Kashmir: Poetry and Mysticism | Yojana Sep 2022

Chapter 10 :Kashmir: Poetry and Mysticism

Kashmiri writers' contributions to literature

Kashmir maintains a significant role in the growth and development of Sanskrit literature, criticism, philosophy, and poetry being the birthplace or residence of several notable literary critics, theorists, philosophers, and commentators.
A number of individuals, including Panini, Chandracharya, Bharata, Kshemendra, Abhinavagupta, Vasugupta, Somananda, Somadeva, Bilhana, Kalhana, Patanjali, Anandavardhana, and many others are listed.
The foundation of Sanskrit grammar is Panini's Astadhyayi.
The primary source for dramaturgy theory is Bharata's Natyashastra.
Kashmir's contributions to Indian poetics include the poetic theories of aucitya, guna, rill, and dhvani.
Kashmir's literary and cultural milieu has enhanced India's body of mysticism and literature, from Buddhism to Shaivism to Sufism.
The name of the famous Kashmir Shaivism philosopher Abhinavagupta, who flourished in Kashmir in the 11th century, has been inextricably linked to that doctrine.
Abhas-vad (intuition) and pratyabhijna are taught in this philosophical system (recognition).
To the typology of eight rasas listed by Bharata in Natyashastra, Abhinavagupta additionally included the ninth rasa, "shanta rasa."
His other works include Parmarthasara, Tantraloka, Abhinavabharati, and a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita called Gitartha Samgraha.
Vaakhs by saint-poets like Lal Ded blossomed in a vibrant spiritual milieu (four-line stanzas).
The custom of singing Lal-vaakhs Ded's has been retained in modern Kashmiri poetry by Bimla Raina.
Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani was a master in Kashmir's rishi or reshut parampara, where his mystical philosophy fused Kashmir Shaivism with Sufism's core principles.
He is credited with interpreting the Holy Quran into Kashmiri and with writing the four- to six-line poems known as shrukh in Kashmiri.
In Kashmir, the poems and dargahs have perpetuated the history of renowned female saints and teachers.

The first all-female Sufi band to be created in the area is called "Yemberzal," and they are committed to preserving Kashmiri classical music, the Sufiana mausiqi, and the Sufi music tradition.