MK Raina’s has been Kashmir’s foremost theatre artist. His memoir, Before I Forget tell a long tale of Kashmir and Kashmiris in sunlight and shade, funds Prof Rattan Lal Hangloo
In Before I Forget, M K Raina’s memoir, the veteran theatre and film aficionado invites readers into his textured world. With a career spanning several decades, Raina’s narrative weaves together diverse facets of his life and times, offering a glimpse into his journey.
Through his memoir, Raina displays his talent, vast knowledge, and experience as an actor and social activist. His concern for humanity, unencumbered by the boundaries of religion, caste, or region, shines through on every page. As Raina himself notes, “I have always sought to use my craft to make a positive impact on society.”
This memoir is a testament to Raina’s brilliance, a reflection of his dedication to his art and his commitment to social justice. He recounts his experiences, offering a perspective on the world of theatre and film in India.
The sincerity of the author’s purpose is palpable as he illustrates the complexities of Kashmir, particularly in the urban town of Srinagar, where his journey began. This erstwhile princely state had bid adieu to the monarchical Dogra Raj and welcomed the emergence of the regional political party, National Conference, heralding Kashmir’s transition to modernity. However, the demise of the feudal Dogra regime left an indelible mark, a communal atmosphere that lingered, courtesy of the measures employed by Maharaja Hari Singh to cling to power, an inevitable conclusion. Yet, the tradition of harmonious coexistence in Kashmir remained robust, refusing to let tensions simmer on a larger societal canvas.
As Raina observes there existed a vast expanse of camaraderie amongst the people, rendering communal attitudes inconsequential. Even those harbouring such sentiments were reluctant to display their prejudices openly, for there was no scope for social sanction. Notwithstanding this, a strong sense of religiousness permeated every community, betraying a degree of narrowness and orthodoxy in attitude. The author’s upbringing in a multicultural milieu from the outset has endowed him with a unique perspective, one that seeks to infuse the practice of citizen democracy with renewed purpose and meaning.
At times, Raina’s narrative provokes introspection, beckoning us to ponder the essence of plurality in Kashmir. While his endeavour to lend theoretical and empirical depth to his arguments occasionally falls short of the mark, this book presents a novel perspective on Kashmir, one that is highly convincing.
Some of Raina’s intriguing arguments terminate prematurely, leaving the reader yearning for a more comprehensive exploration.
Raina’s journey from Kashmir to the wider world is chronicled in this book, offering an understanding of his determination in the face of adversity. With candour, the author recounts the pedagogical methods of his teachers, which were often coercive and punitive, laying bare the harsh realities of early schooling in the valley.
The author’s personal experiences are particularly poignant, as he recounts the cruel punishments meted out by his teachers: “I was always punished by these teachers in very mean ways; they used a cane or sometimes placed a pencil between our fingers and squeezed our hands as we screamed in pain.”
Through his descriptions, Raina demonstrates a remarkable ability to place events in perspective with ease, weaving a narrative that is both personal and universally relatable.
This memoir, while personal, offers an exploration of the complex circumstances that shaped the choices of Kashmiri pandits, for better or worse. Raina’s narrative provides a multifaceted perspective, shedding new light on his life’s journey. With curiosity and attention to detail, Raina delves into the intricacies of his experiences, revealing rich traditions, popular culture, and the possibility of exceptions.
Throughout the book, Raina navigates the glamour and complexity of the film industry with honesty, demonstrating how truth can emerge in all its fullness, untainted by ignorance, illusions, or waywardness. His account offers insights and a frank exposition of institutional intricacies, making for a compelling read.
It reveals his commitment to social activism, rooted in Marxian ideology. Through his narrative, he sheds light on the Indian political system’s insensitivities and undercurrents, which have far-reaching consequences for the public. Recounting his experiences during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, following Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination, Raina exposes the apathy of Indian politicians.
Raina navigates complex ethical dilemmas, urging readers to confront the practical task of building a better world. At times, he posits that the central challenge of ethics lies in managing the inherent tensions within human society, which shape our culture, politics, and individual experiences. Raina’s argument hinges on the notion that moral disagreements arise from the burdens of judgment specific to moral and evaluative issues. However, this assumption overlooks the possibility that disagreements often stem from fundamental metaphysical, ontological, and epistemological doctrines, which underlie moral and evaluative disagreements.
Raina’s writing is distinguished by its conceptual clarity and originality, making for an engaging and innovative narrative of considerable value. This book offers an insightful exploration of the profound ways in which human identities and choices are influenced by fundamental images that shape our conceptions of self, rendering them seemingly natural.
(A renowned historian, the Texas-based author has served as Vice-Chancellor at Kalyani University and the University of Allahabad and currently holds the position of Honorary Vice-Chancellor at Noble International University in Canada.)
