“In the world of Mystics, No place for Ignorant.
Shall I define the Mystics, those tigers carved the self.”
Niyama Sahab.
Kashmir is a treasure of Mystic Voices of Sufi Saints, as a result of which this place is called Peer Waer or Reshi Waer (Land of Sufi Saints). We have witnessed Sufi poetry or mystic poetry from every corner of the valley, irrespective of villages, towns, or cities. Most of these spiritual poets did not have formal education, but at the same time, these spiritual poets had a special, deeper knowledge of things, which can only be achieved by personal transformation. As there is a prophetic saying, “He who knows himself, knows his Lord”. This kind of knowledge cannot be found in books and cannot be taught in schools; rather, it is already present in the heart and can be gathered by purification of the soul.
Writing on this subject is not an easy thing for an author. Many types of mannerisms and due caution have to be kept in mind as this subject is to be considered the most sensitive issue. It can be a rope walk while discussing or translating the mystic voices of spiritual poets of the valley. We must appreciate the author for bringing this kind of subject before a common reader who, either because of his lack of knowledge of Sufism or because he is not familiar with Kashmiri Sufi poetry, may not be familiar with it, but the book can at least be a guide to it. Most of the readers are keen to learn about the Sufi poetry of the valley, but due to the scarcity of the material, they cannot reach these knowledge seekers. Though most of these works are in the Kashmiri language, they have not been translated yet.
The author deserves huge admiration for bringing these masterpiece translations of some of the Sufi poems by distinguished Sufi poets of the valley. By reading the translations of these Sufi poems, a reader can well understand the level of foresightedness of these Sufi poets. While reading this book, one can realise that this type of translation is not everybody’s cup of tea.
Voices of Mystic Kashmir by Mushtaque B Barq consists of poems by seven well-known Sufi poets of Kashmir, namely Mir Hassan Haseen (Mir Hassan), Niyama Sahab, Shamas Faqeer, Shah Qalander, Rahim Sahab, Rehman Dar, and Soch Kral. The author has beautifully given a brief description of each of the poets before starting the translation. The translation is so well crafted that on one hand you can find a Kashmiri poem and on the other hand you can find its translation, which adds additional weightage to the book. It is so tasteful to read this Sufi poetry with its translation as it becomes easier to understand.
The author has beautifully intertwined his vast experience in this book in order to grasp the attention of the readers. Without any exaggeration, the author has just kept the original touch of each poem as it is in the Kashmiri language, which the reader can perceive while reading this book. The author has left a few words untranslated, but they can be understood as they are. For example, “Keep on looking for Ho Ho Kar,” “Saqi is in the tavern,” “He is destined for La Makaan,” or “Do die before death, O! Dervesh.” This has given the original attire to the translation of the poems of these Sufi saints and has also kept the spirit and savour of these Sufi sayings in its ingenuity. Actually, it is very difficult, or is a herculean task, to translate the Kashmiri Sufi poems. One must have vast knowledge and understanding of Sufism, and at the same time, one should muster the courage to take this kind of responsibility on their shoulders. The author of this book has all these qualities and is continuously apprising the readers about the mystic masters of the valley and their contributions. The author deserves huge respect and a big salute for these extraneous efforts in the field of Sufism.
Perusal of this book proffers the intention of the author, who must be a savant, which is diversely accurate, as the author is an oracle on Sufism who is an eminent and acclaimed avowed Mushtaque B. Barq. Besides being a columnist, the author is also a poet, translator, and short-story writer. His earlier translation work included Wings of Love, Withered Petals, and Verses of Wahab Khar. He teaches English literature and is associated with various literary clubs and forums. The author was awarded the Editor’s Choice Award for outstanding achievement in poetry by Poetry.com and the International Library of Poetry in the year 2007. The author was recently awarded the Kalidas Theatre Award of the Year for his literary contribution to highlighting the role of J&K broadcasters.The book is instrumental not only for the students of Sufism but also for the common man who intends to seek knowledge about Sufism and in order to understand the sayings of various Sufis. The author has succeeded in bringing Sufi sayings to a level from which the ordinary mind gets allured.
The book review is incomplete if the name of the publisher is not mentioned, as the publisher has given the sensational and incredible outer look to the book, which is so fascinating, charismatic, and mesmerising for the readers, besides its visually crystal clear printing on an exceptionally remarkable paper quality, which the reader can perceive while flipping the pages during reading. Tajran-e-Kutub, Sheikh Bashir Ahmad and Sons, is a well-known and reputed publisher that has earned name and fame in this field for more than 150 years.
I deem it my utmost duty to conclude this review with this marvelous translation of most popular poem of Soch Kral as :-
“I beseeched my beloved to be friends
He rejoined with assurances, Why not
I beseeched to let me know, me a minion
He rejoined those who knew are remorseful”.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Asrar Ali is a Practicing Advocate in J&K High Court and has reviewed number of books like Kashmir Stuck in Mud, Water Polity and Kashmir, Open Secret, Wings Of Love, Azaadi To Union Territory etc.
