The literature of Kashmiri language is richest amongst all the literatures of the globe. It is reflected from the multitude of Kashmiri literary items being continuously translated into almost all major languages of the globe. The rich legacy of this language has been nourished from fifteenth century through saintly figures like Lala Ded, Sheikh-ul-Alam and Habba Khatoon. During modern times of 19th and 20th centuries, litterateurs like Abdul Ahad Azad, Mehjoor, Dina Nath Nadim, Amin Kamil and Gh Nabi Khayal have played a crucial role in it’s promotion and upgradation. In contemporary times, Rehman Rahi, Shafi Shouq, Naseem Shafayi, Shad Ramzan, Mehfooza Jan and many others are carrying farword the mission of conserving it’s rich legacy and making it reachable to global audience. Many organisations and literary forums are regularly conducting seminars, conferences, debates and symposiums to uplift it and making it a dominant regional language of the State. It is due to their selfless and untiring efforts that it has been introduced and made compulsory as the sixth subject in all government and private schools upto class 8th few years ago. In every corner of the JK, these literary forums and platforms seem vibrant and work with utmost zeal and dedication for the promotion of Kashmiri literature. However amongst all these literary organizations, Adbi Markaz Kamraz Jammu Kashmir is a special and vibrant one, oldest among all and having an affluent past. It is regularly conducting sessions to give hope to newer litteratuers, receiving guidance from the seniors and bringing all under a single common high-sprited umbrella platform.
The 44th Annual Conference of this organization was conducted on November 2&3 which concluded successfully at North Campus of Kashmir University in Baramulla district after two days of insightful exchanges on language, literature, and art. Speakers during the event reiterated the call for classical status for the Kashmiri language. The Conference was a five-session event, which began on Saturday, featured engaging discussions from scholars, independent researchers, academics, and professors, covering key topics such as language, linguistic movements, and the socio-political dimensions of literature in Kashmir.
The proceedings of the event were conducted by well-known poet Farooq Shaheen. It began with the recitation of some verses from glorious Quran, followed by the reading of Naat by prominent young poet Sagar Sarfaraz. Soon the Tarana of the organization was played through a projector so that it could be viewed by a big gathering there. It is pertinent to mention that the Tarana has been composed by legendary poet Margoob Banihali, it’s translated version is of Shafi Shouq, an ace poet, critic, author and linguist and sung by popular vocalist Waheed Jeelani. After being mesmerized by the musical lyrics of tarana, distinguished novelist Dr Suhan Lal Koul presented the key note adress. Hon’ble vice chancellor of SKUAST Kashmir, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganie delivered an insightful and coherent lecture emphasizing the conservation and propagation of Kashmiri literature. It was followed by a brief question answer session in which junior writers sought logical answers to some questioned raised by them during the session. Prof Shad Ramzan, Prof Naseem Shifayi, Shahnaz Rashid, Mohd Amin Bhat and Dr Showkat Shifa, Riyaz Rabani, Sagar Sarfaraz etc participated in the lively event. It was presided over by noted columnist and intellectual Ajaz-ul-Haque. A short and concise poetry recitation session soon followed after that in which many young as well as acclaimed poets read their poetic items.
For the dinner and night stay of guests some extraordinary arrangements were made by the zealous volunteers of Adbi Markaz Kamraz. The traditional Kashmiri wazwan was served to all the guests in a vast room beside the main library hall of North Campus. Gulzar Ahmad Ganie, popular vocalist and famous due to his melodious voice across the valley sang some heart-melting sufi songs. Next day ie Sunday’s sessions opened with a resolution-themed session, presided over by noted academician Prof. Farooq Fayaz. MLA Baramulla Javaid Hassan Beigh, former Director Doordarshan Shabir Mujahid, and Dr. Mudasir Rasool Bhat shared the stage, while Majeed Majazi and AMK President presented two resolutions. Mir Tariq conducted the proceedings of the first session. Noted poet Naseem Shifaye and theatre/film director Mushtaq Ali Khan supported the resolution by Majeed Majazi, while Ayash Arif and Dr. Rafiq Masoodi supported the one presented by the AMK President. Dr. Mudasir Rasool Bhat delivered a detailed research paper on the theme “Artificial Intelligence and the Kashmiri Language.” MLA Baramulla Javaid Hassan Beigh, the chief guest, spoke about the critical role of language in a society’s socio-political landscape and emphasized the importance of preserving culture and language. He also highlighted the role of literature in combating social issues. Prof. Farooq Fayaz, in his presidential address, discussed the role of governing institutions in language evolution. He noted Kashmiri’s rich history and emphasized the need for its alignment with modern technological advancements. On the topic of artificial intelligence, he cautioned against allowing AI to overshadow human thought. The award distribution ceremony was presided over by the distinguished poet Prof. Zaman Azruda, joined by Dr. Sameer Sadeeqi, MLA Tangmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah, and Advocate Nilofer, President of the Bar Association Baramulla. The event included a special session on October 16, aimed at creating a unique platform for Native American literature. Dr. Rafiq Masoodi, former Director General of Doordarshan, received the prestigious Sharf-i-Kamraz award for 2023, while the 2024 award went to acclaimed poet and writer Aseer Kashtawari.
Two AMK units, Idara-i-Tehqeeqo Adab J&K and Inder Cultural Forum, also received Sharf-i-Kamraz for 2023 and 2024, respectively. Gulzar Ganie was honored with the Khilat-i-Hanfi for his contributions to art and culture, Ghulam Rasool Shah for his dedication to education, and Moulana Dr. Sameer Siddiq for his use of pure Kashmiri in his sermons. Prof. Zaman Azruda reflected on AMK’s enduring resilience and dedication to promoting the Kashmiri language and literature. Dr. Sameer Siddiqui, in his lecture, described language as a symbol of absolute power that evolves to meet the needs of the times, and praised Adbi Markaz Kamraz’s efforts in this direction. A Kashmiri Nikah Nama was also unveiled during the session. Shabnum Teligami, AMK’s General Secretary, conducted the proceedings for the second session. For last many years I have been routinely attending such literary events held across the valley but the one conducted under the aegies of Adbi Markaz Kamraz was a marvelous one aiming to promote Kashmiri literature, acknowledging the contribution made by the writers irrespective of their background and affiliation. Such selfless and altruistic features of AMK are making it eccentric and exceptional, it’s objective and main motif is to serve, promote and propagate language, culture, art and literature of Kashmiri. May this diligent and determined literary forum progress by leaps and bounds.
The is a writer is a columnist hailing from Qazigund Kashmir.
