Monday, September 10, 2012
GHULAM NABI DOOLWAL ENTHRALLNG POET AND MUSICIAN FROM DOOL , KISHTWAR ..
GHULAM NABI DOOLWAL ENTHRALLNG POET AND MUSICIAN FROM DOOL , KISHTWAR ..
" Goonga Nawaa Dil Jaane Te Meriye Gunga Nawaa "
So would many elders in kashmir sing . At school, our principal sh Dina Nath Hanjura once explained that the lines are actually from a kishtwari song popularized by singers who trekked the Simthan Pass from Kishtwar to enter Kashmir valley . Infact the history of kashmir is directly connected with the history of kishtwar.I quote Verse 589 Taranga 7 of kalhana's Rajtarangini ;
"The chief of kashtwata ( present day Kishtwar ) too ,Sri Uttam Raja presented themselves before the king ”
The tallest saint of the Reshi order of kashmir popularly known as Nund
Reshi actually belonged to this area and his ancestors have been traced
as Thakur Rajputs .Similarly Baba Zain Ud Din ( whose ziyarat is
presently at Aishmuqam ) belonged to a Rajput family of Kishtwar and his
actual name was Zia Singh . History records that after embracing Islam
,he meditated in a cave at Aishmuqam . History records that during 1319
A. D. , king Sahdeva of kashmir fled to Kishtwar to save his life from
the hurricane like attack of Dulachu a Tartar chief from central Asia .
And then General Zorawar singh (1786-1841 ) trekked through this area to
enter Suru valley to conquer Ladakh for Raja Ghulab Singh of jammu.
This beautiful upland valley of kishtwar falls in jammu division though a
Motorable road via kokkernaag connects it with kashmir valley. Perched
at an altitude of 5400 feet approximately , Kishtwar town has a scenic
location with Sylvan surroundings of hills with dense Forests . River
Chenab ( Chander Bhaaga mentioned in Rajtarangini by Kalhana ) flowing
from neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, enters the area through Paddar (
known for Sapphire mines ) and flows near by this picturesque town.Other
valleys in this area are Dachan , Marwah , Wadwan and Chatroo .The
climate and altitude of this area is ideal for growth of fruits like
apples , cherries , pears , walnuts , almonds.The soil of the plateau is
also ideal for cultivation of Saffron . Rajmash ( kidney Beans ) grown
in Marwah are even exported now.
In this beautiful land lies an area known as DOOL where NHPC has also
commissioned a prestigious Hydro Electric Power project. Incidentally
Dool Hasti happens to be the birth place of Ghulam Nabi Doolwal who
enthralled entire state with his music popularized as CHALANT as also
with his beautiful and progressive poetry . From Dool he came to settle
down in kishtwar Town. Ask any person in kishtwar town and he shall
accompany you to the house of Doolwal sahib. His Mazaar lies in the
corner of the compound of his house . I asked for his music and
immediately i was shown the shop" Tanveer Electronics" at hospital chowk
from where i purchased some old recorded music of this artist.So much
love and regard flows for this artist in the town that one has to see it
to believe it .I am informed by some residents of the town that Doolwal
Sahib helped every one who sought his help sometimes financially as
well even when he himself continued to struggle .
Enter the world of Ghulam Nabi Doolwal (1925-1990).
"Sadiq Sahib , Abhi Woh Paimaana Nahin Banaa hai Jiss se Aap Doolwal Sahib ki Taaleem Naap Sakein "
This what late Shri Durga Prasad Dhar ( DP Dhar Known Popularly ) told
to Shri Ghulam Mohd Sadiq the then Chief Minister when a senior
Bureaucrat objected to his idea of elevating Doolwal sahib to the post
of cultural Education Officer on a plea that Doolwal sahib was not
qualified enough for the post. . The proposal for shifting cum elevation
of renowned singer cum poet was mooted by Late Sh D P Dhar and was
finally approved by the cabinet.. In fact Doolwal sahib worked as a
forester in Forest Department and was posted at Kishtwar. He had to
visit srinagar quite often for his programmes. This frequent movement
was inconvenient for the poet cum singer as well as for his innumerable
well wishers in the valley.
I am informed by the family members that the then Director Radio kashmir Sh P C Chaterji ( He was posted in srinagar from 1953 to 1956 and retired as Director General AIR ) visited Kishtwar and was informed about a magical young singer from Dool Hasti . Sh Chaterji immediately asked for the boy and heard him singing . Himself a connoisseur of Music and fine arts , Shri Chaterji introduced the boy to Radio kashmir srinagar and the rest is a history.
