Bimla Raina
Bimla Raina is one of the most exciting contemporary poets in Kashmiri. Bimla Raina uses a fourteenth century literary form, vakh, pioneered by the Saivite saint, Lal Ded. Bimla Raina signals the return of mysticism into Kashmiri poetry. This is perhaps one of the main reasons behind the huge popularity of Bimla Raina’s Rish-e-Maluen Meon (My Mother’s Home of the Rishis). Bimla Raina has recently published a brilliant collection of Kashmiri vakh called Vyeth Ma Che Shongith (Is the river sleeping?). Rish-e-Maluen Meon (My Mother’s Home of the Rishis) created a stir in Kashmiri literary circles when it was published in 1998. It is now available in a translation by Prof. R N Kaul ('The Unheard Sound'). Rish-e-Maluen Meon was like a breath of fresh air in an atmosphere poisoned by violence.
Recently Bimla Raina published a controversial book on Lal Ded called Lal Ded Meri Drishti Mein. The book attempts a bold and unique perspective on Lal Ded and is one of the most significant recent additions to studies of Lal Ded. Both of her books (except the one on Lal Ded) are available for download in the Devanagari script from the website of the Kashmiri scholar, M K Raina.