There are very less number of people who come in our lives and leave profound footprints that remain for a very long. It is true that this materialistic world has seen less number of great folks whose death has been mourned and lamented for years rather centuries. As someone truly said “Live a life with soberness, after your death people would mourn you.” Muhammad Ahsan Ahsan was really one among them. He was the man of unique stature and character. One of the noted poet and scholar Moti Lal Saaqi wrote in his book ( Gaashir Manaar) that there are angels live on sky, though I haven’t seen them but on earth I have seen a living angel in the shape of Muhammad Ahsan Ahsan.
Muhammad Ahsan Ahsan was a great and renowned poet, well known scholar and a famous literary figure. There are many other towering personalities of Kashmiri literature and language who devoted their whole life for the sustainability of Kashmiri language and literature. Burnt their mid-night oil to lead Kashmiri language towards new horizons and parallels and Muhammad Ahsan Ahsan was one among them. Doubtless, it is because of these great personalities the Kashmiri art, literature and language is known to many across the cosmos.
Muhammad Ahsan Ahsan, hailed from Hajin town. The town is known as town of saints, scholars , philosophers and poets. After a brief illness, Muhammad Ahsan Ahsan left this world on 13, September 2017. He was known for his writings and research generally in Kashmiri language. He is known as the founding member of cultural and literary organisations of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and from he himself served at many posts. He served as the secretary finance and Controller Examination Adbi Markaz Kamraz, President of Halqai Adab Sonawari. He was also the core member of Awkaaf Committe Hajin and the patron of Mohi- ud-din Hajini Memorial Public School Hajin. Ahsan Sahab, lived a life of great value and high stature. He was known for his soft and lovable language.
Muhammad Ahsan Ahsan was not only a renowned Kashmiri poet and researcher but he was also a noble and kindhearted soul who always encouraged and guided the youngsters. He was inspiration to many young poets and scholars of Kashmiri language and literature. I remember, during last Ramdhan when I went to enquire about the health of Muhammad Ahsan Ahsan at his residence, during my long conversation with him and his brother Abdul Ahad Hajini, he told me about his hardships and other struggles faced in his life. He also told me how he used to go to school by foot and praised the modern technology that has reduced the distance and the time of an individual. When I asked him about his writing, he laughed and said, “unfortunately my illness dried the ink of my pen.”
We talked about many things, his life, writings and the days in M.D Hajini Memorial Public School Hajin where he served as a patron for years and myself as student. I would say it was a great privilege to meet such a legendary and towering poet of the Kashmiri language who in-spite of his health condition was still scanning the pages of a book which indicated his deep love and respect towards the Kashmiri literature and language.
Honestly, I observed Ahsan Sahab, a good human being of high character and a beacon for the next generations. In his death, we collectively lost a great Kashmiri poet, researcher and a nice human being. One could argue that the Kashmiri literature has lost one of the richest and finest voices and that too at a time when the language is touching new skies and developments.
As Sagar Kashmiri said:
Tyuth Sa’da Manush Yas Nah Dekas Dreh Na dilas daag,
Poz Ilm- o- adbuk Aaftaba Ous Ahsan Saeb.
Muhammad Ahsan Ahsan has been a source of inspiration and a person of inexhaustible knowledge and depth. He is also known for his simplicity and all time eloquent and humorous conversations with others. Everyone was same before his eyes, there was no gap between a rich and a poor. He was an ardent lover of natural beauty and village food. Undoubtedly, he was a man of good ideas and convictions with solid character and humility. He was the man who had played such a mammoth role in the history of Kashmiri language and literature that will guide and inspire others for centuries.
I believe the biggest tribute to this great poet and researcher of Kashmiri language and literature would be to publish small booklets, hold separate conferences and seminars in his name at different national and international cultural festivals so that his contributions to Kashmiri language and literature would be remembered for ages.
Legends never die, so Muhammad Ahsan Ahsan will always be remembered. He undoubtedly was a legend as Dr Reyaz ul Hassan sums up:
Aakh Anjaman, Aakh kaarvan, Aakh Baab Ous
Alim Wa Adbuk Baakhuda Aftaab Ous
Ahsanas Yeam Khonah Sagnow Lolah Baag
Poshe Chamna Pew Harith Shadaab OOus.
Javeed Bin Nabi is Studying at IUST, Awantipora and can be reached at javeednabi99@gmail.com
