Book on Rasul Mir released at KU

We must be proud of our literary traditions: VC, Urging the young writers to devise a proper theory and philosophy of literary criticism for Kashmiri literature, Vice Chancellor Kashmir University, Riyaz Punjabi Monday said people of Kashmir should be proud of literary traditions of Kashmir.

Punjabi was speaking at a release function of a book titled ‘Rasool Mir: Nadir Sukhan Goe’ on Kashmiri poet Rasool Mir at Ibn Khaldoon auditorium, Kashmir University. The function was organized by Adbee Markaz Kamraz, an organization dedicated to the promotion of Kashmiri literature in collaboration with Iqbal Library, Kashmir University. The book is written by Dr Nazir Azaad and is a philosophical literary review of Mir’s poetry.

Punjabi, who was also the chief guest of the event said, “We should try to search the different dimensions of our literature.”

He also stressed on the need that there should be proper space for debate and meaningful criticism, “but this would not mean that we should go all out and dismantle a person instead of objecting to his views.”

His views were echoed by Prof Rahman Rahi, who presided over the function.

“We need to give attention to the fact that not just Persian and Urdu have influenced our poetry but there are Sanskrit influences as well.”  said Rahi. He also lauded the efforts of Dr Nazir in writing the book.

“The author has shown us that there are lots of dimensions to each verse of Rasool Mir,” he added.

The function was also distinct as some persons from USA expressed their opinion about the book through video conferencing.

Muneeb-ur-Rehman, a Kashmiri poet from Virginia, USA, talking said that the book was extremely well organized and presented a thesis on poetry of Rasool Mir. “This book is very important to understand Mir and his poetry.” he said.

Muzaffar Aazim, another senior Kashmiri poet, also addressed from US through video conferencing. He said the writer has opposed some established writers on the same topic but the beauty with good writers is that they can differ and dissent and agree to disagree.

Chief Librarian, Iqbal Library, Riyaz Rufai while speaking on the occasion made an appeal to everyone who has records of Kashmir literature available to come forward and contribute the same to the library. “There is an urgent need to preserve our literature for the posterity. A lot may have already been lost,” he said.

The president of Adbi Markaz Kamraz, Dr Aziz Hajni thanked the VC for promoting such events. “Prof Punjbai has always promoted events of Kashmiri literature,” he said.

Senior journalist and Secretary   General, Adbee Markaz Kamraz,  Dr Shujaat Bukhari spoke about the contributions made by Markaz in promoting  Kashmiri language and literature .

The author of the book, Dr Nazir Azaad made an emotional appeal to audience for feedback. “I have said what I wanted to say about the topic through my book. Now I invite criticism and debate about the same,” he added.The function was attended by a number of senior faculty members of the university, distinguished poets and writers of Kashmiri among many others.