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GOODBYE GRANDPA: In loving memory of my Baba

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In loving memory of my Baba

EULOGY

IKHLAQ-UL-REHMAN MIR
In loving memory of my Baba!
Life throws, at times, unpleasant surprises at us. Life feels bitter when someone close to us leaves us without saying a final goodbye.  Death is inevitable.  Life dances on the tones of death. Death dreads. Death stares at everyone.   It spares none.  There is no way to foretell when grief will take your breath away, send you scurrying to the places where no one can see the big fat tears trickling down your cheeks.  My life has not been same since Baba left us. We are shattered. We miss his radiant eyes that evinced a million tales or the curated words that conveyed so much beyond what was spoken.  Sun shines, clouds cover sky, moon moves, everything is routine but my world has turned turtle.

Baba, a free and a fearless soul, took a hurried flight to heavens. He was full of life. But cruel clutches of life consumed him. He was an Institution unto himself- a gentleman of the tribe.Mohammad Hamza Mir was born in Kalmoona, a decrepit village in frontier district of Kupwara. He lost his father at 10, faced countless challenges but didn’t give up. He completed his matriculation in early 1960’s and served in Sheep and Animal Husbandry department. Baba tried his level best to contribute to society is whatever way possible. He was a religious figure, greatly revered. He was a one-man army; he used to write letters in times when there was no source of communication. People would bank upon him and reach out to him to solve their domestic disputes. He was disciplined, creative and a man of method. He taught us to learn, lead, respect everyone and harm none. He got me admitted to school. My first school bag was gifted by him. He was sweet and strict.

He used to get up early for pre-dawn (Tahajjud) prayers. But on August 13, 2023, that fateful night, he chose eternal sleep. He was a poet. He loved painting his thoughts in words. He wrote in his mother tongue but never got published. He left a great legacy behind. He sacrificed his desires for people. He burned midnight oil to update himself about the latest happenings around. His contributions will always be counted. He was once in a millennium soul. Today, when I pray, I feel him around, calling my name. I struggle hard to hold warm tears but…. I crave for his single glimpse. I know he can’t be back but his memories are the hope against the hope. We lost a jewel. Being his laadla, I feel his demise has created a huge void in my life.

He was a compassionate man with high-spirits.  He lived 80 years and lived a full life. Listening, caring, inspiring, sharing, encouraging and always loving, he was there for me- in both elation and distress. He always taught me to love, to be humble, and to help people in whatever way possible. He was once in a millennium soul. When we submitted him to soil, I recalled John Didion, “Certain losses don’t get past you but you incorporate them into who you are. It is always a part of you.”

A compassionate, benevolent, selfless and a high-spirited man he was. He was popularly known as “Dervish” for being so involved with the hereafter affairs. His needs were limited. I fail to describe his magnetic persona. Baba was a hope and a guardian for the needy. He was a pillar of support for orphans, a friend of the downtrodden. He was a true feminist. He always stood for the right of women, as given by Islam.

He taught me to show humility and always keep shoes and ego outside whenever I enter any space. I never knew that my Baba would leave me so early.  He had a desire to see me as a groom but life takes unexpected U-turns as I mentioned in the beginning of this tribute. His wish remained unfulfilled. Death be not proud- is what he taught me all his life.

 

The Author is the Doctoral Candidate (JRF) in the subject of Media studies at Institute of Kashmir Studies, University of Kashmir

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ART

Arooj’s 3D art captivates memories

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Arooj's 3D art captivates memories

Syed Jesarat

Academically-inclined dentist, Dr Syed Juwahira Arooj, who previously taught at the Imam Hussain Paramedical College in Bemina, creates 3D art to preserve memories.
In the month of September 2021, Moulding Memories was created.
Arooj says, “I started creating art during the Covid shutdown. I had casting material at home and the artist in me wanted to make something out of it. I realised it has potential to be in the market, so I launched this business.”

A 28-year-old from Humhama has learnt this technique online for 4 weeks and has also benefited from some YouTube instructions.

Arooj's 3D art captivates memories

Arooj explains, “I used cast material back when I practised dentistry, and the thought occurred to me: why not save the memories by using this technique?”

Process: 
Moulding combines techniques, procedures, and as well as skills. Moulding is a manufacturing procedure which involves certain steps.

  • Impression
  • Pouring
  • Casting
  • Colouring
  • Framing

First, an impression is taken, followed by pouring it with impression plaster, and then casting is done. After creating a cast, it is left for cooling and solidification before the colouring takes place and finally framing finishes the process.

Arooj's 3D art captivates memoriesFor an impression, customers are required to visit Arooj and make an online payment beforehand. Customers contact using the Instagram handle ‘@mouldingmemorieswithArooj you create memories we craft them‘ and customers are from across Kashmir. The price range begins at Rs 1999. The clientele is quite strong in this line of work.

It takes at most 3 days to complete the casting. Most materials are imported from places other than Kashmir, like Telangana and Gujrat.

“I get the maximum amount of the materials from outside the state, being a budding 3D artist, I’ve kept charges very basic for now,” says Arooj.

“I want people to know about this 3D artwork, it is not that popular here in Kashmir,” says Arooj.

Moulding allows for the creation of a wide variety of designs, it is connected to sculpting in certain ways and is helpful in producing 3D art of anything that someone wants to keep as a solid memory for loved ones.

“People want to preserve what is dear to them in 3D form, and I help them in doing so,” says Arooj.

According to Arooj, designs can be customised to include anything the customer wants to preserve as a memory, such as a hand casting or foot casting of babies, adults or pets.

“Outside J&K people preserve many memories like a blessing hand (Ashirwaad), but since this concept is new here, people usually prefer newborn handprints to be moulded into a memory,” says Arooj.

Arooj's 3D art captivates memoriesThe moulding process for 3D art is pretty challenging.

“When creating the entire impression needs to be rebuilt if a cast somehow loses a minor part or is distorted,” adds Arooj.

This 3D artwork has attracted a lot of admirers.
One feedback reads, “Beautifully created hand cast, adored it.”
Don’t stop doing this, keep your hopes high, reads another.

Everyone in the family and friends supports Arooj in taking this unusual move in her career.

According to Arooj, “Moulding Memories” is the first of its kind in the valley.

Arooj urged people to be fearless and take chances.

“In order to know how far one can go, without taking chances one can never know their limits,” says Arooj.

“Taking a risk and being optimistic is what one should have in mind while starting something new,” concludes Arooj.

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