Abdul Gani Qazi, better known by his penname Nadeem, was a Kashmiri poet, translator & critic. A decade after his death, few could have expected that Nadeem would have left the Kashmiri society without publishing his great work. On 15th October 2018, the book ‘Hamsoas’ was released to the public by his son. The book is a collection of Nadeem’s well poems all written in pure Kashmiri.
After Nadeem’s death, the cultural academy that he so devotedly worked for 30 years life made no effort to collect and publish his poetry. The literary magazine ‘Sheraza’, which was once headed by Nadeem, also didn’t print any special number on his works. In such circumstances, Nadeem would have only said:
“Mashrowthasa addi paerr lagai,
Yini aenni labban manzz nazri ghasai”
Nadeem was born on 18th April 1940 to Kashmir’s renowned business family of Haji Abdul Aziz Qazi & Bros at Baha-ud-din Saheb, Nauhatta, Srinagar. His father Khawja Abdul Ahad Qazi (1901-75) was the leading importer/exporter during the British era and exported wool to Great Britain via Karachi port. His mother Raja Begum (1910-1982), daughter of Qazi-e-Waqt Ghulam Ahmad Qazi was ‘Hafizi Quran’ and known for her philanthropic works in downtown locality. Nadeem’s great-grandfather Khawja Mohammad Akram Qazi traces back the origin to Qazi Mir Mohammed Ali, who came to Kashmir from Bukhara during Shahmiri Sultan Sikander’s reign (1389-1417) to head the newly established Islamic college, near Jamia Masjid Srinagar.
1950s – Qazi’s business house
Nadeem received his early education from Islamia High School, Rajouri Kadal. After passing matriculation in 1958, he did ‘Adeeb Mahir’ and ‘Adeeb Kamil’ from Jamia Urdu Aligarh. Nadeem then joined Kashmir’s prestigious Sri Pratap College where he completed his B.A(Hons) in English Literature and later pursued further higher studies from University of Jammu & Kashmir.
When Nadeem was studying in college, his house was frequently visited by several well-known Kashmiri literary figures, including Prof. Rahman Rahi and Prof. Ghulam Nabi Firaq. Nadeem and his sister would spend their afternoons at the Qazi Manzil learning from these individuals. Such was the popularity of these afternoons, they soon became a venue for other keen literary students to attend and seek out knowledge.
1963 – Nadeem with Prof Ghulam Nabi Firaq(1922-2016)
Nadeem burst upon the literary scene in 1963, a period when Kashmir was experiencing historic political changes. Sheikh Abdullah was in jail and Plebiscite Front led by Mirza Afzal Beig was at the forefront for fighting Kashmir cause. Nadeem’s father Abdul Ahad Qazi was Sheikh Abdullah’s friend since his school days and supported him through thick and thin. Being on the side of Sheikh Abdullah, the Qazi’s paid the price. The Bakshi regime took over the ancestral Qazi Bagh land at Hawal from the Qazi’s and established Islamia College in 1961.
On 13th June, 1968, Nadeem began his career as a research assistant in the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. The academy had been established in 1958 by Prime Minister Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad with Mirza Kamal-ud-din Shaida its first Secretary. Nadeem was briefly associated with the Progressive Writers’ Association during his career in the academy. Nadeem as an editor of Kashmiri Language had taken in hand the publication of Project “Encyclopaedia Kashmiriana”. Four volumes of this encyclopaedia have been published so far covering the following areas:
1. Kashmir Archaeology & Architecture Volume I
2. Kashmir Archaeology, Architecture & Coins Volume II
3. Kashmir Handicrafts Volume III
4. Kashmiri Language & Literature Volume IV
Nadeem was in charge of Project ‘Kashmiri Dictionary’. He contributed his time and efforts to have Kashmir’s own dictionary. Having good sense of research Nadeem had deep insight into the Kashmiri arts and crafts as he was quite interested in the subject of Sufi poetry, especially of Kashmir region. Nadeem was in-charge editor of Sheraza, the literary journal of the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. Nadeem was associated with several Kashmiri literary magazines like ‘Neab’, “Soun Adab’, ‘Pratap’, ‘Gaash’, ‘Wattan’, ‘Koshur adab’ where his composed poems were published in several issues during 1960’s and 1970’s. Nadeem would be part of every Kashmiri Mushaira’s in and outside Kashmir for his extra-ordinary oratory skills. The listeners of his words were never short of applause after hearing him speak.
In 1976, Prof Shams-ud-din Ahmad of Kashmir University organised a historic Kashmiri Mushaira in Iqbal Hall. The grand event was attended by famous poets including Akbar Jaipuri who was also the guest of honor. During the evening, Nadeem mesmerized the whole audience with his new poem ‘Ma Wenn Nadeemus kenh’. The poem became an overnight success among the Kashmiri literary circles. During the turbulent 1990’s Nadeem held additional charge of Manager of prestigious Tagore Hall, Srinagar from Sep 1995 to April 1998, where he tried his best to promote art, culture and traditions of the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
Bashir Budgami, Kashmir’s renowned producer and director, says about Nadeem; “besides being a good poet he had an extraordinary taranum, melodious voice. I used to book him in my literary programme ‘Sonzal’ frequently. He was a handsome man and we were very informal with each other. I used to love his carelessness.” Nadeem’s another friend G.R Hasrat Gadda says, “that Nadeem was a modest poet, he never differentiated between family and friends. He always treated everyone with the same respect and affection”.
In his lifetime, Nadeem married twice and is survived by his only son, Sami Ullah Qazi. After his retirement in 1998 as Editor (Kashmiri) from J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, he completely withdrew from literary world. In 2008, Nadeem was diagnosed with lung carcinoma, despite continuous treatment at various hospitals throughout India, there was no improvement in his health and on the morning of 08th December 2008 (9th Zil-Hajj 1429 AH) he passed away. He was buried in his ancestral graveyard at Gojwara, Srinagar.
“Raeti raatus thorum mei taarakh nabb
taarkun hiund shumaar matti prichtav
Kainsi aasi ni yich tanhayi
Chem achen tal nigar matti prichtav”
Conclusion:
Nadeem was the unacknowledged poet of Kashmir. He had strong morals and would never forsake his principles for meager benefits. It is with great sadness that individuals like Nadeem, who have made life long and historic contributions to the Kashmiri culture, are given no appreciation. We need to remember such people and give them the recognition they so rightly deserve.
samiullahqazi@hotmail.com