The sacrifice of knowledge is greater than the sacrifice of material possessions. After all, the sacrifice of work culminates in transcendental knowledge ~ Bhagavad-Gita 4.33
Pandavas may have been gifted a cursed, barren desert but they transformed it into the beautiful city of Indraprastha. With the same fervor we tried our best to preserve remnants of native culture and indigenous language even if majority were holed up in squalid camps on arid lands. War and conflict notwithstanding, mother tongue is associated with the idea of home and severing that connection can be challenging but many a parent ensured the link remained intact.
Vishal Pandita is one such young man who was born in exile and is perfectly comfortable with Kashmiri.
“I am born and bought up in Jammu. My native place is Murran, Pulwama. We are a small family of four. My father is a Pharmacist who is the only bread earner, my mother is a housewife (one of the toughest jobs in the world)! I am pursuing M.Phil in Hindustani Classical Music from the Department of Music and Fine Arts, Delhi University. The research topic for my M.Phil is Kashmiri Folk Music. I have a younger sister who is also pursuing her Masters in Hindustani classical music. I reside at Jagti Township, Nagrota. Since long have I been performing and researching Kashmiri Music (Folk and Modern). Recently I started my own Academy called ‘NRITYASWARANGAN’. I have also developed a special course for those who wish to learn Kashmiri Music (Folk or Modern).”
“I had to make no efforts to learn my mother tongue, it was the language spoken at home. My parents and grandparents always encouraged us to speak and learn Kashmiri. Kashmiri poetry was there as a gift from my grandfather and father. My mother would work on my pronunciation and vocabulary. Those were the days when there was no YouTube or social platform, my mother would listen to Kashmiri songs and prompt me so that I could write down the lyrics and perform. So whatever Vishal Pandita is today specifically within Kashmiri community, is only because of the efforts of my family, I owe them everything. I would not have been able to utter a single word in Kashmiri if my parents and grandparents had not kept that environment at home. Home is where I developed my love for Kashmiri.”
There could not have been a simpler and sweeter introduction from an unassuming twenty-something young man who has just started to fly and aiming to soar high. Though one has to uncover more than the prologue, turn a few leaves, and learn beyond; about the sacrifices that may have been understated.
“I have seen very tough times — struggling for space while residing in Mishriwala Camp, Jammu. My sister and I would watch other kids from community attend Music classes, but we could not join them as we were unable to afford the fee. I have witnessed varied struggles of our community — for good food, pure water, hygiene and sanitation, decent space, clean toilets among many other things.”
“My connect with Kashmir is like a bond between mother and son. Even if I was not born there Kashmir will remain my first love. My family — Grandfather, Grandmother, Mom, Dad etc. have added value to my knowledge through their lives in Kashmir. I do not remember a day at home when Kashmir was not discussed. We miss being in Murran, I have been taught about Mandli, various festivals celebrated in Kashmir, playing with friends, having meals 4 –5 times a day and many more things. I guess they just wanted their children to remember Kashmir through their memories. I do not even possess a photograph of my ancestral house as it was burnt to ashes during the militancy of 90's.”
You start realizing that oversimplification is a just a façade we put on at times to mask the rootlessness and loss of identity. The mystic land of Pulwama that gave us Lal Ded and Habba Khatoon, the land of Hemal Naagi-Rai, the birthplace of the revolutionary poet Mehjoor, Wahab Khar and SocchaKral, the seat of Shaivism and Buddhism. Nearby Tsrar/Charar the home of Nund Rishi, the patron saint of Kashmir venerated both by Pandits and Muslims, the founder of the famous order of Islamic Rishis. And Vishal growing up in exile forming an image of ‘home’ simply based on the stories and lullabies.
“ I have been to Kashmir couple of times. First time when I was travelling to Kashmir I was expecting the same Kashmir that I had imagined from the description shared by my elders. But it was nothing like that. It was happy outside but sad inside.”
“ I travelled to various residential areas like Jawahar Nagar, Indra Nagar, Lal Chowk, Batamaloo, HMT etc. and was pained to see some houses of Kashmiri Pandits occupied by the locals. It was easy for me to distinguish to which community the properties belonged. Tears were rolling down my cheeks. It was a very heartbreaking experience. Other than that, I visited various religious places like Mata Kheer Bhawani, Shankaracharya temple, Jwala Mata, Zethyar etc.”
“It was amusing to be welcomed as a tourist and the superficiality of it. To sum up visits to Kashmir have been a mixed bag of emotions. I have never been to my hometown, Murran. But do I wish to visit my village in near future.”
“ I miss each and everything about Kashmir, my heart is always connected to my roots. I miss that Kashmiri connect here in Jammu. I miss those waterfalls, I miss those lakes, I miss the calm breeze, everything that I experienced during my short visits. Ironically, I was born surrounded by thousands of Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu.”
Pt. Jia Lal Pandita was writing with devotion and passion under the pen name ‘Dildar’. He wrote many Bhajans, Leelas, and Kashmiri plays. His deep interest in religious texts reflected in his writings. He may not have explicitly appeared religious, but he was an ardent follower of Lord Shiva and Krishna. His works include Kashmiri version of Shiv-Lagan and Nal-Damyanti (Story of Nalraj-Damyanti), Konai Krishan Chahai Hechnavan, Vunikenas Tothtam Yetanay Aar, Haa Zuve Ram-e-naav Sour Prabhatan and many more. He belonged to Achhan, Pulwama but soon after the death of his parents, when he was barely 12-years old, he moved to Murran. Years later he and his wife passed away the same day at the Mishriwala Camp. Their last rites were performed together.
