"A valuable introduction to one of contemporary Kashmir's most distinguished, if unsung, literary voices ... This volume makes itself indispensable to the ways in which we seek to understand the vexed recent past of Kashmir." - SANJAY KAK

"Masterful ... The frustrations and disappointments of the people, both Muslims and Pandits, are sensitively felt and fearlessly depicted." - NEERJA MATTOO

"Kaul's portrayal of ordinary lives reveals visionary insights ... an extraordinary writer." - MIRZA WAHEED

"Tenderly told and beautifully translated, these tales, both fabled and realistic, conjure a lost time." - FARAH BASHIR

"Sets a new standard for translations from Kashmiri even as it calls attention to a remarkable writer." - SUVIR KAUL

Hari Krishna Kaul (1934–2009) was born in Kashmir and lived there for most of his life. He taught Hindi literature in various colleges of the University of Kashmir until he was forced to leave in 1990. Kaul started his literary career writing short stories in Urdu and Hindi but switched to writing in Kashmiri in the mid-1960s. His first collection of short stories in Kashmiri, Pata Laraan Parbat, was published in 1972 and immediately established him as a major writer. Three other collections of short stories and numerous television and radio plays followed, cementing his position as an important figure in the modern literary landscape of Kashmir. His only novel, Vyath Vyatha, was published in 2005. He was the recipient of many awards including the Sahitya Akademi Award for Kashmiri fiction in 2000.

Kalpana Raina was born in Kashmir and lives in New York. She is a senior executive, board director and adviser with over thirty years of experience in both corporate and not-for-profit sectors. This is her first work of translation.

Tanveer Ajsi is an independent art historian and cultural theorist. He has written extensively on theatre, performing arts, visual arts and literature, besides translating and directing plays, and curating and conceptualizing exhibitions.

Gowhar Fazili teaches political science and sociology. His writing has appeared in various journals and edited volumes, and a monograph based on his doctoral thesis is slated to be published soon.

Gowhar Yaqoob is an independent research scholar based out of Srinagar. Her research practice focuses on the medieval and modern history of literature with special focus on Kashmir.