Ander loolnaran bu zaejnas;
Waay!reh nu tuth, duh na tuth.
Yes aas shab o rooz manz naaras ;
Beem daznuk kiyah chhu tas.
Beem daznuk chhu kaam aashiqas,
Waay! reh nu tuth duh na tuth.
The fire of love within me has burnt me down;
Alas! this fire has neither flame nor smoke.
One who is in fire day and night;
Is not afraid of being burnt.
Only the half-backed lover is afraid of being burnt.
Mercy! this fire has neither flame nor smoke.
Rahim Sahib’s poetry always has an unfathomable and spiritual connotation. The similies and metaphors used by Rahim Saheb bring forth the penetrating appeal of Kashmiri Sufi poetry. Almost all of his poetry is in Kashmiri language; most of his poems are sung by Sufi Singers in Sufi Mehfils. He introduced a new style in Kashmiri Sufi poetry and surged it to inordinate statures. His poetry is so striking, and only those who are tethered to Sufism have the competence to know its strength. For him, the love of Allah implied the love of humanity.
Whenever there is a mention of Sopore town, the name that first strikes the mind is the name of mystic Sufi saint Rahim Saheb Sopore. This mystic saint was born in 1775 AD in Sopore at Tilvani Mohalla. He learned the art of weaving at Batpora,Sopore. That location (Mohalla) had religious and cultural importance because it persisted as the abode of Shaivism and music lovers. Because of that influence, we have seen so many words from the Sanskrit language used frequently as metaphors like Pran, Pawan, Omkar, Omm, Shaistribal etc., in his poetry. He was a good player of Rabab and Santoor. He also expressed through his dialect an incredible ability to suggest mystical thoughts that lead to divine path.
Rahim Saheb Sopore left for a heavenly abode in 1850 and was buried at Batpora Sopore. Devotees throng his Shrine round the year.
Rahim Saheb Sopore was a poet of great competence, had a firm grip on languages, and was fond of debates and discussions. Though there is very little material available on his life, he was highly respected and loved by the people. He was a broad-minded, jolly, witty, and straightforward man who used to mix up with the people promptly. He has left his lasting mark behind. Music comnnects people from all religions and places without any differentiation.
