Humans fear death. But all of them do not love life either. Some God-fearing men have an ardent desire to die in the name of religion, others want to be sacrificed in the name of their sweethearts. Lord Bacon aptly articulated that “MEN fear death”. The fear of death, Bacon goes on to argue, is often because of the influence of religious books, inadequate philosophies or the death of a loved one. “Groans, and convulsions, and a discolored face, and friends weeping, and blacks, and obsequies, and the like, show death terrible,” Bacon observed.
John Keats told his ladylove, Fanny Brawne: “I have been astonished that Men could die Martyrs for religion – I have shudder‘d at it – I shudder no more – I could be martyr‘d for my Religion – Love is my religion – I could die for that – I could die for you.” Of course, Fanny never wanted him to die but to love her, as Josephine wanted Napoleon to stay mad for her.
Muhammad Ali Sadpara, a climber who lived a life beyond our imagination, will never come back from K2. His love for mountains has immortalized his existence. Ali Sadpara is not DEAD; I am sure he will be alive hundreds of years after we shall be dead.#AliSadpara
— Farah Adeed (@Farah_adeed) February 18, 2021
Religions and saints attempted to define the meaning of life for humankind, but philosophers and poets always raised disturbing questions to create some rebels. To philosophers and poets, life begins and ends with passion. Those who carry out the project practically are an exception in a world full of conformists.
Neither convoluted religious interpretations mixed with superstitions nor the grief of lost loved ones could influence the life Muhammad Ali Sadpara lived. As a great exception, he was in love with mountains. He loved, touched, kissed, and hugged the mountains. Sadpara, unlike his fellows in the village, found life in snow and the Savage Mountain. Financial challenges aside, even death failed to deter his passion. He loved mountains as a child loves his mother.
Sadpara, the son of the mountains, went to K2 and decided not to come back. K2 respected his decision and embraced him for good. He has just faded into his love. Sadpara has faded into memory and history: he is at the top of K2 and can see all of us. Anybody remembering K2 will never miss recalling Sadpara…
Read More:Pakistani Ali Sadpara, two foreign climbers goes missing during K2 expedition
We know that there would be endless talks and deep silence between Sapara and K2. John Snorri and Juan Pablo Mohr, Sadpara’s companions, would be witnessing the moment; Sadpara becoming one with his love. K2 was for Sadpara what Joséphine was for Napoleon and Fanny for Keats.
One of the lessons of life is that those who lose their lives while achieving their goals are never dead. Bacon writes: “He that dies in an earnest pursuit, is like one that is wounded in hot blood; who, for the time, scarce feels the hurt; and therefore a mind fixed, and bent upon somewhat that is good, doth avert the dolors of death. But, above all, believe it, the sweetest canticle is’, Nunc dimittis; when a man hath obtained worthy ends, and expectations. Death hath this also; that it openeth the gate to good fame, and extinguisheth envy.”
Read More:Ali Sadpara becomes first Pakistani to scale world’s fifth largest peak in Nepal
Yes, Sadpara is not going to come back. It does not mean he is dead. He has been immortalized. Yes, he is not DEAD; I am sure he will be alive hundreds of years after we shall be dead. He is there in the soft arms of his beloved—at the top of the K2—- and celebrating life in his own way. He achieved what he wanted to: an inextinguishable relationship with K2. His wish to be with K2 has ultimately defeated death—it failed to silence him. Sadpara is K2 and K2 is Sadpara.
Long live, legend!
Farah Adeed is Assistant Editor, Global Village Space (GVS). The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s Editorial Policy.