Indu Bhushan Zutshi
Name of Book -THE BRIGHT STARS
OF THE FOGGY NIGHTS
Author -Avtar Mota
Price Rs 460/= – Published in Feb 2025.
Avtar Mota hardly needs any introduction. A Kashmiri to the core, who has chosen to write in English, the stories of Kashmir that bring alive men, matters and musings from the social life of the 1800s and 1900s .With 9 books and more than 250 published articles on art and culture of Kashmir ,AvtarMota as per ParwezDewan(IAS), author and former Tourism Secretary (Government of India), becomesThe foremost chronicler of the social history of Kashmir’. Avtar, Mota is recipient of SaMaPa Award 2022 and Harmony India Award 2024.
Journalist Arthur Joe writes this about Mota’ “Through his stories, Mota presents something that evokes nostalgia and compassion .In every story, Mota is with you both as narrator and spectator. He enthuses, informs, and clarifies as he makes you read his stories. He makes you to travel with him and become a part of his interesting coverage.”
For the quality of his social life stories, some of his essays have been translated into Bangla and French languages also. Many copy paste writers have also resorted to thieving these stories for cheap popularity. He opens a wide panorama of social life of Kashmir which covers everything that one needs to know about the troubled land. This is his ninth book that has twenty one stories about some men who exhibited brightness during nights that were unfortunately foggy and dark. They remained unnoticed and unseen. This time Mota includes some such bright stars from Jammu like Santokh Singh (commercial painter), Vidhya Rattan Khajuria (sculptor), Susham Sharma (theatre artist), Dr Ved Kumari Ghai (scholar) and Vijay Suri (actor and writer). From Kashmir he gives you gripping anecdotes about men like Vasudev Reh (poet ), Makhan Lal Mahav (humour poet), T K Jalali (Vocalist and composer), Akhtar Mohiuddin (writer), Hari Kashmiri (film actor and producer), SomNathZutshi (short story writer), Prof Jia Lal Kaul (scholar), Prof T N Ganju ( scholar, linguist and astrologer ), Jagan Nath Saqi (radio artist). Noor Mohammad Kitab (bookseller and publisher), PranNath Butt (unknown artist) and Farooq Nazki (poet broadcaster). The most interesting person covered in this book happens to be nationalist and freedom fighter Dr Saifuddin Kichloo who chose to stay in India opposing the Two Nation theory.Mota reveals the humanism and compassion of Kichloo in surrendering his mansion in Amritsar to some Hindu refugees from Pakistan while personally moving to Delhi. We are told that Kichloo , the hero of Jalianwala Bagh has been the real and unsung architect of Indo Soviet Treaty. He was also honoured with the “Order of Lenin” by the Russians.
Most of the stories in this book are based on one to one interviews with the persons covered or with their family members. The reader becomes privy to some unknown and interesting facets of the personal life of the characters that Mota explores with skill and truthfulness. For instance Mota informs that commercial painter Santokh Singh has donated about 18 kanals of prime land in Jammu city for a crematorium. About poet Vasudev Reh, Mota writes ,” It was possibly 1975 or 1976, a Mushiara was held at Vishwa Bharati College, Rainawari. Dina Nath Nadim, Rehman Rahi, Ghulam Nabi Firaq, Vasudev Reh, Radhe Nath Masarat and many more poets attended this Mushiara. This author saw Nadim (who presided over the event) telling the audience that two more Nadims are in the poetic field today. One is from Maraaz (South) and the other is from Kamraaz (North) of Kashmir. He meant Radhey Nath Masarat and Vasudev Reh.”
Mota calls Vidhya Rattan Khajuria a pioneer of sculpture in the J&K. Weare informed that Susham Sharma was the most talented theatre artist of the state who received thunderous applause and standing ovation as she performed solo in VedRahi’s well-known Dogri play “Aale” for the “PANJ PAANI THEATRE FESTIVAL”at Lahore.The audience included many Dogri speaking elders who had migrated to Pakistan from Mast Garh, Sarajaan Di Dakki and other localities of Jammu city. Mota interviewed Susham Sharma before her death. The book informs about the ‘Art of Exile’ being created by Bhushen Kaul through his ‘The Studio of Exile’. From this studio emerged a series of paintings that were named, ” Rangoon Death”, “Cry “, “Exodus ” and “One Of These Days, Sky Will Break “. We also come to know the amazing contribution of Pandit T K Jalali as composer and vocalist who trained a generation of aspiring students. The book also informs us about the immense social service and compassion of Dr Girja Dhar.
The book highlights the acute shortage of novels in Kashmiri language. The break through of Chaman Lal Hakhoo, who came up with his 700-page Kashmir novel titled,’ Wasturvanuk Seh’ or ‘The Lion of Wasturvan’ is duly applauded. Hakhoo’s contribution in many other areas is also commended.
The book recollects thesincere and sweet feelings of Akhtar Mohiuddin, who in 1990 revealed to Motaji about the care and concern displayed by wife of Som Nath Zutshi to his wife during her pregnancy and after. The post delivery care called “Phott” in Kashmiri was sole work of Zutshi. Akhter emotionally and gratefully remembers the debt he owes to his sister Zutshi in this regard which in this life he can not repay?” says Akhter Mohiud din.
The book reveals the interesting anecdotes from the life of Jagan Nathsaqi, well-known radio and theatre artist from Kashmir .Saqi was nicknamed ‘Raasa-kath (dancing lamb) ‘ and ‘Jaga Angrez’ by Kashmiris for his humour and style . Farooqnazki finds special mention in the book. We are informed that Nazki would visit Bhagwan Gopi Nathji’s Ashram in Udhaywala in Jammu. Nazki’s feelings for the exiled Kashmiri Pandits as mentioned by him in his poetic collection ‘Naar Hyotun Kazalvanas ‘. that won him prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award .
“Mushukvalithaavvaavsontuk,
Dichinbashaarat.
Yimavqadamkaedgaravnebar,
Tim naaayeepheerith,
Na Tchhandisontan …”……………..(FarooqNazki )
(Bathed in perfume,
the spring has once again come this way,
bringing some good news.
Alas! Those who stepped out of their homes, did neither return?
Nor did this spring seek their whereabouts.)
The book is a treasure andI recommend this treasure trove to all.
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