Vasudev Reh—a far-sighted poet

A Progressive Poet, Musician

Born in 1926, Vasudev Pandita, ‘Reh’ of Batapora Sopore Kashmir, was a famous poet of Kashmiri Language. He had, unfortunately lost his eyesight due to small pox when he was a child. His brothers helped him learn almost all things necessary for his daily life. He was educated informally by his brothers to help him in passing Matriculation examination. He later obtained a   degree of Prabhakar and side by side studied music.

According to A K Chetan, a noted writer and poet from Sopore town,  Vasudev Reh had  also opened “Vitasta Music School’’ within   his home premises where he used to train students in music. For his unique style of Kashmiri poetry, Producers of  then Radio Kashmir, Srinagar used to invite him often for various music mushairas. His brother,  Som Nath Pandita always used to accompany   him for his recordings and recitations of his poems.

Chetan says people  would   always  want  Reh  to recite his  most  famous  piece of  poetry like,” Subhan  Shaman   Hosha  Hosh ” ! His poetry was a blend of both   Sofiana and Philosophy with a mystic touch. Incidentally, his younger brother, Raghunath “Kastoor’’ was also a noted Kashmiri poet from Sopore, Kashmir. Reh is also known for his collection of poetry ‘Shab Gardun’ (The Night Watchman).

Kashmir Rechords appeals to all its esteemed readers, who might  be knowing  such unsung heroes to contact us with authentic details and send the same on kashmirrechords@gmail.com or support@kashmir-rechords.com. We promise to publish them with due credit to the contributors by amplifying the stories of these unsung heroes. Such stories honour their legacies, inspire future generations, and strive for a more inclusive and accurate understanding of history. It is imperative that we actively preserve the stories of those who have been marginalized, ensuring that their contributions are no longer consigned to the shadows of history.