Jammu’s Maikash Kashmiri !

(Kashmir Rechords Exclusive)

In the vibrant cultural tapestry of Jammu and Kashmir, the name Maikash Kashmiri stands out as a beacon of artistic brilliance and unyielding determination. Born Kailash Nath Kaul on July 17, 1926, into a learned Kashmiri Pandit family and brought-up at Jammu, his life story is one of courage, integrity  and a profound connection to the poetic spirit of his land.

A distinguished broadcaster, poet, and educationist, Maikash Kashmiri’s journey was one of both triumph and tribulation. His association with Radio Kashmir Jammu (RKJ) began at its inception in December 1947 when he was just 21 years’ old. A man of immense integrity, he could not turn a blind eye to injustice. His colleagues recall that in March 1948, when Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited the makeshift RKJ studio in a classroom of Ranbir Higher Secondary School, young Kailash Nath Kaul boldly raised the issue of non-payment of staff salaries. This act of fearless honesty cost him his job—he was dismissed for speaking the truth.

The irony, however, was that when the government later again  needed his expertise to counter enemy propaganda, they approached him once again. Yet, rather than reinstating him, he was only offered work as a contractual artist. For 34 years, Maikash Kashmiri dedicated himself to RKJ, never made permanent but always unwavering in his commitment to the craft.

Life After Retirement: A Mentor and Guide

After termination of  contract,  he never stepped into the premises of Radio Kashmir Jammu again—a silent protest against the humiliation he had endured. Instead, he found solace in teaching, offering English lessons to young students from his ancestral home in Mohalla Mast Garh, Jammu. His self-respect remained intact, and he earned the love and admiration of his students and their families. With dignity, he provided for his family, marrying off his five well-educated daughters gracefully, while his only son became an engineering graduate and joined the Indian Army as an officer.

The Poetry of Resilience and Hope

Maikash Kashmiri’s poetry reflected his unyielding spirit. One of his most memorable couplets encapsulates his resilience:

Charagh-e-rah agar bujh gaya to kya gham hai
Charagh-e-dil to farozaan hai roshni ke liye
(So what if the street lamp is extinguished?
The lamp of my heart burns bright to light the path.)

A true man of letters, he lived a simple, unassuming life in Jammu—the City of Temples—embracing the hardships that came his way with a Sufi-like detachment, best described in his verse:

Saare jahan se be niyaaz, mast hoon apni zaat mein.
Mujh se kisi ko kaam kya? Mujh ko kisi se kaam kya!
(Indifferent to the world, I revel in my own being.
Who needs me, and whom do I need?)

A Unique Tribute to the River Tawi

His poetry did not just capture personal experiences but also paid tribute to his homeland. Among his most unique works is a nazm dedicated to the river Tawi, included in the album Yadon Ke Charagh. Unlike conventional poems that eulogize rivers, Maikash’s composition reveres the countless round stones that line the riverbanks. To him, these stones were silent witnesses to the passage of time, holding within them the glory and history of the Dogras.

Recognition After Years of Neglect

For decades, Maikash Kashmiri remained an unsung hero. The very voices that had once advocated for salary payments failed to support him when he needed them most. He was singularly victimized and terminated from service despite his exceptional talents and qualifications. His legacy, however, was finally acknowledged thanks to Dr. Rafeeq Masoodi, a noted broadcaster and former Secretary of the J&K Cultural Academy. Under his leadership, a special edition of Sheeraza was published in Maikash Kashmiri’s honor, compiling articles and reminiscences from his contemporaries and admirers.

In his foreword, Dr. Masoodi acknowledged the longstanding injustice against Maikash Kashmiri and expressed hope that this tribute would serve as a small token of recognition for his immense contributions. Former Cultural Secretary Mohammad Yousuf Taing, in his write-up, highlighted Maikash’s deep love for Kashmir and his Kashmiri Pandit heritage. Although he had been raised in Jammu and did not speak Kashmiri fluently, his identity as a Kashmiri Pandit was central to his being.

Passing and Enduring Influence

Maikash Kashmiri passed away on January 19, 2006, in Navi Mumbai, leaving behind a legacy of poetic brilliance, integrity, and quiet resilience. His son, Sanjeev Kaul, and renowned singer-composer Seema Anil Sehgal ensured that his literary work found a lasting voice through music. His words continue to inspire, reminding us that truth and talent, even when unrecognized in their time, never truly fade.

Maikash Kashmiri’s life was not just a tale of struggle—it was a testament to the unbreakable spirit of a man who remained true to himself, no matter the cost.