RAJOURI: Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) and Himalayan Education Mission (HEM) on Saturday jointly organised literary programme at Himalayan College, here.
A galaxy of writers , poets and intellectuals participated in the event and spoke about the importance of contemporary literary traditions emerging in regional languages especially in Pahari and Gojri besides literary traditions emerging in Urdu was also discussed.
Prominent Urdu poet Pt. Vidya Rattan Aasi, young Pahari writer Swami Antar Nero and famous Gojri poet and singer Ch. Ayaz Saif were Special Guests while the prominent intellectual of the area Azam Shah presided over the function.
Dr. Javaid Rahi, Chief Editor of Academy, Farooq Muztar, Chairman of Himalayan Education Mission and renowned artist Raj Kumar Behropia were also in the presidium.
Pt. Vidhya Rattan Aasi stated that Urdu is a powerful language in term of its literary traditions of hundreds of years. He also recited his latest compositions in shape of Ghazals, Nazams and other creative pieces of poetry. Swami Antar Nero not only recited his Pahari poetry but also spoke about the dying traditions of Pahari culture. Ch. Ayaz Saif mesmerised the audience by singing couplets from mystical poetry of prominent Gojri poet Ch. Khuda Baksh Zar Poonchi.
In his presidential address, Azam Shah, stressed upon the students and youth of the State to link themselves with art and cultural traditions to enrich their intellect.
He said, “We have a proud inheritance at our back and this is our duty to get old traditions alive by practicing it through various mediums.” Farooq Muztar said that the vibrancy of contemporary literary traditions have been immensely felt in the literature written in regional languages of State.
He said, “Our education system should adopt such a policy that will carry our literary traditions in curriculum and other study material.”
Others who spoke on the occasion included Khurisheed Bismal, Mohd Iqbal Shawl , Talib Malik , Rashid Qamar, Dr. Mohd Saleem Wani.
The programme concluded with adaptation of condolence resolutions. The participants condoled the sad demises of prominent Urdu, Pahari and Gojri poet Dr. Sabar Mirza, mothers of young Urdu poet Dr. Liaqat Jaffari and Sheikh Khalid Krar. A two minutes silence was observed on the occasion in the memory of departed souls.