Mohan Nirash ( 1934-2000 ) was a poet , Playwright , Translator and above all a gentle human being . He resided at Drabyaar Habba kadal and later later moved to Delhi where his family is settled at the moment . Nirash ji was employed in AIR ( Radio kashmir srinagar ) and was essentially a Hindi poet who started writing in his mother tongue ( kashmiri ) possibly around 1967. He was a master translator and did some excellent translations from kashmiri to Hindi as also from English ,Hindi and Sanskrit to kashmiri . He wrote kashmiri Dramas ( Ratti Daaen Posh or Bleeding Flowers ) as well. Nirash ji also translated Arthur Miller’s DEATH OF A SALES MAN to kashmiri apart from translating Galsworthy’s JUSTICE
And one day in October 2000, while going to meet Santoor Maestro Pandit Bhajan Sopory at his Lodhi Road residence , Mohan Nirash ji met with a Fatal accident . The voice turned silent but the poems that he composed created an indelible imprint on kashmiri literature.
I wanted to know about his recorded kashmiri songs and my friend Shri .Dalip Langoo ( Music composer ) added more to my knowledge and informed me as under
“ Since he was a Hindi poet I am not aware about his Koshur Qalaam but we were in Delhiworking on a project, he penned down some beautiful poems for a TV Serial .I have recorded one of his kashmiri poems and put that on my sound cloud. I do not think any of his poems in Kashmiri are at all aired on Radio Kashmir .. His Children:1. Upinder ji recently retired from Akashwani as Depuy Station Director New Delhi; 2. Late Pardyot Raina is no as he too met with a serious road accident a few years ago; 3. Neeraj ji is teacher (Art Teacher) in a Delhi’s reputed school and dear Ashutosh Raina is in a private job. Aahee!”.
Here is a portion from this lovely kashmiri song with excellent music composed by Dalip Langoo. This song was actually written for the TV serial Afsanaay e Kashmir produced by Rajesh Amrohi . This song can be heard at ….
Rueess Katchie Lokchaar Vun Kuun Trovum Yaavun Rovum Shaharitch Braaentch
Pholnaai Pamposh Kammie Putchnovum Kyaa Gudrovum Taqdeeran …….
Ronnie Daamanuss Shronnie Shronnie rovum Kyaa Gudrovum Taqdeeran
Vuzmallie seenuss Duz Duz Thhovum Kyaa Gudrovum Taqdeeran …….
( Mohan Nirash )
Like a Gazelle , I left my childhood in the forest ,
And lost my youth in this City’s temptations .
Who threw this lotus to dust before its bloom?
And see what regret my fate brought to me ?
I lost the “Chhum” “Chhum” of my dancing apparel ,
What regret my fate brought to me ?
The lightning kept kindling many a fires within my chest
What regret my fate brought to me ?
In my private collection, I have a copy of Noornama published in kashmiri by Jammu and KashmirAcademy of Art culture and Languages dedicated to ALAMDAAR e KASHMIR ( Nund Ryosh ).. This special number has also published some Shrukhs of Nirash ji . I quote ..
Ruum Gayee sheeshus Taapus gayee gatta
Akaalie samayuss Voathh Andhakaar
Paanchuv Praanuv Kraaekh Laayie Yikavatta
Baar Khodayaa Paap Nivaar …..
( Mohan Nirash )
The sun splintered and the day light turned to shadows
Untimely darkness engulfed everything .
All the **(2) five elements cried in one voice
“ O Lord ! Unburden us of these sins .”
Antaa-Karnan Andherie Peyii Traaetta
Deh zun valieni Me Aav samsaar .
***(3)Maya Zaalus Aundh katinuss Ratta
Baar Khodaaya Paap Nivaar ….
( Mohan Nirash )
As if Struck by lightning , The inner self lies battered .
And this World appears to influence this external self .
Where shall i draw a line to this *MAYA MESH ?
O Lord ! Unburden us of our sins .
Syed Zeeshan Fazil informs me about a program that Nirash Ji used to produce for Radio kashmir Srinagar ..
“Pragaash is one of his remarkable productions of Radio kashmir. He was a well read person always dedicated to his work and never believed in any groupism at his work place or outside.”
And Pragaash was the most popular and informative Program of Radio Kashmir Srinagar that was aired for about 26 Years
Poet Shantiveer Kaul ( son of Stalwart kashmiri Poet Dina Nath Naadim ) adds…
“No gentler soul than Nirashji, no unassuming one either – and as, if not more, erudite, well informed and analytically keen as any. I have memories of this soul that will last me this lifetime as a reference point of what is good and gentle.”
Hindi Poet Agni shekhar adds…..
“The greatest of great kashmiri translator, who translated nearly 400 radio plays , Gandhi Katha,Ramayana ,Vaital Pachchisi and other important literary works into Kashmiri . Besides,Mohan Nirash was a prominent hindi poet and broadcaster,efficient Interviewer.He wrote gazals in Kashmiri too. His innovative programme like ‘PRAGAASH’ was immensely popular across the length and breadth of Kashmir Valley.Mohan Nirash was a household name in Kashmir.And died in exile ”
Adds Bansi Raina..
“ Mohan Nirash lived at Dalhasanyar. Habbakadal area.A noble unassuming soul ..He was a very diligent worker. Mohan Nirash who had at ready translated Galsworthy’s JUSTICE for the Radio ..Rewrote it as a stage version at my request…He was fond of palmistry and we use to exchange ideas and view point on the subject. A man who deserved more than what he got. A great friend.”
Nirash ji always believed in the present while ensuring preservation of our language and past cultural heritage . I quote him
“While it is good to take steps for preservation of past heritage, we should not let the present slip out of our hands as our today’s achievements are going to be tomorrow’s heritage.”
Autar Mota writes in English, Urdu, Kashmiri & Hindi
