5th Sem Kashmir Poetry UNIT I: POETRY
1. Habba Khatoon – “Each Instant Your Separation Preys on Me”
About the Poet
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Habba Khatoon (1554–1609) was a celebrated Kashmiri poetess and queen of Kashmir.
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Known as the “Nightingale of Kashmir”, she wrote deeply emotional vakhs (short lyrical poems) about love, longing, and loss.
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Her poetry reflects the pain of separation from her beloved, King Yousuf Shah Chak, and symbolizes Kashmir’s sorrow and beauty.
Summary of the Poem
The poem “Each Instant Your Separation Preys on Me” is a moving expression of longing and heartbreak.
Habba Khatoon speaks to her absent beloved, describing how every moment without him feels unbearable.
Her pain is so intense that even nature seems to share her grief.
The poet’s heart burns with sorrow, and she feels consumed by the fire of separation.
Through this lament, she conveys both personal loss and universal human suffering — showing how love can bring both joy and deep pain.
Her voice is full of tenderness, faithfulness, and yearning.
Themes
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Love and Separation: Central theme — the agony caused by distance from the beloved.
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Emotional Devotion: The poet’s complete surrender to love.
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Nature and Emotion: Nature reflects her pain and mirrors her feelings.
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Transience of Happiness: Joy is short-lived; pain of separation is eternal.
Imagery & Style
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Simple yet musical Kashmiri diction.
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Rich in natural imagery — rivers, valleys, and seasons mirror emotions.
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Deeply lyrical, emotional, and introspective tone.
Difficult Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Preys | Troubles or torments continuously |
| Instant | Every moment |
| Separation | Being apart from someone loved |
| Lament | Expression of sorrow or grief |
| Torment | Severe suffering or pain |
Important Questions with Answers
Q1. What is the main emotion expressed in Habba Khatoon’s poem?
Ans. The poem expresses deep sorrow and longing caused by separation from her beloved.
Q2. How does nature reflect the poet’s feelings?
Ans. Nature seems to mourn with her; the rivers, winds, and surroundings reflect her grief and loneliness.
Q3. What makes Habba Khatoon’s poetry universal?
Ans. Her emotions of love, pain, and longing are felt by all human beings, transcending time and place.
2. Abdul Ahad Azad – “The River”
About the Poet
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Abdul Ahad Azad (1903–1948) is regarded as the father of modern Kashmiri poetry.
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His poetry combines social awareness, humanism, and nationalism.
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He was influenced by progressive ideas and wanted to uplift Kashmiri society through art and education.
Summary of the Poem
“The River” presents the river as a living symbol of life, movement, and continuity.
Azad portrays the river as an eternal traveler that flows through valleys and mountains, nourishing all life.
It is strong yet calm, powerful yet generous.
The river becomes a metaphor for the human spirit — always moving forward despite obstacles.
Through this, Azad reflects his belief in progress, resilience, and hope.
The poem also captures the beauty of Kashmir’s landscape, with its flowing waters and fertile lands.
Themes
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Flow of Life: Life is like a river — constantly moving and changing.
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Resilience and Renewal: Despite difficulties, life continues.
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Nature and Humanity: Nature teaches human beings endurance and patience.
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Spiritual and Social Progress: The poet urges people to move forward with the current of time.
Imagery & Style
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Vivid imagery of river currents, valleys, and skies.
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Symbolic and philosophical tone.
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Flowing rhythm mirroring the movement of a river.
Difficult Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Stream | Flowing body of water |
| Eternal | Everlasting, never-ending |
| Nourish | To sustain, to give life |
| Endurance | Ability to withstand difficulties |
| Harmony | Peaceful balance |
Important Questions with Answers
Q1. What does the river symbolize in Abdul Ahad Azad’s poem?
Ans. The river symbolizes life, progress, and continuity.
Q2. How does the poet connect nature to human life?
Ans. The poet compares the flowing river to the human spirit, suggesting that both must move forward and face challenges bravely.
Q3. What message does “The River” convey?
Ans. It encourages perseverance, progress, and harmony with nature.
3. Rehman Rahi – “After Ten Years”
About the Poet
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Rehman Rahi (1925–2023) was a modern Kashmiri poet and Sahitya Akademi Award winner.
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His poetry blends traditional Kashmiri imagery with modern thought.
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He often wrote about identity, memory, and the changing world of Kashmir.
Summary of the Poem
The poem “After Ten Years” is a reflection on change and loss.
After a long absence, the speaker revisits a familiar place, only to find it altered.
The people, surroundings, and emotions have all transformed.
What once felt warm and alive now seems distant and cold.
Through this, Rahi conveys the pain of time’s passage and the inevitability of change.
The poem captures nostalgia, alienation, and the loss of innocence that comes with modern life.
Themes
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Change and Memory: Time changes people and places.
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Nostalgia and Loss: Longing for the past that cannot return.
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Modern Displacement: A feeling of estrangement in one’s own land.
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Identity: Search for belonging in a changed world.
Imagery & Style
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Simple yet symbolic imagery of place, time, and silence.
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Reflective and melancholic tone.
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Free verse with emotional depth.
Difficult Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Nostalgia | Longing for the past |
| Alienation | Feeling of being isolated |
| Transience | Short-lived nature of things |
| Estrangement | Emotional distance or separation |
| Reflection | Deep thought or remembrance |
Important Questions with Answers
Q1. What is the central idea of “After Ten Years”?
Ans. The poem reflects on change over time and the sadness of returning to a place that no longer feels the same.
Q2. How does Rehman Rahi express the passage of time?
Ans. Through images of altered surroundings and emotions, he shows how time changes everything.
Q3. What emotions dominate the poem?
Ans. Sadness, nostalgia, and reflection dominate the poem.
