Madhav Kaul sent Naryan to Bisco School which taught its students swimming and boating. This helped him develop a kinship with the waters of the Dal Lake. Narayan Joo and Malla Khaliq grew up, got married and became fathers themselves.
Time’s merciless wings snatched away their fathers from them and placed the burden of their families on their shoulders. They witnessed many changes in their lives. The changes in prosperity, adversities, nothing affected their friendship.
The Second World War was a boon. To those who were connected with tourism. Narayan Joo remained engaged in booking accommodations for Western tourists, mostly comprising British soldiers who preferred to spend their furloughs in Kashmir than other resorts, and Malla Khaliq was there to extend his hospitality to them.
The business expanded so fast that Malla Khaliq, like many other houseboat owners, had to construct his second houseboat – GULSHAN.
About the author:
Pran Kishore Kaul was born on 23rd January 1925 in Srinagar, Kashmir. He studied at the University of Punjab (Lahore). A playwright, stage director, broadcaster and a painter, he played an important role in performing arts in Kashmir.
He is credited with the making the first Kashmiri feature film ‘ Mainz Raat‘ and ‘Shaire-e-Kashmir Mejhoor‘.
Recipient of President’s Silver Medal in 1965 & Sahitya Akademi Award for his works, Pran Kishore reiterated from Radio Kashmir Sringar. To his credit are over two thousand Radio plays & documentaries, and television serials.
Gul Gulshan Gulfam first printed in India in 2017 by Harper Perennial.