kashmir: iran-e-sagheer, heaven on earth, valley of gardens, the poet's muse, the land of saints and martyrs

گر فردوس بر روی زمین است همین است و همین است و همین است

“if there is heaven on earth

it's here, it's here, it's here”

— Amir Khusrau

Kashmiri muslim girl, Kashmir, 1939

In Kashmiri, the aunties who love me never say just thank you. They say, “Bahaar haevnei paak parvardigaar” which means may you witness spring by the grace of the Purest, the Most Divine. And truly, I cannot imagine gratitude more beautiful than a prayer for your seasons to bloom.

How do you return to “thank you” after someone has prayed for your future seasons? We have blessings that linger long after the moment has passed.

I speak Hindi and Kashmiri :D

alsoooo brit isn't a language lmao

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘇 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱:

Zindagi se yehi gila hai mujhe,

Tu bohot der se mila hai mujhe.

𝗜 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀:

Is pyase musafir ko dariya na mila,

Dil bhi sookh gaye, raste bhi ulajh gaye.

Tere ghar ki galiyan bhi ab ajeeb si lagti hain,