‘Body’ in Kashmiri Verse


Annigatti vanninam nanni kathe em lal-faroshan
Kanni manz draamo jawaharaey

In darkness,
that ruby-seller offered me
– naked words.
A stone split,
a gem was revealed.

~ Rasul Mir, 19th century

yas zali bad’nas ash’qun naar
su zaani kyah gov hijr-e-yaar,
Maqbool kornas dil nigaar

The body set on fire by love
it knows meaning of separation from love
it accepts an idol in place of heart.

~ from ‘Gulraiz’ by Maqbool Shah Qraalwari, (d. 1877) Kashmir. Based on work of Zia Nakhshabi, a 14th century Persian poet.

yas andra tundras naar tatae
matya kon aakh yaar sinjh vate

this body
inside
like an oven
slow burns.
Madman,
why
you didn’t find a way to
a friend?

~ Fakir Nyam Sahib (19th century, Srinagar)

Tanni Gom Rabaab
Gagan gayum taare
Zeer o Bum th’hovth’hum Cheero lo

My body now a Rabab
veins: the strings
From these you cleave out
notes
high and low

~ Rahim Sahib Sopore, 19th Century*

Cchi saazas zindagii hu’ndis rabaabas suu’ty kyah nesbat
Rabaabas jartu’ swn vanu’nas rabaab aval rabaab aa’khu’r

Life’s song to the Rabaab
Bears no relevance;
Rabaab is nothing, but a Rabaab
Even when gilted dense

~ Abdul Ahad Azad, 20th century

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* A parallel can be found verses of Kabir
saba raga tamti rababa tana, biraha bajavai 
nitta aura na koi suni sakai, kai saim kai citta
All the veins are the stings, the body is rabab. 
it plays the songs of separation. 
No one else can hear it. Either Lord or the Mind.

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