At the Foothills I gather my summer dreams tuck them in yearning for winter — my savior at the foothills hauling a burden of sanity I wander uphill, my delirious memories rest at the foothills a weaver worries, will pashmina slip through a razor-wire knot? At dawn, colored threads tremble … Read more →
Three poems by Shirin Bismillah
Fused Thoughts From Moscow to New Delhi — we attempted To paint the flakes of cloud, intruding in the Unknown territories, reading Kafka. Sparrows who had a crisp morning dialogue For the last twenty years — had been looking for An empty branch and some action in Sheikh Sarai. From … Read more →
Poverty
Showkat Ahmad Bhat ‘’ Congratulations! Gul Kaakh’’, Asad , his neighbor’s son said to him. Gul Chaan who was feeding his goat which was tied to a peg in the compound of his mud house grinned at Asad. He got confused for being congratulated and was desperate to know the … Read more →
India’s Dubious Games in Kashmir
Shafkat Raina In New Delhi before visiting Indian controlled Kashmir, the Indian Defence Minister issued a controversial statement that, “terrorists in the state (Kashmir) can be neutralised with the help of terrorists, why should we do it, why my soldiers have to do it”. The people who are well aware … Read more →
In Conversation with Masarat Alam
Masarat Alam Bhat, Chairman, Muslim League, part of the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani. He has spent most of the time since 1990 in prison, repeatedly charged with the draconian Public Safety Act. He is described by many as the successor of Syed Ali Geelani in Kashmir’s resistance … Read more →
Remembering Kamil
Majid Maqbool ‘Tikta lagith ta band lifaafa-n manz Be-patah khat chi daak-khana-ikaesi’ (Stamped and sealed in envelopes, We’re a post office’s letters without an address) Celebrated Kashmiri-American poet Agha Shahid Ali was 18 or younger, most likely a student in the University of Kashmir, when Amin Kamil wrote this famous … Read more →
Deluge, a narrative from Lelhar
Tavseef Mairaj It was the forenoon of Friday, 5 September and the network connectivity stands badly affected for the past couple of days. A text message somehow came through, from my mama. I replied, “Agricultural land is already under water and it is advancing.” This would be the last communication … Read more →
Four Poems by Farah Bashir
A Doppelgänger Then, you helped the lost ones overcome fear of floods urged them to forgive the river. Now, you curse the daffodils their violent scent makes you ache. ‘Who Your Fire Burns’ A neighbor heard you sing to me but you laughed not caring ‘jalte hain jiske liye’ I … Read more →
Journey of an activist in Azad Jammu & Kashmir
Tanveer Ahmed Having spent over 28 years of my life in Britain from the age of 4 as a 3rd generation immigrant, I decided to venture out to my roots at the age of 33 to Pakistani-administered Kashmir (Azad Jammu & Kashmir or AJK for short – described in English as … Read more →
Translations by Huzaifa Pandit
Dastoor, Habib Jalib Deep jis ka sirf mahellaat hi main jalay, Chand logon ki khushyon ko lay ker chalay, Wo jo saye main har maslihat kay palay; Aisay dastoor ko, Subh e bay noor ko, Main naheen maanta, Main naheen jaanta. Main bhee kha’if naheen takhta e daar say, Main … Read more →
The Cankered Rose
Ghulam Mohammad Khan On a small grassy mound in the midst of the paddy fields, under the deep sky that hung like a large inverted bowl, with stars like a sheet of dazzling diamonds artistically patched over it, we sat hopelessly whispering our distress. It was midnight, the dew had … Read more →
Kashmir, Indian Army and the election farce
Ashfaq Saraf “The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them.” ― Karl Marx Since its troops landed in Srinagar Indian state’s modus operandi in Kashmir has been in the likeness of a military expedition. From … Read more →
Kashmir Beyond Platitudes: The Responsibility to Protect
Dr. Gulam Nabi Fai Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream / I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been / To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen / They … Read more →
“There is no Justice for you” – Banned Talk in Kashmir
by Lina Wood Heading towards Srinagar downtown. The mobile vibrates. Come directly to the CCS office. The police have cancelled the talk. The Indian scholar Mridu Rai was supposed to speak on “Languages of Violence, Languages of Justice: the State and Insurgent Kashmir” this afternoon. A few hours before the … Read more →
Imagery Sprouts from Indefinite Memory
“I just forgot to ask my Uncle…” 92×69 cms Oil on Canvas Paintings & Text by Wajahat Hussain Rather The basic format of this composition is characterized by contrast, variety and dynamic asymmetrical balance, which strengthen the feeling generated by the individual elements. While our thoughts and feelings are often … Read more →
Meena Alexander
ON INDIAN ROAD In memory of Agha Shahid Ali, 1949-2001 I I have come drawn to water, Rooks in trees preparing for winter A glazed horseshoe dropped a century ago, Bits of arrowhead From those who lived on this land, Who thought the sun and moon beloved companions. We were … Read more →
Farah Bashir
AN EXPOSED BREAST Back to a void That fills lives To carry us over the abyss From another life Into spring ever the season Of empty streets No children No laughter No songs echo Freedom is a child A bride A child-bride A flower mutilated by a mortar A black … Read more →
Ta-Ha Mughal
I START TO TEASE MYSELF ABOUT EVERYTHING I walk barefoot on burning coals Children hoot and giggle I too hoot phyew phyooyew I too giggle khi’h khi’hh khi’hhh I look ugly naked I watch myself getting out of me I am in a labyrinth of mirrors I am in truth … Read more →
Fidioc
FROG IN A WELL The well is too shallow Water too cold Sometimes light reaches down Sometimes they keep it away Bricks and stones Are the only refuge I have Some flowers have bloomed Their color is black My croaks echo my fate— Stay forever in this well? Fidoic is … Read more →
Mushtaque Barq
AGAIN there’s a strike in Srinagar, paramilitary beating the iron, soft flesh of human hearts, using their special powers to kill. Again, clouds discover the sun and we are forced indoors, gates of isolation bolted, windows of pain flung open. Again, the breeze brings breaking news— a baby blinded in … Read more →
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