Kashmiri Opera- `Opera in Kashmir`

Kashmiri Opera

Opera, basically a genere of western origin, is defined as a dramatic works that are set entirely to music. Unlike in musicals, where characters mix dialogue with song, Operas are traditionally entirely sung. Opera is a musical drama or, more accurately, a drama in verse. An opera has a story, dialogue, music and songs, only the dialogues are written in poetry. Opera is a shortened form of the ”phrase”  ”Opera in music” or ”work in music” Opera was born in Italy during the Renaissance, a period in Europe between 14th and 17th century.

“`Opera in Kashmir“`

Opera in Kashmir was introduced by Shri Dina Nath Nadim. The history of Kashmiri Opera begins with ‘Bombur Ta Yimberzal’ (Bumble Bee and The Narcissus Flower) which Nadim Sahab wrote in 1952. Dina Nath Nadim had seen a Chinese opera ‘White Haired Girl’ and was highly impressed by it. He wanted to write similar one in Kashmiri and thus conceived the story line of his first Opera ‘Bombur Ta Yimberzal’. It was an epoch making effort and was for the first time staged in 1953 at Nedous Hotel, Srinagar. This Opera, was reproduced with some different caste, was the main cultural item which was presented before. Soviet Leaders, when they visited Kashmir in the autumn of 1956. This opera was directed by Mohan Lal Aima and was a great success.  Sometimes later, it was translated into Russian. ‘Bombur Ta Yomberzal’ was a symbolic Opera. ‘Bombur’, ‘Yimberzal’ and ‘Gilitore’ symbolised the forces of peace and prosperity. ‘Wav’ and ‘Harud’ (wind and Autumn) represented imperialistic agencies dividing people. Nadim continued to write operas and made a history in this field. After ‘Bombur Ta Yimberzal’, he wrote ‘Niki Te Badi’, an opera in which the forces of good and evil are at war. At last, evil is defeated and good prevails. This Opera was staged at Government Women’s college, Srinagar.

Based on folk lore, Dina Nath Nadim wrote ‘Shihli kul’, ‘Madanvar Zuvalmal’. Both these operas were staged in the auditorium of Women’s College, Srinagar. Based on a famous folk tale of Kashmir origin, Nadim wrote another Opera titled ‘Hee Mal Nagrai’ in collaboration with Noor Mohammad Roshan in early sixties and was staged with sound and light in the foothills of Hari Prabhat, Srinagar. It was a breakthrough, witnessed by lakhs of people. This Opera symbolises the synthesis of early Naga and Aryan Culture of Kashmir. This opera like ‘Bombur Ta Yambarzal’ was based on one of our old folk tales – legends. Nadim wrote ‘Viatsta’, alternatively titled ‘Vyeth’, for Radio Kashmir Kashmir. It was broadcast in 1970. And in 1978, Nadim redrafted this opera for the stage. The opera narrates the journey of Vyeth – the river Vitasta (Jhelum) – from its origin till it meets the Wular lake. Besides Kashmir, ‘Vitasta’ was staged in Delhi, Calcutta (now Kolkata), Hyderabad, Lucknow, Banglore (now Bangluru) and Patna; and was hailed and appreciated by spectators and the national press. ‘Vitasta’ has appeared in book form also. During 1950-1970, three more Operas were written. Amin Kamil wrote ‘Ravi Roopi’ which was published serially in ‘KongPosh’ (1954- 55). Shambhoo Nath Bhat Haleem wrote ‘Bombur Ta Lolar’ which appeared in ‘Son Adab’ in 1959. Rehman Rahi wrote’Yali Log Motus Phur’ which was broadcast from Radio Kashmir in the late sixties. It is pertinent to mention here that these Operas were never staged.

It was Padamshree Moti Lal Saqi who continued the tradition of Opera in Kashmiri. Saqi’s first Opera was ‘Hayatan Ziyoon’ which was first broadcasted and later staged at Srinagar. His second Opera ‘Maej Kashir’, which symbolises the traditional brotherhood and tolerance of Kashmiris was staged at Women’s College, Srinagar in 1981. A special show of this opera was arranged in honour of the president of India when he visited the Valley. Saqi wrote another opera titled ‘Gashi Aagur’ and this opera is based on the tradition of the composit culture of Kashmir. This Opera is considered as a landmark as far as the execution of the theme and it’s presentation is concerned. It has run in several shows and has been witnessed by thousands of people. This opera has appeared in ‘ZOON’, the journal of the women’s College in 1982. This was followed by another Opera ‘Sonzal’ (Rainbow) by Moti Lal Saqi, depicting continuity of Indian Culture. Another Opera by Saqi ‘Sath Rang’ was produced and staged by Maulana Azad College Srinagar in 1985. This Opera depicts the role of women in the development of human history. Another opera titled ‘Sirya Ta Sangarmal’ is written by Moti Lal Saqi.

Due to turmoil in kashmir and exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from kashmir in 1989-90, this process came to a standstill, and this most loved form of theatre i;e opera also stopped. But In 2011-12 Kashmiri Opera “ Waqtuk Partav” means (Reflexes Of time) written by late Sh. Prthivi Nath Koul “Sayil”, Dialogues by JK Koul “Bezan”, Music by Kuldeep Saproo , conceived & Directed by vijay dhar, initiative by senior artists to revive the opera form once again, was performed in 2012 at SKICC Srinagar in presence of Sh NN Vohra then Governor and galaxy of Ministers, Adminstrators and artists. Later on it had good number Of shows repeat performance in Srinagar 2014, then in 3 times in Jammu, Delhi and Gurugram. ‘Waqtuk Partav’ is most loved Opera of present times. In addition one more Kashmiri Opera based on folk tale Heemal Nagirai written by Bal Krishen Sanyasi was also presented in 2016 at Delhi and Jammu conceptualised & Music by Kuldeep Saproo and directed by Vijay Dhar. Opera was staged by RMK Arts and Research foundation and is playing an important role in propagation of this form of theatre.

In 2018, Opera namely ‘Arnimal’ was staged by Kashmir Performers Collective at Jammu. This Opera was directed by Manzoor Ahmad Mir and this Opera dramatic presentation was based on the life of Arnimal, a late 18th-century women poetess. Staging of this Opera was like a leaf from history for audience as the presentation was woven around the life of Arnimal and was interspersed with a lyrical rendering of her poetry marked with a color of deep anguish and the simplicity of folk songs.

Vomedh, which has emerged as the most active cultural organisation in JK UT, also showed a keen interest in reviving this form of theatre by staging a Kashmiri Opera namely ‘Izugabar’ written by Prem Nath Dhar and directed by young theatrist Rohit Bhat. It is pertinent to mention here that this opera was written in the year 1950’s and was staged at Delhi at that time. Vomedh again took an initiative to stage this opera and was staged Jammu in the year 2018. The performance of the Vomedh group was highly appreciated.

It seems that as long as there is a story to tell and ideas to be aired, opera will flourish. It may not be out of place to mention here that Opera revived the tradition of folk times and added some sweet lyrics to Kashmiri literature. Opera has a great future and is liked by all. Opera enjoys enormous popularity because it is very close to Kashmiri temper. And popularising this soulful art form would greatly enrich our artistic and cultural landscape.

Rahul Kilam