The Creative Launcher
ISSN: 2455-6580
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Perception Publishing
India
Salim Jahangeer, Peer; Qadri, Asif
Mehjoor: The Poet of Kashmir
The Creative Launcher, vol. 2, núm. 4, octubre-, 2017, pp. 597-601
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[Link] Vol. II & Issue IV (October - 2017) ISSN-2455-6580
The Creative Launcher
An International, Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, E- Journal in English
UGC Approved- (Sr. No. 62952)
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Mehjoor: The Poet of Kashmir
Peer Salim Jahangeer
Ph. D Research Scholar
(APSU Rewa M.P.)
Asif Qadri
Ph.D. Research Scholar
Department of Kashmiri
(University of Kashmir)
Abstract
Mehjoor is one of the most prominent pioneers of Modern Kashmiri poetry. He initiated his
poetic career in 1912 by writing in Persian and Urdu, but the circumstances and forceful
patriotic movement turned Mahjoor’s attention to write in Kashmiri. He realized that his
artistic desires would come only if he produce a literary work in his own mother tongue. The
remarkable part played by Mehjoor in bringing a result was to make Kashmiri poetic medium
more natural. He expanded the boundaries of Kashmiri poetry by including in it the themes of
nature, common life and patriotism. He was a poet of great beauty who summoned the nature
and people of Kashmir in his poems.
Keywords- Poetic Career, Kashmiri, Literary Work, Mother Tongue
Gulam Ahmad Mehjoor was born on 11, August, 1887 at Mitrigam Pulwama belongs to the
Peerzada family. He became famous by his pen name “Mehjoor” received by his poetic
works in literature. After receiving earlier education from his father, who was also the scholar
of Persian language. He was sent to a maktab (school) of “Abdul Gani Ashiq” (Akhoon
Sahab) who was himself a poet and this is the result of those days that poetry imbibed in
Mehjoor’s mind and started to learn the same.
Mehjoor was sent to Nusrat-ul-islam school for further education but he slipped away
and reached Amritsar where he came in contact with well-known and reputed poets of the
days like Molvi Abdulla Bismil and Alama Shibli. Molvi Abdulla Bismil adjusted Mehjoor
as an editor in a newspaper named “Al-Budder”. In 1907 Mehjoor returned home from
Amritsar and got married. He was appointed in the department of floriculture, but
unfortunately he leaved the job after the death of his father. Mehjoor was appointed as
Mehjoor: The Poet of Kashmir
By
Peer Salim Jahangeer Asif Qadri
597
[Link] Vol. II & Issue IV (October - 2017) ISSN-2455-6580
The Creative Launcher
An International, Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, E- Journal in English
UGC Approved- (Sr. No. 62952)
Patwari (Regional Administrator) in the department of revenue and was posted in Ladakh
where during the leisure time he complied Safarnami-e- Baltistan. Along with his official
duties, he used to write poetry in Kashmiri.
Gulam Ahmad Mehjoor, the man of unique ideology and strong interest towards
literature was suspended many times from his government job. Besides economic conditions
and family responsibilities he doesn’t let the poetic desires and remain connected with the
contemporary poets of the days. He along with Abdul Ahad Azad stated the new epoch in
Kashmiri poetry. They were well known with old Kashmiri poetic tradition, with the help of
this they made new developments in Kashmiri poetry and literature. They become the
founders of new literary renaissance in Kashmiri poetry. Mahjoor has a place of respect
among the poets of Kashmir. He is particularly renowned for two things. First, he pioneered a
new style into Kashmiri poetry. Second, he brings in a new contemplation into Kashmiri
poetry. Mahjoor wrote poems of liberty and development in Kashmiri. These songs wake up
the undeveloped Kashmiris. He was a poet of affection and mutual harmony. In his former
days, he used to write only love poetry, but then started to write about freedom.
Mehjoor is the single poet in Kashmiri literature on whom a movie named “Shair-e-
Kashmir” was made in 1972. Thus, he seems to be the single warrior of Kashmiri literature
who touches the skies. He is also known by the name of “Shair-e- Kashmir” (the poet of
Kashmir). In 1911 he made his first attempt in Kashmiri by writing the Mathnavi “Fa Fa
Katin”. He was keenly observing and analyzing the happenings in world, and wrote a long
poem on the First World War “Jang Jarman”. “Bagi Nishat Kay Gullo” is one of the popular
songs that deeply impressed the readers. His songs became very popular. He wrote on such
topics as love, common concord, and social improvement, and also wrote on the troubles of
the Kashmiris.
Markedly affected by the Gazal of Mahmood Gami, Mejoor wrote his first Gazal
“Vanta Vesyay Bewafie Shive Dildar Cha”.
O friend, should one, as beautiful as the moon,
Delight in breaking hearts by playing false in love?
He plunged into my heart his pointed dart,
Showing no more pity than a swordsman in war.
He shot me from afar, but how could I hide the wound?
O how beautiful he is, but how cruel his sport !
O archer! Was the forked shaft that pierced my heart
Tongued with fire, or dipped in the deadliest venom ?
