I fell in love with the word GAMI so adopted it as my Pen name
Mehmood Gami, the 19th century Sufi poet of Kashmir, born at Dooru Shahabad in 1765 A.D and passed away in 1855 A.D. Shahabad, then called Ver Pargana (Verinag), is one of the ancient villages of valley Kashmir. When Mughal Emperor Jahangir along with his wife Queen Noor Jahaan visited Kashmir, they were mesmerized by the heavenly incomparable beauty which changed their mind and both decided to stay at Verinag (a town in district Anantnag) for a while to take some pleasure in the lap of nature. A main tourist attraction of this place is Verinag Spring; the place is named for the said spring. The spring gets its crystal clear water from the bottom of a piece of elevated mountain and is believed to be the source of Jhelum.
In early nineties Jehangir started the work of construction of the place, decorated Verinag, implanted Chinar trees in the park and reconstructed spring Verinag beautifully. His wife Noor Jahaan visited the place wholly and found herself in profound love with the blessed nature and eventually named it Shahabad.
Arawadri (presently Mehmoodabad) is a hamlet situated at the bank of river Bringie in Shahabad which is also birth place of Mehmood Gami, the village was an ignored area. In 1960’s, when Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad was Prime Minister of J&K State, in a mishap the whole village got badly damaged due to massive fire. Government remained quite concerned towards the village. When Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad personally visited the village Arawadri he came to know that the village is the birth place of legendary poet Mehmood Gami, he was surprised to see the awful condition of Gami’s village. He supplied huge quantity of daily use stuff to the inhabitants, reconstructed the village and Aastaan-i-Aaliya of Mehmood Gami and changed its name from Arawadri to Mehmoodabad.
Rooshi Walo Poosh Ha Lagai
Gosh Thavtham Wanyoo Zaari
Come and I will deck you with flowers,
Pay heed to my pleas.
Shaani Zulfan Karith Yanie
Shaaki Sumbul Beun Beun TChi Tanie
Paani Zanakh Bi Kya Wanie
Jaan Dilas TChem Bekarari
Whence you designed your tresses
One by one like branches of hyacinth flower,
You know better, what shall I utter?
Oh dear! My heart is twitchy.
Yaar Gomut Pampore Vatay
Kong Poshav Rott Naali Matay
Su Tchum Tatay Bi Tchuss Yatay
Bar Sahiboo Booztam Zaari
My beloved has gone to Pampore
Where saffron flowers have kept him in bosoms,
He is there and here am I
Oh my lord! Listen to my pleas.
Yembarzul Tchai Khumaar Barith
Sharmi Seeth Kaerr Bun Kun Karith
Harni Gai Dar Jangal Marith
Merr Tem Tchani Cheshmai Khumari
Daffodil is amply intoxicated
And has hung head in shame,
Cervids died in jungles
Your bibulous eyes killed them.
Zar Zaijthass Kota Zaarie
Maati Kerthas Hee Zan Barie
Bar Kerthas Kith Ven Darie
Mehmoodas Booztoo Zaari
Febrility of love burnt me, how would I endure!
Ah dear! You ruined me like fallen jasmine (in autumn),
Shattered am I, how would I survive now?
Listen to the pleas of Mehmood.
Mehmood Gami, the name is familiar throughout valley; he got high reputation because of his multidimensional endowment of writing. He wrote for everyone’s taste in almost all forms of poetry in Kashmiri. Traditional songs, Mathnavi, Vatsun, Ghazal, Naat etc. although his keenest boon dwells in the field of Mathnavi. His powerful and prestigious verses in the unconditional love of Prophet Muhammad Salallahu Alayhi Wasalam enter reader’s heart with great love and affection. He has also composed unique and inimitable verses in the honor of many Sufi saints. Here a beautiful poem penned in the honor of Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (R.A), the king of all Awaliya Allah.
TChukh Aalman Badshah,
Ya Abdul Qadira
Beydaad Gomut TChum Setha,
Ya Abdul Qadira
You are the king of all worlds,
O Abdul Qadir!
My pleas are not being resolved,
O Abdul Qadir!