“ My grandfather Pt. Jia Lal Pandita was a poet and my maternal uncle too is a good singer. Music has been flowing in our veins through generations. I am thankful to Goddess Saraswati to have bestowed me with these vocal chords. I am trying my best to make good use of my talent. I always try to encourage the younger generation and try to learn from the elders. I always try to contribute a bit towards my community (in form of my Music). My parents have always taught me to work for the community first then for others, and I follow that principle.”
“Traditionally it’s not easy to convince a Pandit family of pursuing Music as a profession. But there was no such challenge for me or my sister. Our family has always supported us. Music was all around me since I was a child, it came to me naturally. I decided to continue with this discipline right after class 12th. I was clear about my passion; so were my parents. They never disappointed us. I always tell them, “We are blessed to have parents like you”. My father always wanted to pursue music professionally but due to some circumstances, he was not able to. He is living his dreams through his children.”
“ I got tremendous support and encouragement from Late Sur-Samrat Vijay Malla Ji and Smt. Kailash Mehra Sadhu. Both motivated me and inspired me to take up Kashmiri Music. And to my surprise when I joined college here in Jammu, I got Kailash Ma’am as my Guru. I did not know how to thank the almighty for making my dream come true. I am right now in the middle of my M.Phil. dissertation which is based on ‘Kashmiri Folk Music’ and I wish to continue this Research topic for my PhD as well.”
“ I love Kashmiri music — Songs of Habba-Khatoon, Vijay Malla, Kailash Mehra, Shameema Dev Azad, Mehmeet Syed, Ghulam Hassan Sofi, Ustad Rashid Hafiz — Ya tull khanjar bu Marai! Also Bu Gyav Ne aaz su Nagme Kahn, Maayi Chani Rovum Rath-te-Doh and many more.”
Dhritarashtra was blind from birth. Unfortunately, he was also bereft of spiritual vision. There was only so much solace and enlightenment Sanjaya could provide by becoming his ‘eyes’. Krishna on the other hand became the charioteer of Arjuna, enlightening him on sacrifice and liberation, on the battlefield itself. Vishal found his Krishna in his father.
“My dad is my inspiration, I see him as my hero, he is always dealing with hardships and making sacrifices. He has survived — like many KPs — tents, heat strokes, camp quarters and now so-called two-room tenements in Jagti. My dad has done several jobs for survival. He spent most of his life in Srinagar struggling in different professions. But he eventually worked his way through to becoming a Marketing Executive, Medical Rep. etc. for various companies before he switched over to becoming a full time Pharmacist. He has struggled a lot which has served an example for his children. My sister and I never settle for safe escapes from the struggling phases of life, instead we try to enjoy them and learn from such experiences. And this trait is naturally inherited from our father. My mom and dad have constantly been my strength, my support system, their faith in me keeps me going.”
“It feels nostalgic sharing my story, but I am satisfied with what I have got. And I am ever so thankful to God that I am born in the Kashmiri Pandit community. Whatever be the circumstances we have always fought back with our intellect and hard work. And I always look forward to serving my community in every way possible.”
Such humble beginnings, such devotion and passion, such simplicity and humility. One can only appreciate the focus and clarity of a young mind, making the best of limited resources and drawing strength from love and backing of family.
“ Covid -19 led to formation of “NRITYASWARANGAN” quite recently (7–8 months ago). I was just stuck at home due to the pandemic, so one day my students (whose classes were on hold due to the prevailing situation) suggested we resume the classes online. For a while, I doubted if it was possible for an Arts subject like Music to be taught online. But finally, I made up my mind and resumed the classes on the social meeting application and it went off well. We faced difficulties in the beginning but after some time we figured a way out. The name was mutually decided by me and my business partner. Because we wanted to serve Music as well as Dance here in the academy, we came up with the name ‘Nritya-Swar-Angan’. Ms. Shubangi Dhamir is the business partner who teaches dance. She holds a Post-Graduation Degree in Kathak from Punjab University, Patiala and she is pursuing her PhD in the same discipline. So ‘Nrityaswarangan’ is an academy where you get trained under the supervision of creative and qualified trainers. The obstacles made us stronger and more dedicated towards our work. We at Nrityaswarangan believe that “Hurdles will come and go, it’s you who molds them into opportunities to learn something new.” We are committed to providing practical and theoretical training to the students.”
“I have received support for my venture from many whom I did not know personally in comparison to those I knew well. My dream is to see this venture at the top one day and I am happy with the kind of support and love ‘Nrityaswarangan’ is getting from the masses.”
I learned about Vishal Pandita through my mother who forwarded a video to me in 2015, I saw a young boy perhaps a teenager singing ‘Tse loguth sorme chashemen’ originally sung by Late. Ghulam Hassan Sofi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHTy4oM_arw&t=32s.
I think this has been by far Vishal’s best performance, not that I wish to critique his talent.
As the sun alone illuminates all this universe, so does the living entity, one within the body, illuminate the entire body by consciousness ~ Bhagavad-Gita 13.34
The resilience of humans is an enigma; uprooted trees need up-righting and re-anchoring; small plants are relatively easier to save, yet they experience a transplant shock. Youngsters like Vishal may have adapted to the imposed environs and circumstances, but their commitment to keeping the roots alive is worth celebrating. Who knows in the not too distant future Hemal Naagi-Rai will be resurrected at ‘Nrityaswarangan’ in Murran!
Learn more about Vishal:
▪Social Media Handle: https://www.facebook.com/vishal.pandita.330
~References:
*Bhagavad-Gītā As It Is — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1986). Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.
*Murran- My Village — Chander M. Bhat — Vyeth Graphics (2003).
~ Picture Credit: Vishal Pandita
© Jheelaf Parimu
