Sarwanand Koul Premi’s life was like an eternal river flowing through Kashmir’s valleys, carrying with it the wisdom of ancient sages, the fire of revolutionaries, and the quiet humility of poets. Each ripple in this river of his existence reflected a part of his essence—a poet and patriot, freedom fighter, reformer, philanthropist, and philosopher.
Born in 1924, Premi’s early life in Anantnag, a town embraced by the mighty Himalayas, was one woven with simplicity yet destined for timelessness.
His humble upbringing in a farming family, far from the power corridors, was filled with the rich soil of values that would bloom into a garden of ideals touching every heart that came across his life.
Gopi Nath Koul, his father, who was the first matriculate in their village, was the beacon of knowledge in Premi’s life. He planted the seeds of education and enlightenment in his young son, while his mother, Omravati Koul, instilled in him humility as pure as a dew-laden dawn and resilience as unbreakable as the Pir Panjal rocks.
This balance of wisdom and modesty would shape Premi’s spirit, nurturing in him a love for humanity that would later define his very being.
He walked a path that was rarely trodden, yet his footsteps left behind marks of love, compassion, and change, forming a legacy that would be as enduring as the Chinar trees under which he grew.
Much like the Kashmiri landscape, which changes with each passing season, Premi’s youth was sculpted by the turbulent winds of India’s freedom struggle.
A young man with dreams of an independent India, Premi was drawn to Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings, finding solace and strength in his ideals of non-violence and unity. He was barely in his twenties when he joined the Quit India Movement, a soul ablaze with the desire for his country’s freedom.
From 1942 to 1946, he risked his life working underground to resist British rule, evading capture as he weaved through the shadows, fueled not by hatred for the British but by a love for his homeland. Six times he was arrested, but like a resilient pine tree weathering the storm, his spirit remained unbowed.
Premi’s steadfast dedication earned him admiration and respect, not least from Mahatma Gandhi himself, who in 1946 gave him a framed copy of his poem “Aav Chalen, Ek Saath Chalen” (Let’s Walk Together).
This gift was more than a symbol of gratitude; it was a recognition of the silent yet profound strength that defined Premi’s spirit.
Each line of that poem became a mantra for Premi—a call to unity and justice, a pledge that he would carry until his last breath. With the poem hanging in his humble home, he was reminded daily that his mission was not merely political; it was a higher calling to work for unity and truth.
Yet, if Premi’s patriotism marked him as a stalwart in the freedom struggle, it was his literary pursuits that transformed him into a cultural icon for Kashmir.
A polyglot, fluent in Kashmiri, Hindi, Urdu, Persian, English, and Sanskrit, Premi’s writings were like flowing rivers merging into one grand confluence. In his poetry and prose, he captured the rhythms of the land, the spiritual musings of his heart, and the yearnings of his people.
His words were not ornate or exaggerated; they were like the soft murmur of rivers in the valley—simple, soothing, yet deep as the mountains they traversed. His writing bore the weight of spiritual and moral reflections, inviting readers to glimpse a vision of unity that transcended time.
It was no surprise that the revered Kashmiri poet Ghulam Ahmed Mehjoor, upon encountering Premi’s verses, bestowed upon him the name ‘Premi’—one who loves, one who belongs to love itself.
Mehjoor saw in Premi’s pen a light, a tool wielded not for fame but to dispel the darkness of ignorance and prejudice. Like the timeless Chinar trees, Premi’s writings evolved with the changing times, yet his roots remained firmly grounded in the ideals of harmony and compassion.
He wrote not for fame, but for the hope that his words might uplift, inspire, and unite his people.
Through his pen, Premi became the voice of the marginalised. He didn’t merely write about social issues; he lived his ideals, organising marriages for orphaned Muslim girls and working tirelessly for communal harmony.
His acts of kindness, driven by his boundless humanity, underscored his belief that faith was not a wall but a bridge to connect people. To him, religion was like the rivers of Kashmir—flowing side by side, cradling the valleys with life, intertwining in purpose.
Sarwanand Koul Premi’s literary devotion extended beyond his original works. His love for literature drove him to translate the Bhagavad Gita, Tagore’s Gitanjali, and the Ramayana into Kashmiri.
