Poet Aazim for promotion of Kashmiri language

Srinagar, May 16

The J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) today hosted an interactive session with US-based Kashmiri poet and author Muzaffar Aazim.

A JKAACL spokesman said the two-hour-long interaction was presided over by writer and poet Farooq Nazki, while secretary of the academy Aziz Hajini and writer Omkar Nath Koul were also present.

During the interaction, Aazim gave detailed accounts of his struggle for the promotion and development of Kashmiri language. He also recounted his association with Kashmir and spoke in detail about Kashmiri language and the need to popularise it, the spokesman said.

Known as a staunch advocate of Kashmiri language and culture, Aazim said Kashmiri was the best symbol of communal harmony. He also spoke about his association with great poets of his time and also answered questions from the audience.

In his welcome speech, Hajini, while recalling the contribution of Aazim, said after coming to know of the presence of the writer in the Valley, he decided to invite him “so as to afford lovers of Kashmiri language avenues of interaction with the prominent literary figure”.

Several dignitaries from different walks of life, including GR Sufi, Nasir Mirza, Prof Chaman Lal Sapru, Ayaz Rasool Nazki, Rukhsana Jabeen, Mushtaq Ahmad Mushtaq, Shafiq Qureshi, Mohammed Amin Bhat and GR Hasrat Gadda, participated in the event.

As a token of affection secretary of the academy Hajini presented a Kashmiri shawl to Aazim. — TNS