Rukhsana Jabeen---The Poet Of Passion Painting On A Global Canvas

Rukhsana Jabeen---The Poet Of Passion Painting On A Global Canvas 

Dr Basharat Khan

"If you admire light, emerge as a lantern...

Shield the candles from those who peddle news of darkness"

(Rukhsana Jabeen) 

Rukhsana Jabeen known by her pen name Jabeen, was born on May 1, 1955, in Khwaja Bazar, Srinagar, Kashmir. She received her primary education at Government Girls Primary School, Khwaja Bazar, and Government Girls High School, Khanayar, Srinagar. She graduated from Government Women's College Nawakadal, Srinagar, and obtained MA in Urdu, Persian and MPhil in Persian from Kashmir University.

Jabeen embarked on her poetic journey in 1977, unveiling her debut verse in Kashmir University's 'Bazyaft.'

"Nadida Dasht o Koh Se Mera Guzar Hua

Jab Se Mera Khayal Teri Rahguzar Hua"

Proficient across diverse literary genres, with a special prowess in ghazal and nazm, she gained recognition for translating "Ratan Singh Ki Bachon Ke Liye Kitab Urn Khatola" into Kashmiri. This accomplishment, acknowledged by former State Governor NN Vohra in August 2014, contributes to her rich literary portfolio, which includes collections like "Chiragh Chehra" (Urdu) and "Wohrat Kashmiri."

Rukhsana Jabeen emerges as a captivating lyrical muse whose verses transcend regional boundaries, painting on a global canvas. Her poetic expressions intricately weave the rich cultural tapestry of Kashmir with universal themes, resonating with readers worldwide. Jabeen's work serves as a testament to the power of poetry to transcend borders, connecting hearts through the shared emotions and human experiences woven into her verses.

Among the poets of Jammu and Kashmir, Rukhsana Jabeen graces an eminent zenith. Her discerning palate not only savors the essence of poetry but also acquaints itself intimately with the symbolic language of poetic art. Within the hallowed pages of prestigious Urdu journals, her verses find a sanctuary, orchestrating a profound narrative that enriches the reader's journey with captivating finesse.

Rukhsana Jabeen's poetic compositions breathe with the invigorating fragrance of originality, presenting a mosaic of ideas woven together by a rhythmic elegance that is nothing short of remarkable. In this melody of words, her work assumes a pivotal role, bestowing upon the art of poetry a resounding credibility.

Her poetry stands as an opulent tapestry, intricately woven with exquisite similes, metaphors, and allusions. In moments of delicate revelation, she unfurls the moon's awe and the sun's solitary sovereignty, conjuring images that paint the celestial spheres before our very eyes.This prompts contemplation on the parallels between their solitude and the poignant expression of one's own loneliness. Occasionally, her verses bear witness to a revolutionary spirit, urging those enchanted by light to metamorphose into beacons against the encroaching darkness, safeguarding the luminosity of their own inner illume.

Although the translation of poetry may never fully capture the beauty of the original, this humble endeavor strives to translate select ghazals of Rukhsana Jabeen into English. It aspires to forge a profound connection with readers, unveiling fleeting glimpses of the embedded essence nestled within the verses.

Rukhsana Jabeen, a maestro of passion and perfection in the realm of poetry, sculpts verses that plunge into the profound depths of the human soul. Her poetic expression forms a vibrant tapestry, intricately weaving the nuances of profound feelings and fervent passions, fearlessly addressing trauma with a deep sense of authenticity.This renders her expression not only captivating but also remarkably relatable. 

Jabeen highlights silence and indifference to injustice, rebuking those contributing to suffering, like heartless merchants selling innocence like vibrant butterflies. It urges speaking out against cruelty, emphasizing the need to express disdain for wrongdoings. A call for a collective effort to confront and prevent injustice, demanding empathy and action in the face of wrongdoing

یہ معصوم کلیاں مسل کے جو خوش رنگ تتلی کے پر بیچتے ہیں

انہیں باغباں مت کہو ، یہ تو گلچیں ہیں ، پھولوں کا زر بیچتے ہیں

کھلی آنکھ سے چھین کر خواب ،دل کا سکوں لوٹ کر بیچتے ہیں

دیارِ تمنّا کو برباد کرکےعجب ڈھنگ کے لوگ ڈر بیچتے ہیں   

یہ کیا ہے؟ کوئی روک لو آگے بڑھ کے ، مذمت ہی کر لو 

سرعام بازار میں سرپھرے لوگ بچوں کے سر بیچتے ہیں

 اگر روشنی کے پرستار ہو تو نکل آؤ فانوس بن کر 

بچالو چراغوں کو ان سے جو یہ تیرگی کی خبر بیچتے ہیں

With ruthless might, they crush half-open buds and trade the vibrant butterfly wings......

...cannot be called gardeners, they are merely traders of nectar!

