Srinagar: Former Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (AACL) Dr Aziz Hajini passed away after prolonged illness at his residence in Srinagar Saturday night. He was 64.
He was buried to rest on Sunday.
A well-known Kashmiri writer and poet, he has authored over a dozen books.He has taught at Centre for Shaikh-ul Aalam Studies, University of Kashmir until 2019.
Dr Hajini was the first Gold Medalist in the Kashmiri language from the University of Kashmir. He had done translations of many books from English to Kashmiri. Besides being the Sahitya Akademy award winner, he was also conferred New Delhi Award for best translation in Kashmiri for the year 2013.
Dr Hajini was the Convener of Kashmiri Advisory Board Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi from 2008 to 2012. He was also a Member of the Expert Committee for Granting Senior and Junior Fellowships in Literature, Ministry of Culture Government of India since 2009.
His demise was widely condoled in Kashmir.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the demise of Dr Hajini has a left a big void in the literary circles of J&K. Hajini , a noted writer & former Secretary Cultural Academy was also the author of numerous acclaimed books. His absence in Art & culture circuit will be deeply felt May his soul rest in eternal peace, PDP said.
Expressing shock and grief over the untimely and unfortunate demise of renowned poet, writer, scholar Dr Hajni, CPI (M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami has termed the death as an irreparable loss.
Terming him a compassionate man of great conviction, he said that Dr Aziz Hajni was known for his works in the field of Kashmiri literature.
While expressing solidarity with the bereaved family, Tarigami said that his death has created a void in the Kashmiri literature which is very difficult to fill.
Apni Party (AP) President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday expressed deep shock and grief over the demise of Dr Hajini .
In his condolence message issued here, Bukhari described Dr Hajini as an epitome of humility, intellect and compassion.
Bukhari lauded his contribution as the convenor of Sahitya Akademi for New Delhi’s Northern Regional Board besides other official assignments.
“His demise has left a huge void in Kashmir’s literary and intellectual strata. His contribution towards cultural renaissance especially with regards to reviving the spirit of Kashmiriyat during his stint as secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages will be remembered for times to come,” Bukhari observed.
He said that Dr Hajini was an excellent guide and teacher who would be very keen to inculcate qualities of philanthropy and cultural insights among his students. “The deceased has left behind a legacy of literary works as he was author to dozens of books written in Kashmiri, Urdu and English,” Bukhari observed.
Expressing solidarity with the bereaved family, relatives and students, Bukhari prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul and patience to his family to bear this irreparable loss.