Voice from the Valley
Kashmiri actor Ayash Arif talks about his foray into Kannada cinema with the Kashmiri bilingual Flowers From Kashmir
Ayash Arif may be a new name for people in Karnataka, but is a household name in Kashmir. The actor has been a part of Kashmiri theatre, and Doordarshan for over two decades, besides hosting radio shows. He has a PhD in Indigenous Folk Theatre of Kashmir and Electronic Media and has worked as a writer, journalist, producer, director and actor in Kashmir.
That is about to change with Arif collaborating with cinematographer Ashok Cashyap from Karnataka for a KashmiriKannada bilingual Flowers From Kashmir. The film features Kannada actors Nagabharana and Sita Khote with Arif, GM Wani, Anju Matoo, Javid khan, Imran Farooq, Mohumed shahid and Nishu Sharma from Kashmir. MS Ramesh has done the screenplay, Ashok’s wife and journalist, Rekha Rani, has written the dialogues and the story, direction and cinematography are by Ashok.
“We are excited about this film as it is a joint venture of four friends: Ashok, Masrath Khan, Mushtaq Wani and myself,” says Arif over the phone from Jammu. “We have named our banner Char Chinar Cinemax, for the famous place in Kashmir besides Dal Lake.” Arif, the winner of the Tagore National Scholarship (20132014) is an alumni of the National
School of Drama (1973), and has worked as a Member of General Counsel/ Central Committee of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
Flowers from Kashmir, Arif says was shot in Kashmir, in the middle of winter. “We faced a many challenges and harsh climatic conditions during the shoot. At times, it was so cold, I would find it tough to retain the emotions of the character while facing the camera. Yet, each of us managed to work despite these challenges.”
The climax, Arif says, was shot in the snowy peaks of Harmukh Mountain. “The high altitude shoot presented challenges.” Arif has acted in Hindi and Kashmiri films like Emergency (with Kangana Ranaut, Inqalab, Sajan and Muthi Barkhaq.
The Kashmiri version is in the post production stage and will be released before the Kannada version, Arif says. “I have spoken in Kannada for the Kannada version and my fellow actors from Bengaluru have spoken in Kashmiri for the Kashmiri version. This way we learnt a lot about each other’s culture, language. No matter where we come from, humanity is one, friendships are the same, and that is what comes through in the film too.”
The film, Arif says, is the result of his over twodecade long friendship with Ashok. “We worked together on a documentary for Doordarshan on Kashmir and the floating gardens of Dal Lake in 1989. Soon we were working together in many Kashmiri serials, for Doordarshan. That is when I discovered that Ashok is wellversed with Kashmiri culture, our traditions and language. I also find it easy to explain any concept or story regarding Kashmir to him. “The two wanted to make a film, which reflected human relationships that went beyond boundaries and religion, says Arif. “We started discussing another story based on Dal Lake and wanted to make it with actors from Mumbai. It was taking longer than expected. We did not want to lose the collaborative spirit and started discussing the story of Flowers From Kashmir.”
Arif joined Doordarshan in 1974 and has been and AGrade artiste with Doordarshan and Radio Srinagar ever since. “In the past three decades, we have witnessed so many tragedies and bloodshed. My aim is to use my creativity and films as a platform to tell stories that act as a balm to the people of Kashmir. It is also a humble attempt to remember our beloved brethren, including those who left the valley, which was home to them.”
Kashmir, Arif says is a scenic place, which has lured filmmakers for years. “We have a great culture and tradition, yet feel these are ignored and only negativity about Kashmir is captured and portrayed some films. Flowers from Kashmir is an attempt to show that we are courteous, hospitable and ready to do any kind of sacrifice for our people.”