Gh Nabi Doolwal remains a legend in kashmiri Music. He brought the
freshness of CHALANT style music to kashmir from across the hills and
valleys of river Chenab . Though himself an accomplished poet , It goes
to his credit that he sang the songs of almost all poets from valley. He
brought the freshness of the poetry of many poets of the then Doda
district to kashmir valley (especially Rassa Javidaani, Margoob
Banihaali , Manshoor Banihaali , Bashir Bhaderwahi and Nishat Kishtwari )
and made them known all over. Ask any kashmiri about Doolwal and he
shall immediately tell you all or any one of his following compositions
:-
Maanun Tse Peyee sahib Chhu Kunuyee Yaa yetti maanun yaa Taetti Maanun.
Naazneen Yaar Myaani Yee Chhu Mulaaqaat
Shabanamun Kar Ashqbaari Laalzaruss Chhaa Khabar
Yaa Maag Sorrihay taa Phaagnuss Munz aghar Suu Myon Toth Yaar Iyahe .
Me Nish Seer Thaavun So Gayee Chein Marzee.
Yin Saa Chashmunn Srehh Karakh Sahlaab Anahumm Yavanuss.
Lol Chonuy Chhum barith Jismuss Taa Beyee Jaanuss Andhur
Beyee Pheur Sontuk Vaav Bahaar Aav Bahaar Aav
zamaanay Poak Naa Hamdum Toateiy Kyaah Guvv.
Husanuss Taa loluss Chhaa Kamee Naazunn Taa Niyazunn
Ye Kyaah Gayyo Me Taa tuss meul
Az Roaz Saanie Dilbur Myaane
Badaam Folai laej badaamvaari
Gazlee Thodh Pahaan Bahar vuchh zi hey, Lol Saazuk Assar Vuchh zi Hey
So popular were these songs that these entered the household of kashmiris . Young and old cherished them . These songs were sung in marriages . They were sung in Mehfils . Illiterate women sang them doing daily Chores .Peasants , Teachers , Boatmen paddling in placid DAL LAKE sang them .Traders , Artisans, Babus , Officers , Bureaucrats sat together in Mehfils to listen to the soul satisfying singing of this great artist. Every singer copied his style to sing in Mehfils . kashmiri Pandit women would play Hikkutt in Marriages singing his songs . Muslim women would sing his songs while performing Roff on various festivals .
CHALANT
It goes to the credit of this great artist to have introduced his own assembly of musical instrument in kashmiri singing which ultimately came to be known as CHALANT . CHALANT became immediate success. kashmiris found it a new change from the traditional CHAKRI .Doolwal sahib made liberal use of harmonium , Flute , Tabla , Ektaara , Glasses , Teen Pyaala , Sarangi and Banjo while singing in CHALANT style.
"While retaining some basic features of kashmiri style of singing , CHALANT has introduced melody of the Hindustaani classical music . CHALANT is a MADHYAA LAI of singing with Proper SUR , TAAL and CHAAL yet a singer while singing any Gazal in CHALANT has to keep his breath continuous and uninterrupted and unfragmented unlike light Music where a singer is free to sing in fragments . We can say that CHALANT is a forceful Melody presented with full devotion of mind and thought where a listner smells the feeling of spritualism . So diffcult is to sing CHALANT just like to win a wrestling . It is a well dressed presentation and has a definite musical format and design . You must listen Haa Yaar Mokhtaa Haar ( O friend ! My garland of pearls ) sung by Doolwal sahib in CHALANT style . It shall transport you to another world."
This is what Dr Khursheed Ahmed Bhat ( Husband of Alam Ara Jaanbaaz and son in law of the late artist) told me . To my surprise i found this doctor himself an accomplished singer and a harmonium player .
"Only 30 percent of what my father wrote as a poet appears in his Book "PHOLVIN SANGAR ". The rest is yet to be published.He was an affectionate father . My sisters Shamima Ji ,Zamruda ji , Alam Ara ji and Jahaan Ara ji have profound knowledge of music and poetry though Alam Ara and Jahan Ara sing and are approved Radio and Television artists .Believe me when i say that Music runs in our blood. " said Zubair Janbaaz son of this legendary artist to me .Zubair is an engineer by profession..
" Our brother is also an accomplished singer . He is shy of singing on the stage. We love his musical sense . You must listen to his singing and style. As child he would accompany his Abbaji who also encouraged him to sing and play some musical instruments. I remember some closest friends and admirers of Abba Ji were kashmiri Pandits. Abbaji 's popularity touched its zenith during Jashn e kshmir Festival organized by Bakshi sahib. He was praised by Begum Akhtar sahiba liberally.Some of his intimate friends with whom he shared his pain and happiness were late Abdul Gani Zargar from Kishtwar , Master sona ullah teacher ( he also played Banjo in his troupe) Ghulam Nabi Ahangar , Sham ji ( Brother of Miss Mehmooda Ahmed Ali the then Principal Govt Women College Srinagar ), Dr Bashir Ul Haq from Raithan Budgaam kashmir and many more . I do not remember many names at this moment. . " This is what Alam Ara ji added to my knowledge about Doolwal sahib and his family .
