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Community - Prominent Kashmiris |
| Vasudev Reh |
Mahakavi Vasudev Reh was born in Batapur, Sopore, Kashmir in 1927. He lost his eyesight due to smallpox when he was a child. But no one who came in contact with him ever felt that handicap. Instead, he seemed to have not only hindsight but also the foresight of events yet to come. The amazing part is that he never received formal education, yet rose to be an unparalleled poet.
He wrote in many forms--- Nazm, Ghazal, Vaakh, Geet, Vatsan and Leela, all with perfection. Three volumes of his compositions Shab Garud, Myani Vatsan and Yada Votur have been published.
Shab Garud (night watchman) is one of his oft-quoted poems. It starts with a warning: |
- Mane booziv yiman kalaaman hosha hosh
- Aalav myon yi shaaman shaaman hosha hosh
- (Try to understand what I am saying. Be aware.
- I warn you evening after evening. Be aware.)
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The collection by the same title won the Best Book Award of the J&K Cultural Academy and the Sadiq Memorial Award.
Reh was unique, both in content and form. He carried the influence of no other poet, past or present. The idiom and phrases he chose were typically Kashmiri. He was a revolutionary who revolted against anything ugly, immoral or harmful. He believed in Immortal Truth, equality, brotherhood, love and mutual respect. He was fearless and forthright in his expression.
He also had an enchanting sense of humour. Even his sarcasm was hilarious.
He was forced to migrate from the valley to Ghaziabad and this saddened him a lot. He carried in his thoughts the flow of the Vitasta, the depth and vastness of the Wular and the nostalgia of Sopore.
In his words: |
- Ya achhras achhras soorat din
- Ya soorat soorat mashravaen
- Kath vati namun kyah vat sorun
- Yiti zeethh kathah hoti zeethh kathah
- (To shape each word or forget all forms, to what we should bow and what contemplate upon, all these questions need a long debate)
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Vasudev Reh passed away on 31st December 2001 at Ghaziabad.
(Courtesy: T.N.Kundan and Chaman Lal Sapru in Koshur Samachar, Feb 2002) |
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