By: Bisma Farooq Sheikh
The tapestry of our mother tongue ‘Kashmiri’ is woven with the threads of sweetness , love and timeless wisdom.
Some beautiful petals of the fragrant rose garden of Kashmiri unfolded:
- Phal Kule chhu Nemith ( Fruit laden trees bow down): It means great people are humble and polite ; they are not arrogant and stubborn.
- Baez Garas chha Baez Garas : Hole diggers fell in the hole themselves; they prepare trap for none but themselves.
- Bheeme rous shur gov Lakmi rous Gur : An uncontrolled child is like a stray horse.
- Athi chhoet ti zevi zyuth (short hands and long tongue): It refers to a person who just talks and directs but does no work.
- Birbalun Ram Kath ( Birbal’ s Ram/Sheep): It is used to refer to a situation where a person has everything but peace. In other words worry doesn’t let us grow. It is derived from a story where Akbar gave a challenge to Birbal that feed the Ram 10kgs of food daily but it shouldn’t gain weight. Birbal fed the sheep daily but kept the knife hanging; this knife frightened the sheep that he would be killed anytime. This fear prevented it from growing and gaining weight.
- Anmi ni shrapan ti neejan Gogjan eas daaran : one who cannot digest even rice water but opens mouth for uncooked turnips). It means to be over ambitious; without considering the limits.
- Anchar noet akis khot ti beyis Hoet (A matter of luck) : one person loses and other gains in the same business.
- Baje kani Chha lokit kaen dakh. (The small stones support the bigger ones): Just like the strength and success of organisation is dependent on the contribution of all the workers.
- Khalev Narev kheyev saal (Oh long sleeves eat the feast) : It is used to refer to a situation where respect is given to the beauty or status and not to the person. It is derived from the story of Sheikh ul Alam (R.A ) where he was stopped from entering the wedding party due to his poor dressing and then he came wearing a good robe and he was allowed. He put the sleeves in food and told them o my long sleeves eat; for this feast is for you and not to me as a person.
- Peer ni boed yaqeen boed (Faith moves mountains) : For instance, belief in treatment is more important than the treatment itself
- Bengis chha Baang Din; (We can take a horse to water but cannot make it drink).
- Apuz chu tulkatur te poz chu akhtab : A lie is short lived like frozen water while as truth is like sun; it will rise.
- Hatiok dimai rath netichh dimai ni tresh : Claiming to give blood of the throat but not willing to give even water. it shows lofty claims or false promises. Great words, poor deeds.
- Gaave zaav vochh , Mae Gochh : A calf was born to cow and a person wished it should be given to him. It reflects selfish, greedy or jealous person who seeks everything for himself
- Baedis Chha Baede Nazar (Great men have great vision)
- Yus Kare Gangul Soi Kare Kraav (Only those who sow can reap; we cannot yield anything without work).
- Athe Krehin ti Buth Safaed (black hands white face; a deceptive personality; one who looks innocent but performs ill deeds).
- Panne Babe Mushk Hion (To smell ones Bossom). It means self-introspection.
- Muji kheth gov Sard (To shut someone with a witty response)
- Aele manz rong (Clove among cardmmom seeds): someone who’s different.
Take away: No doubt English is our global language and language of curriculum and we have to learn this skill but let’s not over hype this proficiency and undermine the beauty of our mother tongue. Let’s keep our mother tongue alive and show love by using and sharing these proverbs in our daily transactions. Mother tongue has its magical power to connect hearts in a deeper and meaningful way. Don’t shun away from expressing your ideas and talents in mother tongue Be real and authentic… Speak Kashmiri with pride. It won’t make you look less intellectual and dear parents don’t act tough on kids if they speak mother tongue. Why you stigmatize this beautiful identity. Dear all! Always remember the saying “Kashur chhu Kashre siit net veran boone hiiund heran kaav” .
The writer can be reached at sheikhbismafarooq@gmail.com