I am also informed by many lovers of this artist that he got a rough deal from establishment in terms of recognition of his music and poetry .It was only a bureaucrat Pervaiz Dewan( IAS ) who pooled all his efforts in ensuring grant of the much deserved recognition in the shape of Governor's Award to this artist . I am informed that Pervaiz Dewan has even translated a good number of poems from his book " Pholvin Sangar "
Doolwal As A Poet
Though Doolwal wrote poetry in a prolific style and he could have sung
only his compositions , it goes to the greatness of this artist that he
sang almost all other kashmiri poets . If he sang Tassavuf he also sang
love songs .He never projected the poet in him while singing in Mehfils .
Some of the most popular songs composed By Doolwal sahib belong to
Rassa Javidaani , Rehman Raahi ,Margoob Banihali , Dina Nath Naadim and
Mehjoor.He is certainly progressive though he never belonged to the
Marxist school in the strict sense of the word progressive as understood
in Urdu poetic circles.He wrote some of the beautiful Naats .I quote :
Gusst Taa valie Valie vaav Myaaniss Mahjabeenuss vun salaam.
Dil Pareshaan Chhum Gomutt Shaah e Madeenuss vun Salam.
He also wrote that though Paths may be different yet the ultimate goal of all religions of the world is common. I quote
Naavun Chhaa farak matalab Chhu Kunuyee
Maanun Tse peyee sahib Chhu Kunuyee
He firmly believed in Massavaat or equality of mankind . i quote:-
Oonch Neech Maa Chhu Ravaa ,
Ittehaaduk yee chhu Mudaa
Assal kuthh Tarriy naa fikri
Kuthh Chha vanaan Massawaat
Naazneen yaar Myaani yee chhu Mulaqaat.
Zoonie laggi choonie jaraan
Az pagaah taetti Gharr ti karan
Jaanbaaz yetti Chhi Vachhaan
Vini Ti Panein Zaat Paat
Naazneen yaar Myaani yee chhu Mulaqaat.
If Abdul Ahaad Azaad wrote Bata koor ( kashmiri Pandit Girl ) and Mehjoor wrote Greis koor ( Village Girl ) Doolwal sahib also wrote Musalmaan koor ( A Muslim Girl ). I quote some lines from this poem:
Vattan Pukh Tse Phokh dith Musalmaan koorie
Yeh Chhuyee Khoar Daalaan Tse Shaitaan koorie.
One composition that i have heard from a private collector is just touching . The poet appeals to almighty ;
Inaayat kar Ta az parvardigaara
Yeh daamun Bhar Ta az Parvardigaara
Seythaa Vodhbhav chhu Logmutt Kafan tsoorun
Raeneimut Jaam Mastoorun Taa Hooran
Ye Anigott sar ta Az parvardigaara .
His love song are a treat . I quote
Yin saa Chashmunn Sreh karakh
Sahlaab Anahumm Yavanuss
Yin saa Vosh Traavukh Lageim
Mohabbat Toofanuss Taawanuss .
Another popular song composed by Doolwal sahib and sung by late Ghulam Hassan sofi is…
Zamaanai Poak Naa humdum Totee kyaah Guvv.
Tamiss gai zulf Barhumm Totee kyaah Guvv.
Gustee nai Saaf Dil Dittah laaf Saasa,
Naatiev Chettah Aab e Zum Zum Totee Kyaah Guvv
Is he not eligible for a Padamshri award posthumously ? Can we not remember him in any manner ?I also end up with lines from a verse of faiz Ahmed faiz ;
Hum Khastaa Tanon se mohatsibon
Kyaa Maal o Manaal kaa poochhtay ho
Jo Umar Se Hum ne Bhar paaya
sab saamnay laaye daitein hain.
Daamun me hai Musht e Khaak e Jigar ,
saagar Me hai Khoon e hasarat e Mai,
Lo Hum Ne Daamun Jhaad Diyaa ,
Lo Jaam ultaaye deitein Hain.
(We are the enfeebled ,
What is there to ask about our assets , O censors ?
All that life has proffered us ,
we are holding up for scrutiny:
In the hem , a handful of Heart's dust ,
In the goblet, the blood of yearning 's wine .
look , here we empty our hem,
and here we upturn the wine glass)
( Translation from Urdu by Shiv k. Kumar )
So long so much, Good Night …….
( Autar Mota )
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