THE SUNDAY TIMES OF INDIA,
AUGUST 4, 1991
Donkeys Grazing on a Saffron Field
Bansi Parimu could never reconcile himself to his forced departure from
the Valley of Kashmir. Deprived of Kashmir–its life, flora, fauna, and
culture–he felt rootless and was haunted by memories of his paradise. An alien
city like Delhi, with its unbearable summer, further aggravated his physical ailment
and mental agony. Thus died Bansi Parimu, a refugee artist with a scar deep in
his heart.
Parimu viewed the Kashmir issue from a
perspective that had both artistic lucidity and personal anguish. We present
his conversation on the subject, recorded a few days before his death with
Shamsul Islam.
What are the factors responsible for the present impasse in Kashmir?
Kashmir’s
present tragedy is the living example of what petty politics can do to a people
with a glorious history of peace and brotherhood. The rulers in Delhi and their henchmen
in the valley systematically aimed at under-mining the values life norms and
culture of the Kashmiris.
What is the background of the
youth who have taken to terrorism and fundamentalism? Most of them were, till
recently, in main-stream politics. Half of them were corrupted by moneyed
politicians, and the other half were declared to be anti-national because they
did not agree to become stooges of the political mafia.
You have been part of the left in Kashmir.
Where does it stand today in the face of the fundamentalist challenge?
The left finds itself in
isolation for many reasons. Firstly, due to historical reasons there is no
industrial working class or progressive peasant movement. By and large the left
cadre came from the middle class which is by nature compromising. Then the
central leadership also committed blunders. They always supported the man in
the chair. Today most of the left is disillusioned and in disarray. In spite of
this, it is only the leftists who are challenging the terrorists in the valley.
Can the military solve the Kashmir
problem?
No, I do not think so. Military
solution will mean that we guard Kashmir like Siachen—devoid of human life. Militants
vs military seems to be an unending chain of events. It is difficult to pass
value judgments, but I am sure that this violence is causing great damage to
the Kashmiri psyche. On the contrary there is an urgent need of starting a
dialogue within Kashmiri society. But there is no imitative.
Will you ever be able to return back to the Valley?
As far as indications from the
ruling classes are concerned I do not think it is possible. However, if you
search the heart of a Kashmiri migrant most of them want to go back to Kashmir. Though it may be sheer optimism
Why did you refuse to accept the migrants’ allowance?
It is so humiliating. Anyone with
self respect will not seek it. It’s tout raj there.
What has been your reaction to the situation as an artist?
I am yet to settle down. Most of
my time is consumed in running from one place to another for ration card, gas
and admission of my daughter. Rules don’t mention that migrants will arrive
from Kashmir, so the bureaucracy is
insensitive. However I am planning to work on a large painting and few posters
on Kashmir. One theme can be donkeys grazing
on a field of saffron.
[The great Kashmiri artist, Bansi Parimu was interviewed in
Delhi. The print version appeared with a photograph in which Bansi was shown
participating in a demonstration in Delhi organized by Artist Against
Communalism.]
