very little is written about him.He has almost been forgotten by kashmiris . Except Amin Kaamil, Mohd Ahsaan and Moti Lal Saqi , I do not know whether any other person has done some serious research on this Mystic sufi poet . Some say Adabi Markaz Kaamraaz has also published a booklet on him . I do not know. I have not seen it.
Was he a Cowherd ( Wagay in kashmiri ) as is generally mentioned about him. ? Where from did he get the knowledge of so many subjects that he touches and so many symbols of Hindus that he brings into his compositions . He uses words like ‘ OMKAAR “, ‘PRAN ‘, ‘SHIVA ‘ ,’ PAAP’, ‘ PUNYAA’,’ PAVAN ‘, ‘GAGAN ‘ ‘ GYAAN ‘ and many more .
According to Late Moti Lal Saqi ,
“ From Perusal of his poetry , It appears that Rahim sahib has been closely connected with educated kashmiri Pandits . It is also apprent that he was in a profession where he could interact with educated and literate people . Accordingly I have a lurking doubt about his being a Cowherd .”
He is believed to have lived in Telvani Mohalla sopore . A school of thought believes that he was a weaver by profession and not a Cowherd as is generally believed . Influence of Lal Ded and Sheilkh Nur Ud din or Nund Ryosh on his thought is eveident.
For sure he belonged to Qadiri silsila of sufi s as he himself reveals in a composition…
“ Rahimuss silsile Qaadiri Chhu Dha’r Haq ,
Valllah Ta Billah Chhuna Kaanh Shaq “
It is also believed that sometime around his middle age , he fractured his leg .Due to inadequate medical attention at that time , this problem persisted after he sought treatment from quacks . Troubled by pain , he would limp while walking . For this reason , he came to stay with his daughter in sopore town . Some people also believe that he was Nicknamed as SHAAH.
Unfortunately , this grand poet has been summarily dealt by most of the authors who have compiled history of kashmiri sufi poets or sufi poetry of kashmir. He lies buried at Aarampora in sopore.
Taenni gomaai RABAAB,
Ragan gaiyumm Taaraai,
Zeer o Bum thhov- thumm Cheero Lo…
Jaan Vandayo,
Haa Ba paan Vandayo,
Zuvv tai Jaan vandaai
Myaani peero lo..
(Rahim Saa’b Sopore)
My English rendering would be…
“In this love,
This body has turned to be a RABAAB
And these veins like taut strings.
Now Master ,
Play your notes
High and low..
This life for you,
This body for you,
This life and soul for you my Master….”
Autar Mota is a translator and writes in English , Urdu , Kashmiri and Hindi. His write-ups have appeared in many national magazines and journals.
