Maamkakh — A Life RememberedBy Syed Majid Gilani

✒️:. Syed Majid Gilani

Some people live quietly, yet their presence becomes the heart of a family’s memories. For us, that person was Ghulam Mohammad Tantray, lovingly called Maamkakh. His life was marked by loyalty, devotion, dedicated service, and a profound sense of belonging — values that spanned three generations. Though he passed away on 8th February 2017, his memory remains alive, woven into the fabric of our daily lives even today.

Maamkakh originally belonged to Manigam, Ganderbal — a village of green fields, flowing streams, and simple living. As a small boy, he came to live with our family at Khanqah Moulla, Srinagar, long before my father was born. Under the guidance of our elders, he grew up learning honesty, humility, and piety — virtues that shaped his entire life. He witnessed the births of my father, then mine, and eventually those of my own children, quietly threading himself into our family story over decades.

From my earliest memories, he was always present. He sometimes stayed with our close relations — the relatives who once shared the same hearth and kitchen when he had joined our joint family — but his connection to our family never wavered. He remained as close as the closest relative, a silent companion through the passage of time.

Maamkakh was deeply pious. Not a single day passed without him attending prayers, no matter the weather. I saw him walk through biting cold, thick snow, and heavy rain to reach the mosque or shrine for the five daily prayers. During Ramzan, he observed every fast, and he had immense respect for Sufi saints, often visiting shrines to quietly pray and reflect. His faith was natural and steady.

Despite his humility, Maamkakh was remarkably aware of the world around him. Local news, national affairs, even international developments — he knew them all, though he was not formally educated. To our family, he was like the BBC, always ready with updates. Just like today social media is always full of news, Maamkakh had it all. I can still hear his soft, calm voice sharing news in his unique style, making us laugh, marvel, and sometimes shake our heads in awe.

He spoke softly and decently, never raising his voice. Honest, calm, and dignified, he had a presence that put people at ease. Everyone around him felt respected and comfortable.

Maamkakh had simple joys. Sugary foods, bakery treats, and sweets brought him delight, and he savored them quietly. He served our families with dedication. He earned his living honestly through years of domestic service, but he was never treated as a domestic help — always as a family member. He spent wisely, often on clothing, which he loved. Neatly dressed, tidy, and graceful, he carried himself with dignity, and cleanliness was important to him.

For most of his life, he was healthy and active. Every few months, he would visit Manigam to see his relatives. These trips refreshed him, and he always returned with stories, laughter, and interesting news. Children ran to greet him, elders welcomed him warmly, and he moved among them with the same calm presence that defined him for decades. Though he sometimes stayed with our close relations, Khanqah Moulla remained his true home, where he eventually passed away peacefully.

In the last year of his life, his health began to fail. The man who had been a constant presence across three generations grew weak. On Wednesday night 8th of February in 2017, he breathed his last. True to his wishes, his body was taken to Manigam and laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard near Jamia Masjid Manigam. By Allah’s grace, countless people gathered for his namaz-e-janaza, a testament to the love and respect he had quietly earned.

Even today, I see him clearly — walking briskly to prayers in the snow, sitting with children sharing news, enjoying sweets, neatly dressed, calm, and upright. His life was simple yet full; humble yet dignified. He lived with honesty, devotion and deep respect for people and faith, touching everyone who knew him.

For our family, he will always remain Maamkakh — a name wrapped in love, respect, and gratitude. He bridged three generations, linking past and present, and continues to remind us that a life lived with loyalty, piety, humility, and dignity is a life truly well-lived.

May Allah grant him the highest ranks in Jannah and shower his soul with eternal peace. Ameen.

Syed Majid Gilani is a government officer by profession and a storyteller by passion. He writes about family values, moral wisdom, real-life memories, and emotions. He can be reached at syedmajid6676@gmail.com