Turtuk - The beautiful border village

"We slept in Pakistan & woke up in India in 1971" recollecting his thoughts of 1971, now an elder of the village (Abdul Karim).

It was just a mater of unseen line drawn over night which we call as "border".

Many people left (stuck) on either side of border and they never met again due to political complexities and travel difficulties.

There are few sad stories in the village that I was unable to document due to emotional outburst as iam not a photo journalist.

Husband parted from his wife & visa versa while they were visiting their loved ones on the baltistan valley when anexure took place back in 1971.

Turtuk is one of the extreme northernmost villages in India  in Ladakh. It is 205 km from Leh and situated at an altitude of 9800ft

Turtuk is most picturesque village with limited population who speaks Balti & Urdu language.

It has 2 sides (Yul & Parol) divided by a wooden bridge.

They are shy but good people. There are not mush opportunities available in this village due to its difficult location & terrain but life exist & thrive in the most remote locations as well.

They have some land for agriculture & livestock . 

They have Schools for basic education but for higher studies, one must travel to LeH or else as it lacks in this facility.

Also, there is some hope due to tourist influx during less winter season when surrounds turns green.

These people said to be migrated Uzbekistan ( as one of the he person i spoke), The possibilities scoul dbe high as it was located on the silk route & trade was common.

There are tent type hotel (Swiss tents) facilities in nearby area.

People who visit Hunder valley, can make up to turtuk in a day & return.

For me, I need to spend few days within the village to explore story & insight of people whenever I get time to visit Ladakh.

There is masjid (mosque) on yul side dated Mughal period (though area ruled by some other dynasty while mughal rule India) whose first renovation is documented 1690. a detail visit is available in my video.

Iam sharing few photographs & clicked in that village along with my poetic thoughts and a video exploring the village and talking to a respected elder of the village.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz_JPrJlM5V/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

اک امتحاں سے گزرے امتحاں کے لئے
اِس جہاں میں اترے اُس جہاں کے لئے
گزری جو گزر گاہوں میں اسکی فکر نہیں
جو بچ گئی وقفِ مالکِ کون و مکاں کے لئے
Ek imtehaN se guzre imtehaN ke liye
Iss jahaN meiN utre uss jahaN ke liye
Guzri jo guzar gahoN meiN uski fikar nahi
Jo bach gayi waqf e malik e kaun o makaN ke liye
(Zubair writes)
TRANSLATION
Pass through an exam for an exam
Came to this world for that world
Not worried about what is spent in pathways

Whatever is left is for the owner of all the world

Moazzin ( a person who calls for the prayers) of 16th century masjid in the last Indian village, TURTUK, Ladakh (supposed to be) before Pakistan.

He (Haji Abdul karim) such a nice & humble person who speaks about 1971 when India took the village in their possession & he with other villagers used to supply essential commodities to Indian army posted at high mountains.
It was an experience talking to the person & his friends.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz3eGaJFrvx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

قدرت کے نظارے جہاں جنّت کی طرح ہیں
بچّے بڑے معصوم وہاں فرشتوں کی طرح ہیں
Qudrat ke nazare jahaN jannat ki tarah heiN
Bachche bade masoom wahaN farishtoN ki tarah heiN
TRANSLATION
Where The scenery of nature is just like paradise
There the kids are like innocent angels

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1VZwv7lOHl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

اس عمر سے اس عمر کا رشتہ نہیں بھولے
خوشیاں نہیں بھولے، غم و اندوہ نہیں بھولے
اک لمبی مسافت کو بیاں کیسے کریں ہم
اِملی سے بھرا سکول کا بستہ نہیں بھولے

 
Iss umr se uss umr ka rishta nahi bhoole
KhushiyaN nahi bhoole, gham o andoh nahi bhoole
Ek lambi masafat ko bayaN kaise kareiN hum
Imli se bhara school ka basta nahi bhoole

TRANSLATION
Did not forget the relationship of this age with that age
Didn't forget happiness, didnt forget sorrows & heart sores
How to explain the long journey of life
We didn't even forget the tamarind in school bag

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1MgS_Jl3P2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

محنت کری اُس سے شکایت نہیں کری
رزقِ حلال کھائی، خیانت نہیں کری
جیسے بھی گزری شکرِ خدا بھولے نہیں کبھی
پھر کیسے کریں گلہ کہ اس نے عنایت نہیں کری

Mehnat kari, uss se shikayat nahi kari
Rizq e halal khayi, khyanat nahi kari
Jaiss bhi guzri shukr e khuda bhoole nahi kabhi
Phir kaise kareiN gila ke usne inayat nahi kari

TRANSLATION
Kept hardworking but never complain to him
Always earned bread through legitimate way
Then how can we complained that he didnt did a favor?

