#NirmalaSitharaman recited a Kashmiri poem during #Budget2020.
She read lines by Dina Nath Kaul, forgot he took on the name Nadim. Forgot that he came to prominence with an ode to Sheikh Abdullah. Forgot history in favour of superficial symbolism, like our govt. often does.
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She read lines by Dina Nath Kaul, forgot he took on the name Nadim. Forgot that he came to prominence with an ode to Sheikh Abdullah. Forgot history in favour of superficial symbolism, like our govt. often does.
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Dina Nath Kaul "Nadim" came to prominence in 1946, when he recited a poem to honour Sheikh Abdullah - who had just been released from prison.
One year later, he led the clarion call as part of the Cultural Front against the 1947 invasion.
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One year later, he led the clarion call as part of the Cultural Front against the 1947 invasion.
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Radio Kashmir was established in 1948. Suddenly, Kashmiri had a much bigger platform. It allowed the progressive writer's movement to move beyond poetry to short stories, operas, sonnets.
Nadim was one of the leading figures of that progressive writer's movements.
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Nadim was one of the leading figures of that progressive writer's movements.
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Most importantly, Dina Nath Kaul "Nadim" was one of the founding members of the Communist movement in Kashmir. He travelled to the USSR and China, contributing to Kwang Posh - a monthly Communist newsletter.
And #NirmalaSitharaman quoted him in #Budget2020. The irony.
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And #NirmalaSitharaman quoted him in #Budget2020. The irony.
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"The Soviet Land Nehru Award in 1971 ... found Nadim did not have a single book to his name ... Nadim was awarded for “the totality of his works”, without having to mention any title in particular — simply because there was none."
What a guy!
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indianexpress.com/article/india/…
What a guy!
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indianexpress.com/article/india/…
Despite not having a book to his name, Nadim's poetry was wildly popular.
In fact, Harivansh Rai Bachchan translated Nadim's poetry into Hindi and Kamleshwar compared him to a devadaru (the tallest tree) in the Kashmiri literary landscape.
(Also from @IndianExpress piece)
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In fact, Harivansh Rai Bachchan translated Nadim's poetry into Hindi and Kamleshwar compared him to a devadaru (the tallest tree) in the Kashmiri literary landscape.
(Also from @IndianExpress piece)
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Known for roaming around armed with Charminar cigarettes and scribble papers where he jotted down poetry, Nadim also got the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1987.
He died in 1989.
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He died in 1989.
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If #NirmalaSitharaman wanted to recite Nadim's verses at #Budget2020, should have recited from the eerily relevant "I will not sing" (tr. Sonam Kachru):
"For now warlord and the bureaucrat stand girt-about
With an eye on my Kashmir.
I will not sing—"
wordswithoutborders.org/article/june-2…
"For now warlord and the bureaucrat stand girt-about
With an eye on my Kashmir.
I will not sing—"
wordswithoutborders.org/article/june-2…
Important inputs by @searchkashmir added here:
1. Nadim lent credibility to Sheikh, they had a falling out later.
2. Efforts have been taken to appropriate him by many. All will fail unless you read Nadim extensively.
3. The translation by Sonam Kachru is a modern rendition.
1. Nadim lent credibility to Sheikh, they had a falling out later.
2. Efforts have been taken to appropriate him by many. All will fail unless you read Nadim extensively.
3. The translation by Sonam Kachru is a modern rendition.
