Abdur Rehman Rahi was a Kashmir poet, translator, and critic. As one of the foremost exponents of Kashmiri literature, he authored a dozen books and translations. He was also awarded with the prestigious Jnanpith Award and the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship.
Rahi died on Monday at the age of 98. For a long time, he was an influential figure in Kashmir’s literary scene.
Dr Huzaifa Pandit has translated a poem by Rahi below, titled Spring and the Artisan.
(i)
Spring has dawned, the mountains resplendent in delight, and flowers all abloom
The sky is a clear mirror, the merry spring breeze sprinkles fragrance in the world
In the willow grove, the cuckoo serenades, and the pigeons coo.
The sun bares its comely face, while the daffodils fill their goblets to the brim.
A flight of swallows has flown in a merry din
that the surrounding stand to attention.
Spring has set in like last year
raking half-forgotten deep desires.
The gates of Nishat will…