in bits and pieces
Manuscript in National Library of Iran. [Link]
Another Rajatarangini available in the library:
चित मे अश्वमेध यग्न संपन हुआ
कुछ देश बसे कुछ लोग उजडे
Tse Yewaan Roshe Chhukh, Nata, Hosh Dalayoo Madano
Be Rivaan Harn’e Cheshman, Sorma Chalaayoo Madano
Are you coming my beloved? Or else, should I lose my senses, my love
Are you coming or should I weep the collyrium off my gazelle eyes, my love
Ashkin ha Daadi Hyotnam Naar Paanas, Khaak me Gov
Ashkay Aab’nabad Zan Bo galaayoo Madano
Sick of Love, my body on fire, it turns to Ash
My tears dissolve me, like a lump of sugar in water, my love
Tse Yewaan Roshe Chhukh, Nata, Hosh Dalayoo Madano
You stole my chaste heart, a fairy I, but now I am spoiled
I shall rub these ashes to my body, and run away, my love.
Gonchi zan Nyeer Fatith, Fair Gil Zan Pardhi Tchatith
Be chyanee Khaar Gasith, do Baar Pholoyoo, Madano
Like a flower blooms, tearing the veil, I shall roam
In your name I be destroyed, you blossom again, my Love
[Updated with corrections suggested by Muneeb Haroon and Asma Shaw]
Rivaan: crying
Harn’e Cheshman: gazelle eyes
In 2003 when my late maternal grandfather Pandit Jia Lal Khushoo’s ancestral home at Exchange Road, Srinagar was sold, his vast collection of books also had to be appropriately disposed. The books included discourses in English on History, Literature, Indian Philosophy, Religion, bound copies of periodicals as well as some printed books in Persian/Urdu and hand-bound manuscripts in Persian, Urdu and Sharda. The Urdu and Persian manuscripts were rendered in beautiful calligraphy by Pandit Shridhar Khushoo, who was Pandit Jia Lal Khushoo’s grandfather. My grandfather himself was an avid reader proficient in English, Hindi, Kashmiri, Urdu and Sharda. He retired as the Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K.
The books in English were donated to the Jammu University Library as per the family’s decision. Those in Persian, Urdu and Sharda were retained to be gifted to a more suitable recipient. They were kept in storage with my mother in Pune, on behalf of the Khushoo clan. When I learnt about the existence of these rare works recently, I inspected them. I am not literate in Persian, Urdu or Sharda but my grandfather had fortunately annotated each of them in English. This led me to realize that these books were most suited for an institution like the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune. They are now in the process of being formally handed over to the Institute.
Information about the books was provided by various readers of FB: SearchKashmir, particularly Ayaz Rasool Nazki and Ovais Ahmad.
All the info. is compiled below:
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| Dewan-i-Hafiz published by Munshi Nawal Kishore Press Nawal Kishore was based in Lucknow. Published books in Persian/Urdu including those by Chakbast/Sarshar etc. |
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| Shivalagan and Valmiki Ramayan in Kashmiri ( in Urdu/Persian) from a copy by calligrapher Pandit Shridhar Khushoo. |
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Srimad Bhagwat Gita in Urdu , (Ganpat Karit ? ) Doesnt give the name of translator.
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| Back of the same book |
It was published at ‘Gulzar-e-Hind’ Press in Lahore under the supervision of Munshi Gulzar Muhammad, Manager of the press. Published as desired by Haji Chiragudin, Sirajudin, Booksellers , Lahore, Bazar Kashmiri.
Sikandarnama in Persian, handwritten by Pandit Shridhar Khushoo
Top of the front cover has “Om Shri Ganesha Nama” while the lower half glorifies Allah and offers supplication to Prophet Muhammad.
Translation of Mahabharata in Urdu by Malik-u-sho’arā (Poet Laureate) Munshi Dwarka Prashad (Nom de plume – Ufaq Lakhnavi). Published posthumously by M/S Lala Ram Dutta Mal and sons from Kashi Ram Press Lahore. 1926.
A page from ‘Dashmas Kandas’ (90 Adhayas) of Bhagwat Gita in Persian handwritten by Pandit Shridhar Khushoo.
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| Sea front at Apollo Bunder, Mumbai |
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| Pan Shop, Pune |
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| Craft Shop, Mahabaleshwar, Satara district, Maharashtra |
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| Abandoned Pandit houses in a village on route to Pahalgam |