Stealing the dreams from open eyes, the peace of mind and soul are snatched...

Fear is sold by strange people... ruining the land of desire!

What is happening? Stop it! Or at least condemn it!  

In the public gaze, heads of innocent children sold by some crazy people!!!

If you admire light, emerge as a lantern.. 

Shield the candles from sellers who traffic in the tidings of darkness

Jabeen delves intricately into themes of hope, adversity, and the various shades in an allegorical style.The poem introduces a romantic motif, symbolizing everlasting yearning beneath the glow of moon. Overall, it adeptly captures the grace of nature through the interplay of luminosity and beauty.

بے خیالی ھی میں جو میں نے پکارا سورج

پھر ھوا یوں کہ سوا نیزے پہ اترا سورج 

اس نے ماحول بنایا تھا اندھیروں کے لئے 

میرے ھاتھوں تو فقط دفن ھوا تھا سورج 

رات کے پچھلے پہر کوئی دعا مانگی تھی

یخ زدہ گھر کے کسی کونے سے ابھرا سورج 

ناؤ کاغذ کی جو پانی میں اتاری میں نے 

پھر دھنک نے بھی لی انگڑائی ، نہایا سورج 

میں تعاقب میں کسی چاند کے ھوں صدیوں سے

میرا تب ھی سے تو کرنے لگا پیچھا سورج 

صبحِ امید تو اس شوخ نے ھے نام رکھا 

تو کہیں سے بھی نظر کیوں نہیں آتا سورج 

چاند نے سوچ کے اک آہ بھری ٹھنڈی سی 

اس بھری دنیا میں ھے کتنا اکیلا سورج 

اک طرف چاند ، ستارے ، یہ خنک رات ، ھوا

اک طرف ریت ، یہ صحرا ، یہ چمکتا سورج

Called out carelessly to the sun ...                and then it came with intense heat

He created the environment for the darkness to increase, 

whereas I only buried the sun to extinguish the light!

When I prayed in the last part of the night... 

The warm rays of the sun emerged from a corner of a freezing cold house.

When I lowered the paper boat into the water.... 

the rainbow also appeared around the sun

For centuries I have been in pursuit of the moon ....                     

The sun began following me from then onwards.

'Hopeful morning' was named by this naughty person... 

So why is the sun still not visible?

With a cold sigh, the moon laments the loneliness of the sun ..    

who looks alone in spite of everyone around !

The cool night, the moon and the stars on one side.. 

while hot sand, the desert and bright sun on the other!

In the ethereal realms of Kashmiri poetry, Rukhsana Jabeen emerges as a radiant luminary, a true virtuoso wielding the magic of words. Her expression, a masterpiece of linguistic artistry, not only distinguishes her amidst her fellow Kashmiri female poetess but also engages in a harmonious dance with male poets, adorned in a language that breathes with both freshness and formidable grace.

As she delicately articulates the intricate nuances of womanhood, a feminine creativity gracefully unfurls from the very sinews of her poetic essence, casting a mesmerizing spell upon the audience. Within the verses she weaves, a profound revelation blossoms, not merely quenching the intellectual thirst of the discerning reader but also bestowing a sublime sense of satisfaction upon the fortunate connoisseur.This experience mirrors the profound gratification felt by avid readers, akin to the joy found in the exploration of a rich and captivating literary landscape. 

To delve into the poetic brilliance of Rukhsana Jabeen, here is a translation of one of her Ghazals by the erudite Professor Majroor Rashid, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the depths of creativity and literary artistry.

Pure serendipity I came across an old letter of yours last night , would like to look through it 

Would you again fill my hem with suns and moons. 

The bridges have cracks in them, the boat is rudderless and the wind has gone mad,

The night is pitch - dark come and row across the shore. 

Now the gale is uprooting the trees out there 

Put all your in how can you alone stand the test. 

I saw a flickering lamp flame away on the isle 

Someone on the other side asked, would you build a boat.

Another Kashmiri ghazal of Rukhsana Jabeen English translated by Prof Sayyed Ahmed 

وتھ آس رآومژے تس تہ پوز میے ما ہآوس

یوتاں بہ سیتی پچییس تمس بہ تے رآوس

چھ از تہ سے میے اوچھ شراکہ ہیتھ پتے دوراں

بے آر اوس زندے یمی بہ میژ اندر سآوس

سہ پننہ عملہ پتو دراؤ یتہ تہ گلی موراں

میے سیزر پزر ہرد آسی تھے پھلے چھآوس

یہ آنہ چھم میے وچھاں عانہ زنتہ میی ہیو کانہہ

بےوایہ پآٹھی توے از دلچ کتھا بآوس

وجود چھم تہ کھڑا چھس ، خدا تہ سیتی میے چھم

بہ چھس نہ ژھای ، دپو کآنسہ کیا پتھر پآوس

اگر نہ پیالہ سہ بر ہا ، بہ آسہ ہا مومژ

پتو حیآتی تمی دژ میے یمی زہر چآوس

1. To him , the pathway had been lost

And in fact , l didn't guide him through .

