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Sarwanand (Sarvanand) Koul Premi
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Pt. Sarwanand Koul "Premi" (November 2, 1924 - May 1, 1990) was a Kashmiri language poet, journalist, research scholar and freedom fighter who was executed by Islamist terrorists along with his son in 1990. Early life and education Sarwanand was the son of Gopinath Koul and Shrimati Omravati Koul, members of a Kashimiri Pandit family of Soaf-Shali (ancient Sanskrit name: Saft-Shaleshwar) village in Kashmir's Anantnag district. They were an agricultural family living in the village of Sof-Shali, near to the tourist spot of Kokarnag in Anantnag District of Kashmir, but Premi's father was the first in his family to receive further education. Premi's mother died when he was five years old and his aunt, Shrimati Gunwati, cared for him. After his initial schooling, he was admitted to a Mission School at Anantnag, and matriculated from Punjab University, Lahore. Later, he obtained B.A, M.A. and B.Ed degrees from Srinagar. From 1942 to 1946, he worked under cover for the "Quit India Movement", and in 1946-47 he was arrested six times. For some years, he worked for the Village and Khadi Industries Board of GOI and the Industries department of Punjab. He returned to Kashmir and joined the education department of Jammu and Kashmir as a teacher in 1954; he worked there for the next 23 years. Family He was married to Smt. Oma Ji, from village Hangalgund (Anantnag) in the year 1948. They had 3 sons and 4 daughters. <u>Life in Kashmir as poet and scholar</u> Sufferings of life of common Kashmiri people moved his heart which he used to pour into his poetry. Earlier he used to write in Hindi and Urdu but later on started writing in Kashmiri language as well on advise of Master Zinda Koul, a great poet in himself and contemporary of his. He usually found himself in the company of other great poets like Master Zinda Koul, Gulam Ahmed Mehjoor, Arjan Deo Majboor(his Junior and friend). It was Mehjoor who gave him name "Premi" which means Lover for his poetry was full of love for Kashmir. He could read and write in four languages namely Hindi, Urdu, English and Kashmiri and understood Persian and Sanskrit. Body of Work Published Books === # Kalami Premi # Payami Premi # Rood Jeri # Osh ta Vush # Gitanjanli (Translations) # Russi Padshah Katha # Panctchadar (poetic collections) # Bakhti Koosum # Akhri Mulaqat # Mathur Devi # MIrza Kak (life and works) # Mirza Kak Ji Wakhs # Kashmiri ki beeti # Bagwat Gita (Translations 1) # Taj # Rupa Bhawani Un - Published Work # Ramayana # Kehn Dharmik Katha # Bhakti Qusam # Walkh hia premi # Pushkin Sanza nazma # Araadhana # Aalath # Laleshwari # Madhushala # Suruhas Kun # My Holy Father # Tears of Joy and Love # Spritual Doses # Uttrances of Premi # Hamara Majhoor # Parmarth Shatak The bhajan written on Mata Roopa Bhawani was used as the title song in the movie Alakh Ishwari (2018) by Kanwal Peshin. Religious and Political beliefs He was a firm believer in Karma and lived his life accordingly. He did a lot of social work and philanthropy. He also followed Ahimsa. Coming from a village where temples and mosques existed together and Hindus and Muslims had lived peacefully for centuries he had a firm belief that the inhabitants of the village Sof-Shali were staunch believers of Sufi traditions, non-violence, tolerance and communal amity. He was a believer in secularism and even had a copy of Quran in him pooja room. He believed in the Kashmir's in-dissoluble ties with India and caused him to be on hit list of the Kashmir's Islamist Separatists. Death During the intervening night of April 29/ 30, 1990, three masked terrorists forcefully entered his home and kidnapped him along with his younger son. His Son, Verinder Koul, insisted on accompanying him. The men also took whatever valuables they could find in the house including rare books and manuscripts. Their dead bodies were found on May 1, 1990. It is to be assumed that the separatists wanted Premi Ji's public support for their movement which would have brought legitimacy to their cause and he would have refused. Premi Ji was one of the many Kashmiri Pandits executed in Kashmir for their support of Indian Nationalism. Awards and Recognition He was awarded Gold Medal posthumously by the J&K Govt. in 1997 for his contribution in the field of social, cultural and communal amity. He has also been conferred with Shree-Bhat-Puraskaar by Jammu Kashmir Vichar Manch in 2000 and Sharda Samman by Sanjivani Sharda Kendra Jammu in 2006, Alakh Samman by Shri Alakh Sahiba Trust, Jammu 2016. 
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