Bandipora, Jun 13 (KNO): Literary Forum Bandipora (LFB) on Saturday observed its annual Nazki Day to commemorate the literary legacy of Prof. Rashid Nazki, releasing his book ‘Irfanuk Pai’ and honouring late poet Farooq Nazki and noted writer Prof. Naseem Shafaie for their contributions to Kashmiri language and literature.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the Literary Forum Bandipora (LFB) organised its annual Nazki Day programme to commemorate the literary legacy of Prof. Rashid Nazki and highlight his contribution to the promotion and development of the Kashmiri language and literature.
He said noted scholars, poets, writers and literary activists from across Kashmir attended the event. Among those present were Prof. Sonauallah Parvaiz, Dr. Ayaz Rasool Nazki, Majrooh Rashid, President Adbi Markaz Kamraz Mohammad Amin Bhat, Dr. Rafiq Masoodi, Shafaq Sopori, Dr. Maroof Shah, M. Yousuf Mashoor, Mir Dachigami, Mubashir Saleem Nazki, Sufi Showkat, Mir Tariq, Dr. Adil Mohiuddin, Mansoor Muntazir, Sheikh Saleem, Fayaz Tilgami, Tanha Nizami, Ayoub Dilber, Rashid Jawahar and Abid Ashraf.
The spokesperson said poet and researcher Basharat Fauqir presented a paper examining the literary works and intellectual contributions of Prof. Rashid Nazki.
“Delivering the keynote address, Majrooh Rashid described Nazki as a poet who helped revive Persian and Central Asian influences in Kashmiri literature and played a significant role in shaping the modern literary identity of the language,” he said.
The spokesperson said that, recalling his association with the late poet, Dr. Ayaz Rasool Nazki shared personal memories and anecdotes highlighting Prof. Nazki’s influence in literary and public life.
Mohammad Amin Bhat said the enduring relevance of Nazki's work could be seen in the continued growth of institutions founded by him, including Literary Forum Bandipora and Adbi Markaz Kamraz.
“Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Sonauallah Parvaiz described Prof. Nazki as a poet of thought, existence and metaphysics whose writings engaged with philosophical and theological questions. He said Nazki consistently worked for the preservation and development of language and culture.”
The spokesperson said that a major highlight of the event was the posthumous conferment of the Nazki Award on late poet and former Director of Doordarshan, Farooq Nazki, in recognition of his contribution to Kashmiri language and literature.
The award was received by his daughter, Roohi Nazki, while the citation was read by Dr. Adil Mohiuddin. Farooq Nazki, a noted poet in both Kashmiri and Urdu, was widely known for his works exploring themes of identity, memory, love and social realities. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1995 for his Kashmiri poetry collection ‘Naar Hyutun Kanzal Wanas’.
“The Forum also conferred the Charaag-e-Sukhan Award on Prof. Naseem Shafaie for her recent publication Bu Vanyeth Zaan Kass. Prof. Shafaie is regarded as a leading contemporary Kashmiri poet and became the first Kashmiri woman to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award for Kashmiri literature in 2011.”
“On the occasion, Prof. Rashid Nazki’s book ‘Irfanuk Pai’ was also released. The event concluded with a poetry session sponsored by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, chaired by Prof. Naseem Shafaie, Shahnaz Rashid, Munawar Parwana and Gul Tanveer,” said the spokesperson.
He added that more than a dozen poets presented their latest poetry, enthralling the audience. The programme was supported by The Kashmir Convener, the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Shudh Spices, Design and Eff Ess Traders. LFB President Sufi Showkat presented the vote of thanks—(KNO)