Asif Tariq Bhat is a poet & novelist. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Kashmiri literature from the Central University Of Kashmir, Arif has recently penned his first novel in the Kashmiri language titKhwaban Khayalan Manz.” Here he is in conversation with Kashmir Lit’s Sadam Hussain Q: Why did you … Read more →
A Letter to My Newborn Daughter
Gulam Mohammad Khan Dear Sweetheart, I am writing this letter to you when you are just three months old when you have just learned to smile; the smile that lights up the world of your mom and dad. I write this letter so that when you find it many years … Read more →
A fun look at our Kashur Khandar and female folk
Mahliqa Muzafer Kashur wedding (khandar) is all fun with the lovely female folk, starting from cute chubby toddlers dressed in beautiful uncomfortable dresses to old great grannies who have only one job “Doikher Karun.” Now let me mark some other categories of women in the festivities. My favorite is the … Read more →
Your Brother
iKoshur Your brother walks in shadows, roams the land in utter secrecy, his image alive in a multitude of hearts that are far too many to count. His feet touch upon the soil like determined whispers of a man whose voice is louder than any force a million strong. His … Read more →
Zanaan Wanaan release Kashmiri Bella Ciao
New Beginnings, Radical Possibilities Kashmir Lit (KL): What invoked you to adopt this anthem for Kashmir? Please tell us its significance? Zanaan Wanaan (ZW): As the Indian state stripped Kashmir of its partial autonomy on the 5th August by abrogating Article 370 and imposed an arbitrary communications ban, those … Read more →
Survival by Ashaq Hussain
(I) How do you bear the separation While your home is under siege: By recalling an army of metaphors Or dead clichéd caterpillars of hope? How do you bear separation alone While you oscillate between awful Dregs of despair and the hazy Halloweens of commercial ads? (ii) How do you … Read more →
Two Poems by Sayan Aich Bhowmik
Bridges Across the Jehlum A narrow passage Down the hall And I find you seated On a boat That has never been moored. Your fingers move Carelessly across your face Tracing alphabets of a race That swore by the chinars in Kashmir And died by guns of the occupying army. … Read more →
Zoon by Salik Basharat
I sprint down the stairwell and rush through the backdoor to hear the laments of a hundred faithful; while of a hundred thousand more I do not hear, but feel – like an ache in my bones. this veiled support and this willed support has opposed – And so have … Read more →
Verse-journal of the Kashmir Siege
Ather Zia August When I asked if there would be a war, they replied “did it ever end?” and continued their song. 8/4/19, the siege begins next day * our hearts are sinking, but our prayers are rising, Azadi, Azadi, Azadi 4th day of the Kashmir siege, 8/8/19 * … Read more →
I am a Soul by Dr Muhammad Qasim
My origin, presence in body. My departure is mystery I know no bearers, accept no restrictions, I am free I take a journey whenever and wherever I wish to I am beyond time, space and your imagination I am the Soul I am not made for Power, wealth and fame, … Read more →
It’s not safe outside by Azhar Wani
Agar firdous But heaven is an archive. And it has been full Since before us, as the History of man, Fills rooms and lush gardens. Kohl Eyed Virgin Archivers Look around to read, forever, And Cry. Bar royye But Dearest, our faces are left to shine under A moon, so … Read more →
Resistance is our inheritance by Zahida War
Resistance is our inheritance “In the dark of the night – The snare was laid out Prisoned in our own homes, At gunpoint, lips sealed Our hearts silently crying And yet there is no empathy From those who call us their own, Rather, as a Kashmiri woman I am objectified … Read more →
Two poems by Huzaifa Pandit
I am no Yusuf, Father I am no Yusuf, Father My brothers aren’t content to push me down the well. They tear me – tender limb to tender limb with their sleeved hands sharp as the crescent and fling my torn body down the well. I have lain in this … Read more →
Two poems by Mudasir Firdosi
Half Widow My eyes, vacant, gaze into the deep space wondering how did you become a brute? I ask about my beloved, caged in far off places or buried in no man’s land. Does my pain make you conquerer of the realms? Or numb like my heart? The blots on … Read more →
Kashmir for India – A poem by Tapaswinee Mitra
Here we present our case- Kashmir for India: Kashmiris are so beautiful, like foreigners. Like brand ambassadors of a Fair and Lovely ad. Fair like Shashi Kapoor and lovely like Shammi. The only 2 Kashmiris we know, other than Pandit Nehru. Kashmir is the perfect honeymoon destination; Come and experience … Read more →
Two poems by Naveed Ul Hassan Bhat [Urdu]
اس دورِ بے آر میں اس دورِ بے آر میں پھولوں کی آبرو پہ سوال ہے – کانٹوں کے قہقہے میں گلشن کے رندوں کی جوانی ہے- نظامِ حسرت میں چند گلابوں کا کھلنا ہے- یہ رات کے جاموں میں زنداں کی روانی ہے- شاعروں کی نظموں … Read more →
The Many Sins of Meaning- Review by Huzaifa Pandit
Sin of Semantics by Saima Afreen Copper Coin Books, New Delhi Price: Rs. 299 One of the first lessons one learns in an introductory class on language and literature is that language works on two levels: syntax and semantics. While the former decides which word combinations and word order are … Read more →
Green is the Colour of Memory – Reviewed by Wani Nazir
Green is the Colour of Memory – Huzaifa Pandit Publisher: Hawakal Publishers Year of Publication: 2018 Price: INR 220.00 Kazuo Ishiguro in his famous novel, Never Let Me Go has put it, “Memories even your most precious ones, fade surprisingly quickly. But I don’t go along with that the memories … Read more →
Two poems by Shabir Ahmed Mir
GHAZAL Eyes of porcelain. Dreams of stone. Pieces of porcelain. Screams of stone. These impotent idols, this adamant priest, This tyranny of faith, these regimes of stone. A mouthful of dust; a handful of bones: What castles of ambition! What schemes of stone! The thirsty artificer sculpting … Read more →
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