Rediscovering Rashid Nazki
Sufi Showkat
The tradition of Kashmiri poetry lies deep into the realms of Mysticism. If one accounts the beginning of Kashmiri poetry then we come across the unique way of expression of Shuti Kanth, Lal Ded, and Sheikh Noor-u-Din (RA), followed by a galaxy of poets and saint poets and consequently a unique tradition of poetry mingled with Mysticism. One cannot think Kashmiri poetry without the amalgamation of Mysticism. Even the most (may be the only) Romantic poet of Kashmir Rasool Mir could not resist giving his poetry a mystic touch:
یار دودے پھور شیخ منصورس : ان پران کھوت دارس تہ لولو
قد چون الف لام زلف میم دہن چُھوی : پور عقلہ سبق شکلہ الف لام نگارو
Going through the annals of Kashmiri poetry one could clearly find how this tradition overwhelmed the poets of different eras in different socio-political systems. From Vaakh, Vatchun and folk songs the Kashmiri poetry went through significant changes as far as poetic forms and styles are concerned. But the mystical essence was never devoid in any of the forms adopted by the poets.
The Twentieth Century witnessed a swift change in the Socio-Political setup in Kashmir so did the literature. The progressive movement in literature engulfed the Kashmiri literature a strong way and many poets adopted the genre of poetry which was alien in its essence and eventually contrasting to that of traditional Kashmiri Poetry.
For a time the progressive movement may have had weighed down the traditional mystic dimension of Kashmiri poetry, but some poets came through it in an ever illuminating fashion.
Among those let me take a brief account of a famous Mystic poet of our times who with his unique way of expression not only kept the torch of tradition aglow but is without any second thought a torch bearer for those who walk on the paths of mysticism.
Prof. Rashid Nazki is different and unique among his contemporaries in many ways but here we just account his wit and wisdom for keeping the mystic tradition in Kashmiri poetry alive, along with his contribution for throwing light on different dimensions of mysticism through his poetry.
Rashid Nazki is basically a mystic poet though apparently a Romantic and Aesthetic poet. It can be understood through his seemingly Romantic Ghazals, but the magical wand of mysticism comes into light when one opens the locks in the deepest parts of meanings in these Ghazals.
The Aesthetic and Romantic fragrance in Rashid Nazki’s poetry can be understood in the light of “Beauty and Love Mysticism”. So here it is worth mentioning that people who think Rashid Nazki a Romantic poet had actually stopped at shore and had not bothered to dive deep into the sea of meanings in his poetry.
Rashid Nazki has adopted the approach of Love and Beauty to reach the ultimate truth and he is actually very right in his approach. A very strong believer and a keen follower who with his vision is able to understand and see the world and paths leading to the ultimate reality which is beyond apprehension of sense and imagination.
یُس نہ زانکھ سُہ اضطراب دمے: یُس نہ وُچھمُت چھ یی سُہ خاب دمے
میانی پاٹھین اگر وجود لبکھ : زون کیاہ کتھ چھیہ آفتاب دمے
بہ چُھس نہ چانی پاٹھی زلف تہ خال ویژھناواں
یہ میون حُسنِ بیاں لاالہ الااللہ
This clearly indicates that there is a different dimension of meaning than what is actually appearing before us and this is the very nature of “Beauty Mysticism”. Rashid Nazki’s poetry has this very nature and blend. This particular dimension of poetry is in sync with the psyche of Kashmir and has been whole heartedly accepted throughout ages and this is true in Rashid Nazki’s case too. For him beauty is totally free from imperfection. Truth reflects from each beautiful mirror in this physical world and to an awakened eye everything that appears beautiful is only a reflection of that truth.
وساں سحر ییلہ چُھ پوشہ مالیُن سُہ دلنوازی اگر ژ وُچھہکھ
قیام سروک سجود سبزُک جبیں نوازی اگر ژ وُچھہکھ
A total devotion is the prerequisite to express love and affection for the beloved. Devotion towards truth (haqq) means love of that truth. The love for the truth can be achieved in many ways and Rashid Nazki adopted the path to love the Prophet(SAW) to achieve the love of ultimate reality. Rashid Nazki is at a higher level of consciousness where he has experienced the divine light and he expresses it with such impact that the reader feels the divine light within himself.
نور لٲ گتھ میہ دارِ کِنی آھم : پوش پھولھم تہ وارِ کنی آھم
دین و دنیا وندے پریتھ جلوس : یا مزمل سپارِ کِنی آھم
For him love is the essence of religion and highest moral virtues are born of man’s love for God. These moral virtues then leads a seeker closer towards the divine reality and that is the only desire of a true pilgrim on the path towards the divine end.
Love or “LOUL” is akin to Kashmir for Kashmiriyat is love, and Rashid Nazki puts the reader on the right track to achieve virtue through love and ultimately towards peace and tranquility.
The philosophical dimension of mysticism in Rashid Nazki’s poetry has remained a less debated subject. Some of his poems encompass the most difficult areas of mystic philosophy although these poems resonate in one’s mind like zen koan and finds himself held in awe and wonder. One feels himself entering in an immense world of mystery and miracles.
لٲلہِ وُچھ ٲنہ منز مجلون خانس : عینس تہٕ عٔلمس گوو یکسان
أچھرن مُیل گوو منز فُرقانس : نُورُک رَو چُھے پانس تام
The Night Journey (Isra) of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) is the primary account of mysticism for the pilgrim(Saalik) and Rashid Nazki has mastered to explain it for them for he put forward the kernel of this journey. His poetic expression in his Nazm “Isra” makes it the magnum opus among his poetic works.
پریتھ مکانس وونُکھ زِ گردش بند : پریتھ اُفق ووت تا بحد اند اند
شش جہاتس سپُن کُنے یکسان : أچھ وزِس منز غٲب گے اَسمان
Rashid Nazki strongly feels and reminds us to focus on this world, the place of responsibility and obligation. To represent truth and deny falsehood one is supposed to remain here in this world. That is why he gives emphasis on the doctrine of “Baqqa” to guide the humans, and that may be the fact that we does not come across the terms of “Fanna”, though he has thrown light on the pains and sufferings of a “Saalik” unto the gates of “Baqqa” and the achievement to get beyond the illusions of time and space.
ضربہٕ روس ضربچ دگ للہٕ نٲوٕم ؛ تگہِ تگہ تھٲوِم لاننی نیاے
رگہِ رگہِ پھرکہٕ وُن پارُد چھووم : اَدٕ پتھ ترووُم دوہہ کیو راتھ
For him returning back and manifesting Divine among the brethren is better than being absorbed in God. By following the doctrine of “Baqqa” Rashid Nazki not only made his work an unsurpassed glory in Modern Kashmiri poetry but inspired many to unfold the mysteries and seek harmony of heart in years to come. Rashid Nazki remained an icon for the next generation poets who write mystic oriented poetry and the most inspiring fact about him is that he never lost the hold on Kashmiri Tradition and human values, which indeed is most demanding virtue in these modern times of chaos and confusion.
نازُکس غزلس چُھ رَخ بدلےٕ؛ بدل پٲٹھی کتھ کران
زانہٕ وٕنی کُنہِ ساتہٕ زانن پوشہٕ پیٹھی دُردانہ ووتھ
