Sahitya Akademi’s efforts to preserve Kashmiri Leela

As part of its outreach programme, Sahitya Akademi New Delhi organised an impressive two day function at Jammu (January 5-6, 2024) to incorporate views vis-a-vis the current literary paradigms of Kashmir’s displaced writers community. The meet also carried forward the need to preserve the literary heritage handed over to the communities through “Kashmiri Leela – “the land’s native devotional poetic genre that has assumed spontaneity in the folk culture of Kashmir and an acceptance unsurpassed.

While distinguished guests like Prof. R.L.Hangloo, (Former Vice Chancellor of Kalyani and Allahabad University) an erudite scholar himself of the discipline of History presided over the function, Professor B.L.Zutshi (History, Kashmir and JNU Delhi) was the Chief Guest. Prof. P.N. Trisal was invited as a Guest of Honour.

In his inaugural address, Convenor Sahitya Akademi Board, Professor Shad Ramzan laid bare the contours of the two-day programme and the objective behind carrying out such an exercise. Since the first day’s programme focused on Kashmiri Leela– an evolutionary tradition of more than one and a half millennia, the speaker’s addresses threw light on the robust activity and output generated under it from the thirteenth century onwards under this genre. Both Hindu and Muslim saint poets of Kashmir utilized this to espouse the ardent spiritual values cherished by the communities in Kashmir.

Dr. Gulzar Ahmad Rather, a  great scholar of Kashmiri language presently with J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages J&K and also Member Kashmiri Advisory Board Sahitya Akademi New Delhi compered the proceedings in the most professional manner.

Prof. B.L Zutshi and Prof. P. N Trichel highlighted the contribution of Kashmiri poets  in the genure of Leela poetry. Prof. Hangloo, in his presidential address added important information about the development and exploration of Leela poetry and it’s origin in Kashmiri language.

History of Kashmir Leela

Dr. Sohan Lal Kaul, an eminent writer traced the history of Kashmiri Leela from its very inception. His lecture also threw light on the global trends and a comparative study of this devotional experimentation as the unique identity of Kashmir nurtured by Lalleshwari, Nund Reshi up to the stalwart Leela poets like Master Zinda Koul. Dr. Rattan Talashi, an eminent scholar of Kashmiri highlighted the facets of Kashmiri Leela. Both papers were highly acclaimed

The first session  was presided over by prof. R.L Talashi. Prof.  M.Z. Azurda and Prof. Shad Ramzan were also present in the presidium.

The first session extended beyond this point and four brilliant papers were presented by the invited speakers. The topics varied. While Kanwal Krishan Lidhoo, an eminent writer,  author, broadcaster and the Mentor of Kashmir Rechords highlighted Swami Krishan Joo Razdan’s contribution to popularize this genre to find mass acceptance as a devotional necessity, Vijay Wali’s focus was on the enrichment of Kashmiri language under this genre. Rinku Koul highlighted the contribution of a relatively unknown poet Vishna Razdan. This was a revelation as the poet’s devotional Leelas are sung by every Kashmiri in the mornings.Dr. Gulzar Ahmad Rather also presented his well-researched paper.

Vote of thanks was presented by Doly Tiko Arrval, Member Kashmiri Advisory Bard.  The session was moderated by Dr. Gulzar Ahmad Rather, member Kashmiri advisory board, New Delhi.

The concluding session was chaired by social and language activist G.R Hasrat Gadda. Noted poets A.K Naz and Santosh Shah Nadan were also present in the presidium. The acclaimed writers who presented their papers in the session were Avtar Hugami , B.N Betab, Ratan Lal Talashi and M.K Koul . The papers were followed by the discussions from the audience.

The programme was attended by eminent personalities like Prof. Ashok Aima, former vice chancellor of central university of Jammu, Piyare  Hatash, Dildar Mohan, P.N Raina, Satesh Safeer, Opender Lidhoo, Nancy Chetan, Rajni Bahar Dr. M.K Moza, Shabir Mujahid, Ayash Aarif and Bindra Band Shair.The faculty members of the college were also present in the session.

Vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Gulzar Ahmad Rather at the conclusion of the programme.

 

Arjan Dev Majboor’s Contribution

The day second (January 06, 2024) of the meet was an excellent exchange of ideas on the veteran poet, writer, historian and critique of the Kashmiri language Arjan Dev Majboor.  Professor Farooque Fayyaz of Kashmir University brilliantly eulogized the contribution of Shri Majboor in an erudite manner. Shri A. K. Naaz presented a profile picture of the late Poet and intellectual giant. Pyaare Hatash and Dildar Mohan presented their commentaries respectively.

Remembering Ajrjan Dev Majboor’s Contribution.

Around evening, the session ‘Nari Chetna’ (Female Awareness) revolved around contribution from Kashmir’s less talked yet equally brilliant segment of society – its women poets of today and yore who held fast to their reins of ancestral style and spontaneous delivery.

Prominent poets such as Nancy Chetna, Kusum Dhar, Rajni Bahar and Santosh Shah Nadaan presented their recitations. Member Sahitya Akademi advisory board Smt. Dolly Tickoo Arwal herself an accomplished poet presented her story.

The convener Kashmiri Advisory Board along with all the members  thanked Professor Shalini Rana of Govt. College of Education Jammu who provided all the support and logistics to conduct this literary meet.