It is not exactly known who discovered the art of making candles but the Chinese and the Indians have known this art for centuries. The candles are still used extensively throughout the world but with varying cultures and and economic and social status their utility also changes. For example in affluent parts of the world, their sole purpose is that of decoration and candle-light dinners.
While as, in the third world countries, the story is altogether different. Where Edison's invention ( the light  bulb) is hardly allowed to show its talent of glowing and scheduled power cuts are a norm, this piece of wax hiding a wick in its heart plays a vital role especially in the long and dreary winter nights.
Though the power cuts (vaer in Kashmiri) are a grave concern for all the people especially in our 'paradise on earth' and the problems caused by it especially in Chilai-Kalan are beyond mention.
But has anyone ever realized the peace and serenity which prevails over the living rooms during those 'vaer' hours. No TV, no music systems. All the family members sitting in one room talking or listening to the radio or simply taking a nap or taking 'candle-light' dinners not in any five-star hotel but their barely furnished  living rooms or kitchens – that is a treat to watch.
        For me, those hours  have been 'a blessing in disguise', as in my childhood I would engage myself in....... reading books. Not necessarily my school text books but all kinds of them like mysteries, classics, autobiographies etc.
I have a  vivid memory of my second standard where during a 'vaer' while doing my drawing home work I painted a bear purple instead of brown and got a 'Poor' remark from Mrs. Satwant, my class teacher. Although candles are no longer used as often as they used to be and their use might have become limited to drawing rooms (perfumed candles)  or Dargahs or graveyards. Although they  have long been replaced by  gas-lamps, generators, solar lights and inverters and what not....  there is still something fascinating about the candle. The attraction it holds for the moth (parvaana)  which has given a romantic topic to almost every poet to scribble a few lines on 'shama and parvana'.
Well, some may call me stupid and some crazy, if I confess something. Last night I turned off the lights of my room took out a candle, lit it and then started reading in the candle light .........and  tried to revive the old memories.   

Lab pe aati hai dua banke tamanna meri ,
Zendagi shama ki surat ho Khodaya meri'
Door dunya ka mere damm se andhera hojayey,
Harr jageh mere chamakne se ujala hojayey
( Amen)

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Lastupdate on : Sun, 3 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 3 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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