Cultural academy remembers Gojri writer

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 11

The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages organised a day-long programme at the academy headquarters here to remember the contributions of renowned Gojri writer and poet Ch Naseem Poonchi, who died on July 28.

Chief editor of the academy Javaid Rahi said Poonchi was a trendsetter writer of the Gojri language. Remembering his contributions, he said: “Being an activist of the Gojri language and culture his contribution will be remembered for all times to come. He also translated a number of world classics from Arabic and Persian including Masnavi Maulana Room (Rumi) in six volumes, Gulistan e Sadi, Karwan e Madina, Rubayat e Umar Khayam and many others.” Academy secretary Dr Aziz Hajini said the academy will publish Naseem Poonchi Number shortly and we will organise a two-day seminar on his literary contributions as he had played a key role in developing the language.

Mian Gulzar Khatana recalled Poonchi’s association with prominent Sufi Saint Mian Nizamudin Larvi and their family.