Kalhan Pandit, the author of Rajatarangini was the son of Lord Champak, a minister of King Harsha (1089-1101 AD). Champak is refered to as Lord of the Gate or commandant of the frontier defences in the later part of Harsha’s reign. Kalhana mentions Champak amongst the last few officials who loyally held out by the King’s side.
Category: Editorials & Writeups
Editorials & Writeups
Lalla Ded (Lalleshwari)- The Saint Poet of Kashmir
“Lal Ded (1320-1392), the Saint Poet of Kashmir who defied social convention in her search for God”
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Nund Rishi – The Kashmiri Sufi Saint, Mystic, Poet and Islamic Preacher
Sheikh Noor-ud-Din (1377-1438 AD) popularly known as Nund Rishi and Alamdar-e-Kashmir was a Kashmiri Sufi saint, mystic, poet and Islamic preacher. He was among the founders of the Rishi order, a Sufi tradition of the region. He was influenced by spiritual teachers and saints, including Hamza Makhdoom, Resh Mir Sàeb and Shamas Faqir.
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Arinimal an Enigma? – by M.K Raina
Arinimaal, the poetess wife of Bhawanidas Kachroo, a Persian poet himself, was born, as we understand from the available literature, sometime in 18th century. It is said that like Lalla Ded and Habba Khatoon, her family life was unhappy, which was the main source of inspiration for her poignant poetry. Ultimately Bhawanidas Kachroo deserted her and she lived mostly in her father’s home.
Praagaash – Net-Journal of Project Zaan
Project Zaan & Praagaash
Dedicated to our Heritage, Our Language & Our Culture.
Project Zaan was jointly undertaken by Lalla-Ded Educational and Welfare Trust and Kashmiri Pandits’ Association, Mumbai in the year 1998-99. A group of people consisting of Late Shri J.N.Kachroo (Ex. Principal, National High School, Srinagar and main inspiration behind the movement), Late Shri J.L.Manwati (then President, Kashmiri Pandits’ Association, Mumbai), Late Shri Onkar Aima (Actor and Social Worker), Shri P.N.Wali (Ex. Executive Director, Life Insurance Corporation of India), Smt. Neelam Trakru (Educationalist), Shri Uday Upendra Mattoo (then Director, Human Resources Development, Colgate Polmolive) and Shri M.K.Raina (Civil Engineer) worked dedicatedly on the project. Shri M.K.Raina was appointed as Convener. Continue reading “Praagaash – Net-Journal of Project Zaan”
Mubarak or Poshta
For quite some time now, there has been a debate on the internet whether we need to say ‘Mubarak’ or ‘Poushta’ while greeting on Herat, Navreh etc.
Shri Bhat – A Great Hakeem & Yogi
Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin ruled Kashmir from 1420 to 1470 AD. Son of Sultan Sikandar, under whose rule Islamic zeal attained fanatical proportions, Zain-ul-Abidin proved to be the most tolerant and benevolent ruler that Kashmir had known. It has been correctly remarked that ‘history can give few examples where the policy of the father was so completely reversed by his son. Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin’s rule was in the words of Srivara ‘like the cooling sandal paste after the heat of a summer in a desert had departed.’
When Sultan Zain-Ul-Abdin was on death bed, and all his royal physicians had failed miserably to cure him of some dangerous disease, there appeared a noble man on the scene, who volunteered to treat the King with his knowledge and healing powers. Though there are different theories about the kind of illness, which the great king was suffering of, it is well established that he was cured by one and the only Shri Bhatta, a Yogi and renowned Hakeem of his times. Continue reading “Shri Bhat – A Great Hakeem & Yogi”
Suyya Pandit – A Great Engineer
Avantivarman, the founder of Utpala dynasty, came to power in 855 AD and ruled Kashmir for 28 years. His peaceful and just reign was a period of consolidation, when Kashmir rose once again to great heights in the realms of philosophy, letters, art and architecture. He is well remembered for his founding the city of Avantipura, 17 kms. from Srinagar on the banks of river Jhelum, which is still called by the same name. During his rule, he also constructed the temple dedicated to Shiva Avanteshwara. The ruins, adjacent to to Jammu-Srinagar highway are among the most imposing monuments of ancient Kashmiri architecture, ranking next only to the Martand temple. Continue reading “Suyya Pandit – A Great Engineer”
Arjun Dev Majboor – The Restless Soul
Arjun Dev Majboor does not need any introduction in the world of literature. A writer of great repute, Majboor has a very good command over three languages Kashmiri, Sanskrit and Persian, and has also done research work in Dogri and some other languages of Jammu & Kashmir. As a senior poet, who has enriched Kashmiri literature by the varied canvass of his contributions, Shri Majboor commands instant respect from the litterateurs in these languages.
Kashmiri Language – Its Origin & Development
Kashmiri language is the language of the valley of Kashmir. In a dialectic form, it has spread South-west into the valley of Kishtwar and to the South, it has flowed over the Pir Pantsal range into the lower hills lying north of river Chinab where it appears in a number of mixed dialects. People of Kashmir call this language Koshur. As per the census figures of 1981, there were about 31 Lac native speakers of the language in Kashmir. However, the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages puts the total number of people understanding or speaking Kashmiri worldwide at about 100 Lacs.
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