These translations were gifts to his people, priceless jewels that he presented with the reverence of a priest and the passion of a lover. His translation of the Gita was more than a scholarly exercise; it was an act of worship, a testament of his reverence for the teachings of duty and righteousness.
For Premi, knowledge was like a river—eternal and limitless, meant to flow freely, enriching the soil of human thought and bringing spiritual nourishment to all.
Premi’s translation of the Bhagavad Gita mirrored his own philosophy. In those sacred verses, he saw not just words but a profound blueprint for life—one that inspired his unyielding dedication to unity and peace.
Similarly, his translation of Tagore’s Gitanjali was a reflection of his affinity for the divine; in Tagore’s words, he saw the soul’s longing for a higher truth, and by bringing it into Kashmiri, he shared this spiritual thirst with his people.
Through these works, Premi sought to break barriers, to remind Kashmiris of their shared heritage, and to enrich the spiritual fabric of the valley.
Premi’s writings glowed with a Gandhian spirit, his words a balm for a society beginning to fracture under religious and political discord. His voice, calm yet resolute, became a lighthouse for those searching for peace.
In an era where ideologies threatened to divide, Premi stood firmly on the belief that Kashmir’s true strength lay in unity. His secularism was not a convenient political position; it was a reflection of his belief in the oneness of all humanity, a philosophy rooted deeply in the Kashmiriyat ethos.
Yet, as the 1980s turned to the 1990s, the valley that once sang with Sufi poetry became engulfed in a wave of militancy. Shadows of hatred began to cloud the land, and the culture of tolerance and peace was replaced by an atmosphere of fear.
As intolerance and violence spread, Premi’s commitment to harmony and reconciliation made him a target. His steadfast voice, which had always spoken of unity, now became a threat to those who wanted Kashmir divided.
In the tragic spring of 1990, this voice was silenced forever. Premi and his son, Virender, were abducted and brutally murdered by militants—a crime that sent tremors across the valley and beyond. It was not just the loss of two lives; it was an attack on the soul of Kashmir, an attempt to extinguish a light that had guided generations.
Their deaths were a shattering blow, yet it failed to silence Premi’s message. In their attempt to quell his voice, the militants had instead ignited an undying flame. Premi’s death became a rallying cry, a reminder of his unwavering commitment to humanity.
It was as though, in silencing him, they had inadvertently amplified his message, for his words—of unity, compassion, and love—echoed even louder in the hearts of those who mourned him. His murderers sought to extinguish a flame, yet all they achieved was sparking a fire that would burn eternally, refusing to be dimmed.
Even after his death, the legacy of Sarwanand Koul Premi continued to blossom, much like a Chinar tree resilient against the harshest winters. His contributions to Indian independence, his literary treasures, and his compassionate deeds were celebrated with countless awards.
In 1997, as India celebrated 50 years of independence, the Delhi Pradesh BJP honoured him posthumously with a medal and memento. That same year, the J&K Government awarded him a gold medal, recognising both his patriotism and his cultural impact.
Later, honours such as the Shree Bhatt Puruskar, the Sharda Puruskar Saman, and the Alakh Saman from various organisations further attested to his timeless influence. But these awards, while prestigious, were mere reflections of his true legacy—the everlasting impact of his life’s work.
Today, Sarwanand Koul Premi’s writings remain a precious treasure in Kashmir, a region torn apart yet forever bound by his spirit.
His poetry, his translations, and his prose continue to speak to the hearts of Kashmiris, reminding them of their shared heritage and the values of unity, peace, and compassion that once defined the valley.
In a world growing increasingly divided, Premi’s life stands as a testament that the true measure of greatness lies not in power or wealth but in the quiet strength of compassion, the depth of wisdom, and the courage to love.
Though he may no longer walk the land he so loved, Sarwanand Koul Premi’s legacy lives on in the whispers of the wind, in the teachings of his translations, and in the hearts of those who remember him.
His life was like a river that, though no longer visible, nourishes the valley from beneath, an undying force of love and resilience. Indeed, the militants who sought to end his life only ensured that his voice would echo eternally in Kashmir—a voice that, like the Chinar trees.
The author is born in Murran, Pulwama and holds a Masters in Literature degree. He is a poet and currently lives in Dehradun. Two of his books are under publication.
Views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position and policy of Free Press Kashmir. Feedback and counter-views are welcome at [email protected]