2 . Even now with daggers unseen he in hot pursuit stalks me 

Ruthless was he , who burried me alive .

3 . As the denouement of his deeds , he at last departed hence wringing his hands.

Quite simply despite the autumn l did relish the flowerage .

4 . This mirror is staring at me , as if someone a look alike of myself .

That is why l madly confided in him the bill and coo .

5 . l have my own self which l stand upon , and God also stands by me .

l am not a shadow , which , so to say , someone has trumpled upon .

6 . Had he not filled the goblet l would have seazed to be .

After all awakened me to life he , who the hemlock portioned to me .

Rukhsana Jabeen distinguishes herself among Kashmiri women poets, seamlessly blending intellectual pursuits with vivid imagination, clarity, and metaphorical eloquence. With precision, she selects Kashmiri words, crafting verses that convey profound meaning, adorning poetry with distinctive qualities and evocative emotions. Her creations transport readers into a realm of extraordinary sentiments, all crafted with simplicity rather than intricate language, highlighting her ample proficiency in expressing grand ideas.

The English translation of Rukhsana Jabeen's Kashmiri Ghazal by Dr. Abid Ahmad will aid in comprehending the poetic nuances behind the lyrics.

مہ نیر براندہ نیبر ، وچھ لگے بلایہ ونل 

گلالہ پوشہ وندے زو ، چھے بونہ ژھایہ ونل 

ہو دآن تھر تہ یہ دچھہ رانٹھ زن ژھٹاں پھرکھ ہیو 

یہ ژونٹی کج تہ ہہہ تلہ کل وداں ز آیہ ونل 

نیبری چھ شور مگر اسی تہ دار بر تروپرتھ 

چھ حآرتن ز لبو کنی کپآری زایہ ونل 

شرین گلیلہ تھوکھ ژور ، یتھ نہ وشفہ گژھیکھ

نژاں چھے کوچہ گلین منز اژتھ بےوایہ ونل 

مژر میے دآر دوپم وونی غبار نیر نیبر 

تہ چانہ گامہ یہ کژھ وچھ میے جایہ جایہ ونل

May I die for you, don’t leave the threshold, look at the fog

May I die for you, o tulip, hidden behind the Chinar is the fog;

That pomegranate bush and this grapevine, both gasp for breath

This apple and that mulberry tree weep as down descends the fog;

To the din outside we have shut the doors and windows

Trying to figure out wherefrom was born the fog;

The sling was kept away so that the kids made no mischief 

Dancing with abandon in the alleys and streets is the fog;

I opened the window thinking the dust will move out

But everywhere in your village I saw nothing but the fog;

Dr. Reyaz Tawheedi Kashmiri while reflecting on Rukhsana Jabeen's poetic nuances, highlights the significance of blending artistic and intellectual elements in high-quality poetry. 

"Exploring Rukhsana Jabeen's verses ensures encountering a delightful harmony of artistic finesse and profound contemplation. Her skillful expression of aesthetic beauty and style captivates readers, leaving them enthralled by the captivating charm and irresistible appeal."

Similarly another writer, Mashooq Ahmad lauds Rukhsana Jabeen's poetry, highlighting its fusion of artistry, intellectual vibrancy, and engagement with contemporary themes. Beyond confining her poetic discourse to confessional perspectives, she embellishes her poetic canvas with insights from a variety of life experiences.

Farooq Shaheen, a poet and critic Kashmiri language extols Rukhsana Jabeen as an exceptional poetess. Her brilliance is evident in the fresh and powerful expressions, particularly when exploring the intricacies of womanhood. 

"Jabeen seamlessly weaves Kashmiri words into her verses, creating a tapestry of meaning that embellishes her compositions with distinctive qualities and emotions.Through her skillful use of simple language, she artfully communicates profound ideas, showcasing her deep poetic prowess."

Another writer and poet, Gulzar Jaffer eloquently praises Rukhsana Jabeen's poetry, emphasizing its profound impact. 

"Jabeen has indeed carved a distinct place in the contemporary poetic landscape. Her verses, stemming from feminine protest, delicately unravel the intricate complexities of human life. Undoubtedly, her poetry is a masterful fusion of art, wisdom and profound emotions, inviting readers into a realm where the essence of human experience is beautifully woven into poetic expression"

In conclusion, Rukhsana Jabeen's poetic compositions are not mere words; they are a journey, an exploration of emotions, intellect, and the shared human experience. In the evolving landscape of  literary discourse of urdu and Kashmir, her legacy stands tall, inviting readers to traverse the realms of passion and painting on a canvas that knows no bounds.

The author is a writer, columnist and blogger. He can be reached at this email.