اندھیرا چیر کے نکلے گی کرن دیکھنا
رنج و غم کے دشت میں میرے صبر کو دیکھنا
انتظار صدیوں کا اور لمحے بھر کی بس خوشی

زندگانی اِتنی سی کو زندگی بھر دیکھنا

Andhera cheer Ke NikLegi Kiran dekhna

 Ranjo Gham Ke dasht Mein Mere Sabar ko dekhna

Intezar Sadiyon ka aur Lamhe bhar ki bus Khushi
Zindagani Itni Si ko Zindagi Bhar dekhna

TRANSLATION
The ray will gush through the darkness you will see
In the jungle of grief & sorrow look at my patience
The centuries of wait & happiness of a moment! 

کچّی گلیاں کھٹّی کیری املی جامن اور انار
اِن سب کے بیچ بسا تھا چھوٹا پیارہ میرا گاوں
نٹ کھٹ بچپن سیر سپاٹابے فکری اور بیچ بازار
گودی بھیّا، ساتھ سہیلی اسکول کی چُھٹّی میرا گاؤں

 
Kachchi galiyaN, khatti kairi, imli, jamun aur anar
In sab ke beech basa tha chhota pyara mera GaoN
Nat khat bachpan, sair sapata, befikri aur beech bazar
Godi bhaiiya, sath saheli. School ki chhutti mera gaoN

 TRANSLATION
Unpaved alleys, tangy green mango, tamarind, Jambul & pomegranate 

& located in the middle, my beloved small village
Naughty childhood, leisure wandering, no worries & in the middle of bazaar
Having brother embrace, along with friend & vacation of school in my village

سچ تو یہ ہے کہ کوئی سچ بھی نہیں کہتا ہے
خوش دکھتا ہے مگر خوش بھی نہیں ہوتا ہے
رسمِ دنیا کے لئے روز گلے ملتے ہیں
مُسکراتے ہیں مگر دل میں دھواں ہوتا ہے
مجھ سے کہتے ہیں کھلونوں کی عمر بیت گئی
میرا بستہ ہی میری گڑیوں کا گھر ہوتا ہے

Sach To Ye hai ki koi Sach bhi nahin Kahta Hai
Khush Dikhta Hai Magar Khush Bhi Nahin Hota Hai
Rasme Duniya Ke Liye Roz Gale Milte Hain 

Muskurate Hain Magar Dil Mein Dhuan Hota Hai
Mujhse Kehte Hain khilono Ki Umr beet gai
Mera Basta Hi Meri Gudiyon Ka Ghar Hota Hai


TRANSLATION
This is the truth that no one speaks truth
It seems happy but not happy in reality
For the sake of world they hug each other
They smile but there is smoke in the heart
They say that age to play with toys has passed

سنہری خواب آنکھوں میں سجا لایا ہوں
میں حقیقت سے نظریں بھی چرا لایا ہوں
تپتے سورج کی تمازت بھی نظر انداز کرکے
میں بستے کی کتابوں سے سائباں بنا لایا ہوں
ملے تعلیم سب کو اور خوشیاں ہر ایک گھر میں

اسی امید سے میں دور چل کے اسکول آیا ہوں

 

Sunhari Khwab Aankhon Mein Saja Laya hun
main Haqeeqat Se Nazre Bhi Chura Laya hun
tapte Suraj Ki Tamazat Bhi nazar andaaz Karke
Mein Baste ki kitabon se Saye-baN banaa Laya hun
Milay taleem Sabko aur Khushiyan Har Ek Ghar Mein
ISI ummid se main Dur Chal Ke School aaya hun
 
TRANSLATION
Here i brings Golden dreams decorated in my eyes
& i dodged reality in order to come here
I also overlooked the burning blaze of the sun
& to use the books in my bag as an umbrella over head
Let everyone gets educated & happiness in all homes
With this hope only i travel a lot to come to school

کچھ وقت ہمارے ساتھ نہ تھا
کچھ عمر بھی ہم سے روٹھ گئی
جو چھوٹ گیا وہ مل نہ سکا
بس دور کہیں احساس رہا
احساس بھی بس اِک آس ہی تھی
وہ آس کہ جس میں دور کہیں
دو دل دھڑکا کرتے تھے
کوئی بات نہیں اب کرتے تھے
بس ہونے کا احساس سا تھا
کچھ رستے تھے جو چلتے رہے
اور منزل تھک کے بیٹھ گئی
پھر افق کی نیلی چادر کو
جب برف کی چوٹی نے چوما
تب دھڑکن مدھم ہونے لگی
اور ہوک مچا دی سانسوں نے
کوئی دور سے بھی کچھ دور گیا
اور اتنا کہ بھی یاد نہیں
اب گرد نہیں کوئی اڑتی ہے
اب خاموشی کا جنگل ہے
اب تنہاء اسکی یادیں ہیں
اور تنہاء اسکی تنہائی

