As an English literature major with a background in British classics, it never occurred to me that I would explore any Kashmiri literature. I barely knew any Kashmiri writers, and I had never tried to venture into it. One day, while deciding on my dissertation topic, I stumbled upon a book titled “Na Thsay Na Aks.” It was an anthology of poetry by a Kashmiri writer. Since it was written in Kashmiri, I had difficulty reading it. All I could read were a few opening lines of the first poem. However, these few lines were so profoundly moving that they compelled me to get an English translation of the book and write my thesis. This was the breakthrough in my scholarly endeavors, and I learned about Naseem Shafaie, the author of this masterpiece. Naseem, a paragon of wisdom and an embodiment of compassion, inspired me with her adherence to Kashmiri culture. My conversation with her was a decisive moment in my research during my master’s program in 2022. I spoke with her over a phone call, and later we exchanged messages to gain a deeper understanding of her book, “Na Thsay Na Aks” (Neither a Shadow Nor a Reflection), and her life. Those discussions had a profound impact on me as a person and as a literature enthusiast. Naseem’s expertise in the Kashmiri language is unparalleled, and her ability to reveal her inner self in her poems is remarkable. Her resistance to traditions and patriarchal structures, her fortitude to challenge the superiority of men in society, and her courage to break free from limitations thoroughly impressed me. Surprisingly, she never disrupted the delicate balance of social fabric. Her calm and compassionate disposition left a lasting impression on me, communicated with effortless elegance.
Naseem Shafaie, a 21st-century poetess, has made significant contributions to Kashmiri language and literature. She is a beacon of hope for Kashmiri women and a feminist torchbearer of Kashmir. Naseem has authored two poetry books in the Kashmiri language: “Daarichi Mitchrith,” published in 1999, and “Na Thsay Na Aks” in 2007, which earned her the Sahitya Akademi Award. She has recently been nominated for the Chiraag-i-Sukhan Award for her acclaimed book “Bu Vanyeth Zaan Kaas.” Her verses offer hope and emotional strength to all. As the Kashmiri language and culture gradually fade from our lives and institutions today, writers like Naseem Shafaie make meaningful impacts to safeguard and preserve it through their literary efforts.
During my research on her book, “Neither a Shadow Nor a Reflection,” my interest in Kashmiri literature blossomed. It was through her writing that I discovered a deep appreciation for Kashmiri literature. As an avid reader of British and American literature, I was amazed to stumble upon the wealth of Kashmiri literature and its hidden gems. Writers like Naseem Shafaie, Feroz Rather, Mehjoor, Rehman Rahi, and Basharat Peer inspire me greatly. Naseem’s poetry urges you on a mission of self-discovery, identity, and purpose. Her feminist-themed poetry encourages you to embrace your individuality. In her works, she emerges as a powerful voice for Kashmiri women, portraying her experiences in various roles, including that of a wife, a mother, and a daughter. Her seriousness, poetic sensibility, and use of language add power to her poetry. Her feminist approach raises awareness in her works, providing a window into the history of Kashmiri women and their complex lives. In her poetry, readers encounter recurring images of death, pain, and bloodshed. Identity crises, self-realization, women’s marginalization, and patriarchal dominance are common themes in her poetry. Her style of writing evokes comparisons to that of African writer Margaret Walker; like her, she employs simple language to convey profound emotions.
Among her many poems, some lines that resonate with me are:
She is somewhere like a queen
with power at her feet
and somewhere she is like a maid,
worthless and valueless.
In another poem called “The Last Morsel,” where she discusses the plight of a wife, she writes:
I will catch hold of you on the day of judgment and demand answers to all my queries.
Before I could say all this and make him feel shame,
I saw him leaving the door, the window, the glass pane, the house.
In a poem titled “The Girl Child,” she writes:
When patient, she becomes a Lal Ded—a symbol of modesty, and if she revolts, a slut she is.
Naseem’s poetic legacy continues to inspire me. She is influencing new generations and serves as a modern ambassador of the Kashmiri language, promoting and representing Kashmiri language and culture through her work. People, especially the youth, should explore her writings. As Kashmiris, we should take pride in our language and honor our rich literary heritage, encouraging our children to engage with it.
Mehnaza Rashid
The author is a research trainee at PRIVE, an international consortium, and can be reached at:
[email protected]