Mehjoor: The Poet of Kashmir
By
Peer Salim Jahangeer Asif Qadri
598
[Link] Vol. II & Issue IV (October - 2017) ISSN-2455-6580
The Creative Launcher
An International, Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, E- Journal in English
UGC Approved- (Sr. No. 62952)
What's sliding down his robes may be coils of snakes,
Tresses of hyacinths, or meadows where bulbuls sing !
Lovers in mortal pain take heart when they behold
Those twin breasts - an elixir for ailing souls !
He slipped out by subtle stealth, but I'll seek him out
In his favourite haunts - Pari Mahal, Telbal, Dal or Shalamar.
My lot is tears! Leaving me lonesome and broken, he's gone!
Who knows where? - Prang or Brang or Drang or Kotahar!
Who has appeared at break of dawn, rattling at the door?
A thief or a drunk - or could it be sweet-throated Mahjoor?
He was also deeply impressed by the poetry of Rasool Mir as he says “Yat Darde
Sudras parde tulit gov su Rasool Mir, Mahjoor Lagith Aav Beye Dubare Ati Roz”
He remained connected with the well-known poets of other languages. In light of
progressive movement Mahjoor published his poem “Grees Koer” in 1935. His poems gave
an impelling force to the people to free their land from the unworthy governance of rivals.
Inspired by love of nation he wrote as.
“Waloo Ha Bagwano Nav Baharuk Shan Paida Har
Phulan Gul Gath Karm Bul Bul Tithi Saman Paida Kar”
Come, O Gardener!
Come to create the glory of a new spring.
A spring in which
the gul will bloom,
the bulbul will sing.
The garden is desolate;
the dew is mourning.
And the gul in torn robes
looks perplexed.
Come, O Gardener!
To rekindle the gul
To rejuvenate the bulbul.
Come, O Gardener!
Weed out the nettle from the flower-beds
Mehjoor: The Poet of Kashmir
By
Peer Salim Jahangeer Asif Qadri
599
[Link] Vol. II & Issue IV (October - 2017) ISSN-2455-6580
The Creative Launcher
An International, Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, E- Journal in English
UGC Approved- (Sr. No. 62952)
And look at row after row of hyacinth,
Come and make a smiling garden.
Who can free a captive bird mourning in his cage?
You must bring your own freedom, O, Gardner!
Wake up, O Gardener, to realize that
power and riches.
Comfort and kingship,
all these are at your feet
only after you realize yourself;
O Gardener!
Come, O Gardener!
to awaken your garden,
to say goodbye to the strains of gul,
to say goodbye to the strains of bulbul;
And--
bring about an earthquake,
bring about a storm,
bring about a rumbling thunder,
bring about a tornado.
Mehjoor also expresses his love for his land in various poems that can attract the
readers like “Gulshan Watan Chu Sonie”. Through his great poetic works like, “Wuzmal”,
“Jay tamie Raet Paristanan Maz”, “Azadi”, “Yemberzul”, “Nai Trav Mai Thave Pane Wane”
etc. He imparts skill of love, unity, nature, brotherhood, human values, Jealousy, peace and
hatred. He is also generally approved as a person in the history of Kashmiri literature who
revolutionize the orthodox forms of “Nazam” and “Gazal”.
To bring people closer together, to inculcate values of brotherhood, give them the
information of political and social injustice he initiated first newspaper in Kashmiri language
named “Gash”.
Gulam Ahmad Mehjoor was the first poet who pedestals a link between old traditional
poetry and new one. He adds together different elements and symbols throughout his poetic
career. He writes such poems in Kashmiri that changed the style of Kashmiri poetry. He was
simple and writes with different varieties and this is because of different artistic beauty that
he put before us lyrics, songs, prose, translations, criticism etc.
Mehjoor left this temporary world in 1953. He is the first poet in Kashmiri literature
who was buried with government honour at Athwajan on national highway of Jammu and
Kashmir. The death of Mahjoor was a huge loss to Kashmiri language as well as to Kashmiri
poetry. But, Mahjoor's songs are still on the tongue of every Kashmiri. Through these songs,
his name will live everlastingly and became immortal.
Mehjoor: The Poet of Kashmir
By
Peer Salim Jahangeer Asif Qadri
600
[Link] Vol. II & Issue IV (October - 2017) ISSN-2455-6580
The Creative Launcher
An International, Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, E- Journal in English
UGC Approved- (Sr. No. 62952)
Works Cited
Azad, Abdul, Ahad. Kashmiri Zuban Aur Shairee. Srinagir: J & K Academy of Art Culture
and Languages, 1959. Print.
Malik, G.R. Kashmiri Culture and Literature. Srinagir: Department of Kashmiri Kashmir
University, 2006. Print.
Raina, Trilokinath. Mahjoor and After. Srinagir: Sahitya Academy, 2008. Print.
Shoak ,Shafi and Munaver, Naji. Kashir Zuban te Adbuk Tawreekh. Srinagir: Ali Mohd and
Sons, 2012. Print.
Mehjoor: The Poet of Kashmir
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