Angana Chatterji Atta Mohammad (1940-2016) was a gravedigger and caretaker of the unknown, unmarked and some mass graves at Chehal Bimyar located in the Northern Kashmir district of Baramulla. For those seeking to locate persons missing and disappeared and to access local knowledge and the events of history, Atta Mohammad’s … Read more →
Love and Cheer in Tight Embrace
By Saba Mahjoor mid-day the spicy potatoes the black blanket on the floor dozing in and out of careless folly the milky sleep the mild heat blazing blue sky candy floss clouds the gentle breeze trees swaying a last secret green eyes blue veined hands a kiss on the lips a … Read more →
My silky silhouette
I What if one day I say, Love I’m tired of this pretend-perfection What if that day I unwrap My silky silhouette Unhook my gold earrings Scatter my pearl necklace Unknot my braids of reason Only to show you My scarred forehead Muddied hands Bruised knees My bright doll-house What … Read more →
An Open (Love) Letter to Kashmir from a Koshur Gobur
Dear Kashmir, It seems to be the season of open letters, so I too will hop on and instead of wasting my breath on writing open letters to people who do not deserve my attention and much less my words, I am writing you this long due (love) letter. I … Read more →
In Kashmir, ‘fearless mobs’ help militants escape
Parvaiz Bukhari. In a graveyard at his school in Indian Kashmir, principal Ghulam Ahmed Bhat stares sadly at a mound of freshly dug earth after another former pupil was killed in the region’s conflict. University student Shaista Hameed was caught in crossfire during a gun battle between soldiers and militants … Read more →
Intisaab- Kashmir kay shuhda kay naam
Mohammad Huzaifa Pandit Badan dareeda huun aaj ki ghata bain karti hui aayi hai Yeh sham ki kasini chaon, dehleez pay pukartay saaye Aur dareechon ki na-beena tatolti aankhain Khoonrez hawaao.n main, boo-e-gham ki muntazir Ki aaj qatalgahon say shayad phir teray kakulon ki mehak aayi hai. Haan wohi mehak … Read more →
Language without a Nation
Mir Hilal A year ago, when my son was 18 months old, he began to speak in chaste Kashmiri, and instantly became an oddity. He would draw a blank when people tried to charm him in Urdu spoken with a distinctly Kashmiri flavour. And when I would say he speaks … Read more →
Kar Sa Myoun Neyay Andhe [When will my troubles end] by Mahmud Gami
Mahmud Gami (1765–1855) is a famous poet from Dooru Shahabad in South Kashmir. His work “Yusuf Zulaikha” has been translated into German by Fredrich Burkhard. [Trans. Ather Zia] Kar sa myoun nai andey, maer mandeh madan waro When will my troubles end, my comely beloved Tchond-makh haneh haneh-ey – Wani-neh … Read more →