Echoes from Kashmir: The Sufi Poetry of Nund Rishi

In the serene valleys of Kashmir, where the contours of the Himalayas meet pristine lakes, the Rishi tradition flourished. Far from mere ascetics, these Rishis were luminaries, intricately joining principles from Shaivism, Buddhism, and indigenous practices. Renowned scholars like Kalhana, in his seminal work Rajatarangini, have highlighted their role.

The Rishis weren't just revered for their spiritual insights but were the guiding lights of their era. Their teachings, underscored by themes of unity, love, and unwavering devotion, profoundly influenced Kashmir's cultural and spiritual fabric. Legend even suggests that the birds would go quiet, entranced by the Rishis' profound chants.

Among these saints, especially from the medieval history, two names have been used in conjunction with each other for nearly five centuries: Lal Ded and Nund Rishi.

These two mystic saints are so significant to the idea of Kashmiri identity that poems attributed to them are often recited to begin Kashmiri cultural events and festivals, and a plethora of institutions in Kashmir have been named after them from schools and colleges to a maternity hospital… and even the Srinagar International Airport, has been officially named as ‘Sheikh Ul-Alam Airport.’

Their timing, in history, was significant too. During the reign of the Kashmiri Sultanate, religious harmony experienced multiple challenges. While earlier sultans maintained some balance, the period under Sultan Qutb-ud-din and his successor, Sikandar (1353-1413), marked a shift. Sikandar’s zealous policies, particularly, emphasised Muslim dominance, earning him the title 'Butshikan’, or the iconoclast. It was during such tumultuous times that the Sufis showed the middle way.

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