Aaseh Gaman Manz Su Geer
Yes Aaseh Raazi Dastigeer
Yuth Peer-e- Kamil Bey Nazeer
Dast Rath Abdul Qadira
How would he be in grief!
With whom Dastigeer is contented,
The peerless perfect (blessed) mentor like you
Hold my hand O Abdul Qadir!
Aagoo Mya Kun Kar Akh Nazar
Khakas Banem Bayshakh Mya Zar
Shobaan Choni Tchum Thazar
Abdaal Abdul Qadira
Have a glance towards me O Mentor!
Certainly my dust will turn into gold,
How beautiful your highness looks!
O Perfect Mentor Abdul Qadir!
Pathar Paymtan Thudh Tuliv
Nazar-e- Nigah Aaseh Kun Kariv
Nalaan Bo Tchuss Kass Wanie
Abdaal Abdul Qadira
Lend your hand to the divested
Have a peep full of blessings towards us,
I’m calling you, whom else shall I tell!
O Perfect Mentor Abdul Qadir!
In Mehmood Gami’s childhood Persian was commanding language in Kashmir and most of the people used to read and write in Persian. Mehmood Gami belonged to a poor family yet his father sent him to Madrasa (school), where every alphabet was being taught in Persian language. Gami learnt Persian language in tender age and got firm grip on the language but still was very fond of writing in his own mother tongue. He was the first poet who translated several Persian books into Kashmiri including widely known and esteemed “Laila Majnu” which is considered as most famous and illustrious book achieved majestic fame across valley.
Aaw Mehmood Gadha
Sada Bozum Madan Vaaro
Gascte Bozeth Pasey Khuda
Maerr Manday Madan Vaaro
Kar Saa Myon Nyaay Andey
Maerr Manday Madan Vaaro
Like a beggar Mehmoood has come,
Pay heed to my appeal, Oh My beloved!
For God Sake listen to my plea,
O My sweet dear beloved!
When shall my problem get redressed?
O My sweet dear beloved!
Once Mehmood Gami was on his way to Madrasa where he came across a thirsty Saintly man who asked him for some water but he was carrying no water with him so he went back home to fetch some water, instead of water he brought a cup of milk for the thirsty saint. Mehmood Gami served the cup of milk to the saint who sipped half of milk and rest served back to child Mehmood Gami and asked him to drink. When he drank the other half cup of milk, he found himself wholly fuddled and perplexed. After getting the consciousness back he did not find the saint around, he searched for him everywhere but could not locate. This quest granted Gami a spark of initiation and he composed his first verse in separation of his beloved saint who washed his innerself with a sip of milk and filled his heart with the love of God.
Choori Yaar Cholum Tye Tuhi Ma Duethwon
Dooran TChu Maraan Graie Lo Lo
Secretly my beloved scarpered, did you see him?
Earrings he is wearing and shaking them.
Mehmood Gami was deeply inclined towards Kashmiri language and he took the step to write Persian form of Mathnavi (Masnavi) and Ghazal in Kashmiri poetry nonetheless he was well versed in Persian as well as in Arabic and had intensely studied Persian poets particularly Moulana Jami and Nizami.
Sir Bi Wandai TChukh Soun Sardar
Ya Rasool Asalaam Alaik
Chean Tareef Karaan Jami
Chean Sifaat Wanan Nizami
Wen Kya Weni Mehmood Gami
Ya Rasool Asalaam Alaik
You are our leader, I shall sacrifice my head for you,
Greetings to you Ya Rasul Salallahu Alayhi Wasalam
Hazrat Mawlana Jami admires you
Nizami tells about the holy qualities of you
What shall Mehmood Gami say now?
Greetings to You Ya Rasul Salallahu Alayhi Wasalam
Mehmood Gami was a Sufi of great competence, had firm grip on languages and was fond of debates and discussions. He was extremely respected and loved by his disciples. He was broad minded, jolly, witty and straightforward man used to mix-up with the people promptly.
In ancient times there used to be a tradition of women singing till late hours of night or entire night on some special occasions. Gami also used to participate and sing his verses (Wanwun) on such occasions, which is one of the reasons people got his poetry memorized.
