Kashmiri writers disappointed at litfest cancellation

Several Kashmiri writers have expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the much-anticipated Harud literature festival in Srinagar. Twitter users have also registered their protest on the microblogging site.

Srinagar-based poet Naseem Shafaie feels that the festival offered a good opportunity for those writing in Dogri, Ladakhi and Kashmiri to display their talent. "I was looking forward to hear what writers from these regions think in today's time, especially since we don't get to read them in Kashmir. It's an opportunity lost for them," says Shafaie, whose first collection of poetry, Derche Machrith (Open Windows), was much appreciated.

Expressing disappointment over the cancellation of the litfest which was scheduled to be held next month, another Srinagar-based author and academic Neerja Mattoo said that "If Waheed Mirza (The Collaborator) and Sanjay Kak (Until my freedom has come) could release their books in Srinagar, surely those who write in Kashmiri, Dogri and Ladakhi should have had the freedom to showcase their literary talent before writers of international repute. That they have been deprived of this opportunity is a shame."

Full report here Times of India 

Bilingual mushaira held at Bandipora

A district level bilingual mushaira was held at the auditorium of the Girls Higher Secondary School Bandipora Sunday, March 28 afternoon in which poets from different parts of the district recited their poems in Kashmiri and Urdu language.

The Literary Forum Bandipora (LFB) in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Academy organized the mushaira in which around 20 poets participated and recited their poetry.

Prof Rashid Nazki, renowned Kashmiri poet and writer inaugurated the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Nazki said Kashmir was today a dying language and he would welcome youngsters to get introduced to it so that further research work could be done on this language.

Nazki promised that help would be given to scholars, teachers and social workers who are willing to work for the spread of Kashmir language in schools both in private and government institutions.

Full report here Rising Kashmir

Tarannum’s Mera Rakht-e-Safar gets best book award

The prominent Urdu writer Tarannum Riyaz’s book, Mera Rakht-e-Safar has bagged the best book award for the year 2009-10 announced by the JK Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, a spokesman of the Academy said in a statement.

He said besides Tarannum, books of eight other writers in different languages bagged the awards. In Kashmiri, the award has gone to Yim Maine Sokhan, a collection of poetry and short stories by Amin Kamil. Ved Rahi’s book on Lal Ded has been declared as the best book in Dogri language.

In English, Dr Farooq Fayaz’s Kashmiri Folklore has bagged the prize, while Rang Rutan Gulzar of Sabir Mirza and Jaan-e-Gazal of Jan Muhammad Hakeem have bagged the award in Pahari and Gojri languages respectively, in Punjabi, Band Darwazey Da Birtand by Harbhajan Singh Sagar and in Hindi, Me Samunder Hi Ho Sakta Tha by Shyam Bihari and Gan Shar Sems Ki Melong by Tsering Chospal in Ladhakhi have bagged the prizes respectively.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs 51000, citations and shawls, the spokesman said.

Full report here Greater Kashmir

Gojri conference held at Kathua

A two day Gojri Ethno-Cultural Conference organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages was hled at Kathua at Town Hall on March 28 and 29. More than 300 prominent writers, poets, artists, intellectuals and observers from Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining states participated in this event, being organized after the gap of two year in the state.

In his inaugural address Mian Bashir Ahmed said that since 1947 Gujjars are fighting a full-fledged war for their existence. He impressed upon the intellectuals and writers of Gujjars community to chalk out a strategy for future and act upon vigorously and forcefully. He said the Gojri is one of the ancient languages of India and we have to jointly work for its preservation and propagation.

In his address Dr Javaid Rahi, Head of Gojri wing of State Academy stated that we are expecting tangible results from this conference. He said that Gojri wing of academy has devised a two way plan to develop the Gojri in a time frame manner. "On the one side we are publishing the rare of the rarest books of Gojri and modern literature and on the other hand we are working on a prestigious project where under 50 world classics of English, Arabic, Persian and Sanskrit to be rendered into Gojri till 2010."