Kuchh Waqt Hamare Sath Na Tha 

Kuchh Umr Bhi Humse Rooth Gayi

Jo chhut Gaya woh Mil Na Saka
bus Duur Kahin Ehsas Raha
Ehsas bhi bus ek aas hi Thi
woh Aas ke jismein Duur Kahin
Do Dil dhadka Karte The
koi baat nahin ab Karte The
Bus hone ka Ehsas sa tha
kuch Raste the Jo Chalte Rahe
aur Manzil thak Ke Baith Gayi
Phir Ufaq ki Neeli Chadar ko
Jab Barf ki choti Ne Chooma
tab Dhadkan Madham Hone Lagi
aur Hook machadi SaansoN Ne
Koi Duur Se bhi kuch Duur Gaya
Aur Itna ki bhi Yaad Nahin
ab gard Nahin koi udti hai
ab Khamoshi ka jungle hai
ab Tanha uski yadeiN Hain
aur Tanha uski Tanhai

TRANSLATION
It was the time that wasn't with us
And also the life that got angry with us
What was left could not be found
Just felt hope somewhere far away
The feeling was just like a hope too
The hope in which far away
two hearts use to beat
But they Never used to talk
It was just a feeling like being there
There were some routes that kept going
And the destination gave up after exhausted
Then the blue wrap of the horizon
When the peak of the ice kissed
Then the heartbeat began to fade
And the breathing becomes sore
Someone went far from far
And how much that's not even remembered
Now no dirt flies around anymore
It is now a forest of silence
And loneliness has its memories
And alone has its loneliness

 (Zubair writes) 

زہر ہی زہر ہے فضاؤں میں گھٹن ہوتی ہے
جان انسان کی مذہب کے ترازو میں رقم ہوتی ہے
نفرتیں چاٹ گئیں ذہن کو دیمک طرح
اب تو بچوں کی خوشی دیکھ جلن ہوتی ہے
Zeher hi zehar Hai fizaon Mein ghutan Hoti Hai
Jaan Insan ki mazhab ke Tarazu Mein Raqam Hoti Hai
NafrateiN chaat GayiN zehan ko deemak Ki Tarah
Ab To bacchon Ki Khushi dekh Jalan hoti hai
(Zubair writes)

TRANSLATION
Feel suffocation with poison & only poison in atmosphere
The life of humans is being weigh in scale of religion
The hatred consumed the minds like termites to an extent
That it gave heart burn to see the smile of a child

تتلی کے رنگ شوخ میرے خواب ہی تو ہیں
گلشن میں پھول مہکے میرے خواب ہی تو ہیں
بستے میں بند کتنے میرے خواب ہی تو ہیں
سکھیوں کے ساتھ ہنستے میرے خواب ہی تو ہیں
ان خوابوں کو سمیٹو ان خوابوں کو سنبھالو
تعبیر کے حوالے میرے خواب ہی تو ہیں

 
Titli Ke Rang shokh Mere Khwab Hi To Hain 

Gulshan Mein phool Mehke Mere Khwab Hi To Hain
Baste Mein Band kitne Mere Khwab Hi To Hain
sakhiyon ke sath Hanste Mere Khwab Hi To Hain
in khwaboN ko sameto in Khwabon ko Sambhalo
Tabeer ke Hawale Mere Khwab Hi To Hai

TRANSLATION
Bright colors of butterfly are nothing but my dreams
Flowers blossoms in garden are nothing but my dreams
Packed many in my school bags are nothing but my dreams
Laughing with friends are nothing but my dreams
Collect these dreams, protect these dreams
Reference to realization are nothing but my dreams

ایک بچپن کی یاد آئی تھی
پھر اسکے بعد زندگی عجیب لگی
Ek bachpan ki yaad aayi thi
Phir uske baad Zindagi ajerb lagi
TRANSLATION
Once remembering the childhood
The whole life looks strange after

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#NikonMEA #Photowalkconnect #Portraits #India #incredibleIndia #Leh #Ladakh #Turtuk #Remoteexpeditions #Storytelling #poetry #Urdushair #Kashmir #Travel #Mytravel

Note : All pictures & Poetry is my property, repost, sharing the same for non-commercial purposes with the consent of the owner.

My Instagram handle is @zubi29  (wandering soul)