According to oral lore once Mehmood Gami dressed like a woman was dancing (Roff) and singing his composed lyrics with other women of the vicinity. His beloved was also present there. He spent whole night singing and dancing and at the crack of dawn he dedicated some beautiful verses to his beloved.
Mehmood Gami TChuie Cxi Aamut Sawaley
Sawal-i-Khuda TChuie Yoor Wal Badwal Jamaaliaye
Mehmood Gami has come here for nothing but you
For Allah’s sake come to me Oh My sweetheart beloved!
Let me tell this adorable tale that how Mehmood became Mehmood Gami. Once Mehmood got an invitation for a Mushaira (literary function) which was to be celebrated at Srinagar. Great writers, poets and philosophers of the time attended the function who recited their latest and best verses to impress one another. Majority of the writers and poets of the time used to write in Persian so obviously recited their lyrics in Persian. When Mehmood had his turn he recited some of his best verses in Kashmiri language, other poets present in the function laughed and teased him for reciting in villager’s language (Kashmiri) and started to tease him by calling GAMI (villager) but Mehmood Gami was a man with great intellect, he added the word Gami to his name and said, “I fell in love with the word GAMI so adopted it as my Pen name”. From that day Mehmood became Mehmood Gami, from the last two centuries this name is renowned and well-known all around the valley among readers and listeners of Kashmiri poetry particularly Sufi music lovers and the people who used to irritate Mehmood Gami remained unknown.
Kativ Tchukh Nundi Baaney
Waloo Maashoki Miyaney
Mya Kurr Na Channi Chaney
Waloo Maashoki Miyaney
Where are you my sweetheart beloved?
Come to me, Oh My dear love!
I call you and I search only you
Come to me, Oh My dear love!
According to oral traditions legendry romantic poet of Kashmir Rasul Mir hailed from Dooru (a native village of Mehmoodabad). In tender age he used to visit Mehmood Gami quite often and had many debates and discussions with him. When in a Mehfil Rasul Mir first time recited some of his verses, it left everyone stunned even Mehmood Gami was astonished to hear such melodious voice and eminent peak of romantic poetry.
After the event Mehmood Gami stated about Rasul Mir, “Rasul Mir will be one of the greatest poets of Kashmir, he is having vast and striking grip on words and rhythm, such greatness comes to a man after crossing the age of 40, but Rasul Mir is a destined blessed divine poet who is poetizing such great verses at an early age and for that reason he will not outlive till ripe age because some things should remain veiled”. History has witnessed the words of Mehmood Gami, Rasul Mir died at very young age.
(There is uncertainty between historians about Rasul Mir’s age; some historians write that he died at the age of 68 while others say that Rasul Mir died at a very young age of 37, according to oral lore which most of the people believe is true, that he left this world at a young age).
Rasul Mir was deeply influenced by Mehmood Gami and regarded him as his spiritual guide. When Rasul Mir was enjoying the peaks of his poetry and had acquired reputation throughout Kashmir he got stuck while writing one of his famous Ghazal:
Thare Zan Poosh Harie Kael
Bale Marieye Ma Roosh
Today or tomorrow I shall fall like blossoms in autumn
For my sake don’t be annoyed or I shall die.
He got jammed on the concluding couplet of ghazal in which poet mentions his name, he cerebrated for a long time but pertinent words were not coming to his mind. When nothing was coming his way he decided to visit his spiritual guide Mehmood Gami who had already left the world. When Rasul Mir reached the grave of his Murshid, he bowed and kept his head on the grave for some time. He fell asleep and had a dream in which he saw Mehmood Gami who assisted him to compose the last couplet of his Ghazal. The verse is:
Matche Nindrey Manz Hi Kail
Patchi Aatash Gundnam
Metchi Rasul Mir Aatchi Ma Kail
Beal Mariye My Roosh
In deep sleep he evoked my
heart with ambitious passion
Rasul Mir may die in few days
Oh my beloved! Don’t be annoyed.
Mehmood Gami earned utmost esteem and honor by Yousuf Zulaikha (Masnavi) one of the pioneers in his writings and is regarded as one of his superlative contributions to Kashmiri literature. Yousuf Zulaikha is comprised of 700 verses and is first and most popular Masnavi in Kashmir.
