Unraveling the truth often makes people attempt the unthinkable. Soon after the civil unrest in the Kashmir valley subsided last year, four young people had a tryst in the virtual world. They were strangers, but were bound by the common desire to tell the truth. Their virtual existence gave way to documenting the death of Sameer Rah- an eight-year-old boy, who was among the people killed during the period of Unrest. The four friends- Rizwan Alam Khan, Burhaan Kinu, Maryam Shamas and Shah Ifat Gazia, used their cellular phones and other portable devices to churn out a documentary detailing Rah’s death. The twenty-minute film titled 'Long ago I died', these days is being much talked about among film lovers in Kashmir. In a free-wheeling conversation with Nishwan Rasool, Maryam Shamas and Rizwan Khan talk about achieving the unthinkable.
NR: Tell me how was ‘Long ago I died' conceptualized?
RZ: During 2010 agitation, our parents had restricted our movements and the only option we had was internet to take out our annoyance and frustration. All of sudden we accidently came into contact with each other through a social networking site Facebook. That was the time when we realized that we shared a common goal and from that very point our journey to show reality and fact began.
NR: What has your initial idea of the Kashmir conflict been? And what's your present understanding of the issue?
MS: Notions have changed. In my childhood I saw Kashmir issue as a long tragic story with a foe I never recognized. It was more about human right violations. But gradually a deeper understanding of the issue has left me with no doubt that Kashmir is a political issue with a wronged past. The knots in history are more than what are visible. And without resolving these knots you can’t heal the wounds or expect justice.
NR: The Kashmiri youth have seen guns at the time when they ought to carry the toys in their hands? Last year’s unrest must have made impact on you as well. Was that the inspiration to make the film?
MS: More than inspired, I would say provoked.
NR: Could you explain?
MS: I mean every communication point was gagged during the period. We were left with nothing. So I guess it was provocation more than inspiration. Provocation to tell truth I must add.
NR: Tell me about the research days of the film?
MS: Actually in seeking the answers we only had more questions. From the graveyard to the place, where he died, Rah’s home, police stations, hospitals. In fact while doing all this we came across so many things small and big, that reminded us of the past- the forgotten massacres. The journey reminded us of our past.
NR: How difficult was it to maintain objectivity while dealing with a sensitive subject like this?
MS: To maintain objectivity is difficult but achievable, and for us it was extremely important. We were extremely careful that we do not fall in to the realms of bias.
Rizwan chips in and says: While dealing with a sensitive issues one has to be very careful, it should not hurt the sentiments of the people. To sum up, one cannot over do things.
NR: Do you think it is the responsibility of Kashmiri youth to raise awareness about the past or current happenings?
RZ: It’s not the responsibility of youth only but also of the elders to create mass awareness about the happenings which have taken place in the past. We are troubled to see that Kashmiri youth have forgotten many incidents which otherwise should have been highlighted in front of the World. There have been massacres like Kunanposhpora incident where the whole women folk of the village were raped by the armed forces. There has been Chattisingpora incident case where 36 Sikhs were massacred, the Gowkadal massacre and many more. How many of us know about these tragedies?
NR: What else can be done apart from visually chronicling Kashmir’s past?
RK: There should be seminars in colleges and universities about the history of Kashmir, where incidents should be discussed and people should be made aware of these facts. We believe that the only way to deal with the untrue world is to make yourself so much free that your very existence becomes an act of rebellion.
Silence is criminal at times. We need to stand up for justice, Shamas concludes.
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