Masoodi’s Panun Doud Panen Dug released

Adbee Markaz Kamraz (AMK) today organised a  literary function to releasee  “Panun Doud Panen Dug,”the Kashmiri  poetic collection of its Vice-President Dr Rafeeq Masoodi.  Prof Rahman Rahi presided over the function with Muhammad Yusuf Taing, Muhammad Shafi Pandit, Dr Aziz Hajni and Dr Shujaat Bukhari in the presidium. Dr Masoodi’s mother joined the presidium to release the book.

In his presidential address, Prof Rahman Rahi delved on the theme of the poetic collection terming it one of the few contemporary poetry in Kashmiri language which has bluntly described the pain and agony of the poet’s motherland. “Dr Masoodi’s poetry inspires the reader on one hand and on the other hand reminds him of the lost ethos of the society,” he said. Prof Rahi appreciated Dr Masoodi for daring to tread the unusual path in his poetic expression, saying  he has dealt with the subjects of human relations and social issues with simplicity yet powerfully.

Terming the book as a potent addition to the richness of Kashmiri poetry, Muhammad Yusuf Taing said the poet has described his own experiences in a novel way which is actually portayal of the life and times of an ordinary Kashmiri. “Dr Masoodi’s style is simple yet aesthetic in presentation; he has described his views, experiences and aspirations in a way that reader identifies himself with it,” he observed. Lauding AMK for its efforts to revive Kashmiri language and literature, Taing emphasised that all shades of civil society have to join hands with it to preserve and promote the language.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Baramulla and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig said Kashmiri language is one of the eight distinguished  languages of the world which are rich in grammer and vocabulary . Saying that Kashmiri language is “full of possibilities to reach to the literary zenith,” Baig however expressed disappointment that people are not speaking the language with their children. “This  trend can have dangerous repercussions; because those who don’t speak their mother tongue are doomed to lose their identity,” he maintained.  Appreciating AMK for its work, Baig suggested to initiate awareness campaigns through workshops and seminars to educate people about the importance of mother tongue.

In his remarks Dr Masoodi said he drew inspiration from his motherland and her times. “I wrote what I observed, and what influenced me; it is in fact spontaneous flow of my thoughts which have been put on paper,” he said. He thanked Rafiabad Adbee Markaz, its president  Shahnaz  Rasheed and other colleagues who encouraged and helped him to publish his poetic collection.

Earlier in his welcome address, Amk President Dr Aziz Hajni said Dr Masoodi’s book is yet another proof that Kashmiri language  has reasons to  hope that quality poetry is being written. However,  he said creating literature is essential but there should be readers for the books for which teaching the language as academic subject in schools and colleges is important.  Dr Hajni said that AMK has actively collaborated with civil society to make its language more vibrant and inclusive.

Inayat Gul presented review about the book while as Farooq Nazki, Rafiq Raaz, Shahnaz Rasheed and Muhammad Shafi Pandit also spoke on the occassion.

Presenting the vote of thanks, AMK General Secretary Dr Shujaat Bukhari sought cooperation from all sections of society to promote and preserve Kashmiri lanuage, literature and culture. “AMK is in communication with the government about introduction of Kashmiri in 9th and 10th classes. We need support from all sections of society to achieve this and otehr goals,” he said.

A galaxy of poets, writers and academicians attended the literary event. They include:  Qayoom Wadera, Khalid Bashir Ahmad, Atiqa Bano, Prof Muhammad Zamaan Azurdah, Ayaz Rasool Nazki, Mushtaq Ahmad Mushtaq, Zareef Ahmad Zareef,  Ghulam Nabi Gouhar, Syed Zeeshan Fazil, Rukhsana Jabeen, Dr Altaf, G D Tahir, G R Azad, Qazi Muhammad Amin, Qazi Ghulam Rasool, Zahid Mukhtar, Shahid Rasool,  Ghulam Nabi Masoodi, Zameer Ansari, Muhammad Amin Bhat, Ghulam Nabi Shakir, Khursheed Qureshi, Nisar Azam, Hassan Azhar, Ashraf Tak and  Abdul Salam Bajad.