SANJAY PANDITA
Nestled within the serene village of Pani Pora, Kashmir, under the gentle shadow of towering chinar trees and the undulating streams, Dr. Nazir Mushtaq’s life began—a life that would come to balance the worlds of medicine and literature in rare harmony. Born in 1951, his journey embodies a confluence of science and creativity, reflecting the unique cultural landscape of Kashmir that has long inspired both scholars and artists.
From an early age, Dr. Mushtaq was steeped in the intellectual richness of Kashmiri tradition. His foundational years were spent at Markazi Darasgah Islami Nawab Bazar, where his inherent curiosity took root and began to grow, deepened by a desire to understand the world. This thirst for knowledge carried him through his time at Government High School Batamallo and later S.P. College in Srinagar. With each phase, his mind absorbed new ideas, like a river gathering tributaries, until it flowed fully toward a life of healing and storytelling.
It was at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, where Dr. Mushtaq’s ambitions crystallized. Immersed in the rigorous study of medicine, he found himself drawn not only to the physical aspect of healing but to the emotional and psychological nuances of the human experience. Learning the language of cells and tissues, he discovered a parallel in his creative mind: where medicine healed the body, literature could touch the soul. Dr. Mushtaq began to perceive his studies as a way to nurture life itself, realizing that the act of healing extends far beyond diagnosis and treatment.
While medicine became his profession, literature remained a profound passion. Even as a young student, his pen had already begun crafting narratives, finding strength in the small stories he witnessed and lived. In his eighth year of school, he wrote an essay titled Jinhein Din Mein Panch Bar Pukara Jata Hein, a piece that garnered him national recognition and hinted at the future storyteller within. This early success laid a foundation for his literary pursuits, and as he grew, Dr. Mushtaq’s pen became his instrument to explore and express the depths of human emotion and the complexity of life’s struggles.
In 1970, Dr. Mushtaq published his first short story, Badnaseeb, in Daily Aftab. The story marked his formal entry into Kashmiri literature, with a tale that resonated deeply within his community. Here was a writer whose narratives echoed the landscape of his homeland—rugged, resilient, and introspective. His stories captured the often-overlooked details of life in Kashmir, blending realism with empathy, and shedding light on the silent battles that shape human experience. Each piece of fiction became a portrait of his people, drawing from the culture and traditions that define them.
Dr. Mushtaq’s literary endeavors expanded beyond the written page. In 1971, he stepped into the realm of radio with Chand Se Dulhan, a drama that brought his words to life across the valley. The radio allowed him to reach a wider audience, and through this medium, he infused the airwaves with stories that echoed like the valleys’ own gentle whispers. Soon after, he entered television, further broadening his reach. Works such as Matcher and his novel Paigam delved into the cultural and social fabric of Kashmir, reflecting the region’s challenges and triumphs, and inviting audiences to see themselves within his narratives.
With each new platform, Dr. Mushtaq’s work gained in both breadth and depth. By 1973, he was not only a novelist but a writer of telefilms, stage dramas, and serials, each crafted with a keen sensitivity to the intricacies of Kashmiri life. His works—Zanjeer, Dadgah, Kaash—have become cultural landmarks, each resonant with the shared experiences of a community bound by history and geography. His contributions to Kashmiri art and literature reflect his profound understanding of human nature, transcending the page to find life on stage, screen, and radio, where his stories touch a collective chord among his audience.
Beyond fiction, Dr. Mushtaq has wielded his medical expertise to connect with readers on topics of health and wellness. His book, Sihat Kamil, stands as a bridge between medical science and everyday life, where he transforms clinical knowledge into compassionate prose. His columns in Daily Kashmir Uzma make health education accessible to the broader public, merging the technical with the relatable, and showing how deeply he values the well-being of his community. Through these writings, Dr. Mushtaq demystifies complex medical concepts, offering insights that empower his readers to lead healthier lives.
His contributions have been met with awards and recognitions, affirming the impact of his work in both medicine and literature. From accolades for his scriptwriting to honors bestowed by the Medical College Literary Council, each acknowledgment serves as a testament to his dedication. Yet, Dr. Mushtaq remains grounded, viewing these accolades as secondary to the purpose that drives him. His motivation lies not in fame, but in his commitment to a calling that unites healing and storytelling—two pursuits that, in his hands, speak to the resilience and beauty of Kashmiri life.
One of Dr. Mushtaq’s most celebrated achievements lies in his Urdu micro-fiction, a genre in which he has distilled vast themes into small, potent works. His collection, Tinkay, captures entire worlds within a few lines, offering readers moments of introspection and empathy. Soon to be translated into English, Tinkay represents Dr. Mushtaq’s enduring belief in the power of language to bridge divides and open minds. Through each brief story, he leaves an indelible mark, painting the subtleties of life with a skill that few possess.
As president of the Jammu Kashmir Fiction Writers’ Guild, Dr. Mushtaq extends his influence beyond his own work to support the voices of others. Under his leadership, the guild has become a haven for emerging writers, a space where creativity is nurtured, and where Kashmiri writers can find support in their journey to articulate the stories of their homeland. His role here reflects his lifelong commitment to elevating the literary community in Kashmir, providing writers with the guidance and encouragement they need to flourish.
For all his success, Dr. Mushtaq’s humility remains one of his most defining characteristics. His journey from the peaceful fields of Pani Pora to the bustling stages, clinics, and studios across Kashmir has been one marked by kindness, dedication, and a deep respect for his roots. He carries within him the simplicity of his origins, where a young boy once roamed the Kashmiri countryside, inspired by the world around him. Now, as a seasoned healer and storyteller, he shares that inspiration with the world, encouraging others to see the beauty in both the microscopic and the monumental.
As Dr. Mushtaq continues to contribute to the legacy of Kashmiri literature and medicine, he remains a testament to the power of a life dedicated to purpose. His dual paths intersect at the heart of human experience, where knowledge and compassion meet. Through his writing, he offers solace, understanding, and perspective; through his practice, he provides care, healing, and guidance. His life stands as an affirmation that science and art, though often seen as separate, are bound by a shared capacity to reveal truths that sustain us.
In Dr. Nazir Mushtaq, Kashmir has found a son whose work reflects both the land’s ancient heritage and its contemporary aspirations. His legacy, already significant, will continue to grow as a living testament to the enduring impact of words and healing. As he walks between the realms of medicine and literature, he reminds us that each person carries the potential to bridge worlds, weaving together knowledge and creativity to illuminate paths toward understanding and peace. Dr. Mushtaq’s story is a celebration of this duality—a reminder that in the act of healing, one finds not only science but also an art that speaks to the spirit. His pen, like his practice, is a vessel of compassion, mending wounds seen and unseen, nurturing a legacy of resilience that lives on in the heart of Kashmir.
The writer can be reached at sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com