Mehmood Gami was very much interested in folktales and traditions. He had the potential to fathom the tradition and recreate it in his own grand style. He not only inspired his peers but also the poets of the upcoming generations.
Muslim poets around the globe who were blessed with optimum skills of writing have wrote poems in the praise of Prophet (PBUH) from which a rich tradition of literature sprang.
Mehmood Gami has also composed many Naat-e-Sharief (Exalted Poetry) in the honor of Holy Prophet Muhammad Salallahu Alayhi Wasalam, The Mercy to the whole Creation, which are still being loved, recited and sung in all Samma Mehfils (music session).
Meherbaan Gasti Baman Ya Muhammad
Bi Wandie Sir Qadaman Ya Muhammad
Bless my heart with thy blessing O Muhammad!
I shall sacrifice my head under thy feet O Muhammad!
Shab-e- Miraj Cxaie Path Iqtida Gow
Nabi Heth Adaman, Ya Muhammad
On the night of Miraj (ascension) they followed you,
All Prophets including Adam O Muhammad!
Nazar Yaam Cxi Travith Surmi Cheshmav
Phulai Lej Baadman, Ya Muhammad
When you glanced with kohl eyes,
Almond buds bloomed O Muhammad!
Mubarak Silsilai Qadri Tchum
Bi Tchuss Teath Razi Lamaan, Ya Muhammad
Pleased I am, being a follower of Qadiriyya,
Holding I’m to that rope O Muhammad!
Cxi Yikh Na Roosh Peath Toshi Kota
Mya Kermai Poshi Chaman, Ya Muhammad
How pleased I would be, secretly if you come!
I have adorned flower beds for you O Muhammad!
Wazil Wueth Chean Deeshith Rang Tchu Rutmut
Gulaban Yoosman Ya Muhammad
From your red lips they have taken color
Roses Yoosman O Muhammad!
Dapaan TChuss Rooz Tati Yeti Rozeh Chooni
Wuchath Azz Burdeh Yaman, Ya Muhammad
I yearn to stay there where you dwell
And witness you without veil, face to face, O Muhammad!
Cxi Tchukh Na Kaaba Tai Qibli Myoni
Bi Dimai Sajdi Buman Ya Muhammad
You are my Kaaba and the direction of my prayers,
I bow before your blessed eyebrows O Muhammad!
(Eyebrows are here Symbolical)
Ummati Choon Tchui Mehmood Gami
Su Tchui Cxaie Pati Nyaman Ya Muhammad
Mehmood Gami is your follower
He bows his head behind you O Muhammad!
Mehmood Gami used to remain utterly absorbed in meditation and was blessed with many spiritual powers, there is tremendous spiritual depth in his poetry even few saints could accomplish such great powers where they get hold on “Tie Zamaanie wa Tie Mekaamie”(grip on time and space).
Once Mehmood Gami with his disciples was in “Mehfil-e-Samma”, samma was at its zenith when a disciple asked Mehmood Gami if they had visited Hazratbal (Dargah Sharief) for Deedaar (witness the presence) of “Moi-e-Muqqadas” (Holy Relic of Prophet Mohammad S.A.W), but the sacred day was to be celebrated on the same day, for the presence they should had left a day before because it was not possible to reach by foot in time then. Mehmood Gami with smiling face and shining eyes said to his disciples,
“Do you wish to attend the celebration of Moi-e-Muqqadas at Hazratbal”,
“We would love to but is impossible now”, disciples replied,
Mehmood Gami went into deep meditation and said his disciples,
“Close your eyes”,
all disciples closed their eyes, and after a moment asked them to open their eyes. When disciples opened eyes they found themselves present at “Teilbal” (place nearby Hazratbal) and they could see Dargah Sharief few steps ahead of them. They were astounded to witness such spiritual power of their Murshid (guide, teacher). All the disciples had deedar and were extremely grateful to their Murshid who let them witness “Moi-e-Muqqadas” with the help of his mystic powers (“Tie Zamaanie wa Tie Mekaamie” hold on time and space).
Imran Yousuf is a writer based in Anchidora Anantnag
Email: [email protected]
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