Kashmir: The Valley Of Poets

The Kashmiri language is one of the oldest languages of the world carrying 50% words from Sanskrit, 33% Tibetan or Dardi, 10% Persian, 5% Hindi and 2% Dogri. This ambiguous language formed a unique literature known as Kashmiri literature and many great poets had been the part of this literature. Some famous poets of Kashmir are:

Lal Ded: Lalleshwari, Lal Ded or simply Lalla was a 14th century Kashmiri saint and mystic poet. She was married at the age of 12 in a family which is believed to have mistreated her. So, she decided to renounce her married life and become a devotee of Lord Shiva. Lal Ded used her poetry as a peaceful means of engagement with both Shaivism and Sufism. She is revered by the entire Kashmir. In fact, it is said that her verses are the earliest compositions of Kashmiri language. Even today, the Kashmiris sing her songs and recite her poems. She is perhaps the most popular and powerful symbol of Kashmiri poetry and its civilization. Her poems called Vakhs , are widely translated into English by many writers like Richard Temple, Coleman Barks, Jaylal Kaul and many others:
yi yi karu'm suy artsun
yi rasini vichoarum thi mantar
yihay lagamo dhahas partsun
suy Parasivun tanthar −138
which means, Whatever work I did become worship of the Lord;
Whatever word I uttered became a prayer;
Whatever this body of mine experienced became
the sadhana of Saiva Tantra
illumining my path to Parmasiva. -138

Habba Khatoon: was a 16th century Kashmiri Muslim poet known as the “Nightingale of Kashmir” for her mystic sense in the poetry. She was born in the village of Chandrahar. Her real name was Zoon, which means the moon. She was also known as Zooni. Unlike the other peasant girls she learned to read and write from the village Moulvi but at an early age, she was married to a peasant boy, who could not understand Zoon’s poetic art. This led to daily fights with her husband and mother-in-law and ultimately she was divorced.
She narrated in her own verse:
“I have been waiting for long with extreme patience for you – O! My love (or Aziz) do not be cross with your moon (zoon)! I have adorned myself lusciously from top to toe; so enjoy my youth as lively and inviting as a pomegranate flower.”
She broke a stereotype in the 16th century Kashmir by following her interest. She has been inspiring every Kashmiri woman to become a poet since the past centuries.

Ghulam Ahmed Mahzoor: is one of the greatest poets of Kashmir who brought a new meaning to the poetry in Kashmir. Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Mahzoor was born on 11th August 1887 He was the poet of love and communal harmony. His poems were based on brotherhood and peace which immensely contributed in every field of the Kashmiri life. He in his poetry exhibits such elements which surface in the literary contributions of the greatest poets of English as well as Urdu literature. He was a patriotic being too as Mahjoor pays glowing tributes to his nation in these lines;
              “Bulbul Wanan chu poshan Gulshan watan chu souni      
                Andi Andi Safaid Sangar Deware Sange Mar Mar”  
Aptly, he is known as Shair-e-Kashmir for his contribution to the Kashmiri poetry and Kashmiri literature. Mahzoor passed away in 1952 and his death was a great loss to Kashmiri language and literature.

Kalhana: was one of the earliest Kashmiri writers who made a contribution not only to Kashmiri literature but ancient Indian literature as well. He was the author of Rajtarangini (River of Kings), an account of the history of Kashmir. He wrote it in Sanskrit between 1148 and 1149 and is considered the most authentic work of the historical chronical of early India. Rajtarangini which consists of 7,826 verses, is divided into eight books. In the history of world literature ‘Rajatarangini’ is considered as a unique piece of work in which the history of a country is narrated in verse form and sustain the general interest throughout the story.