Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 12: Centre for Kashmiri Language, Literature and Culture (CKLLC) organized a function where an English book titled `Lal Ded’- The Backbone of Kashmiri Culture’, written by young author Vinod Kumar, was released.
The book is on the life and teachings of Lalleshwari, popularly known as Lal Ded in Kashmir. It is a 251 page book in which first 60 pages cover the life history of Lal Ded and the remaining 190 pages cover her popular Vaakhs. Lalleshwari, popularly known as Lal Ded, was a 14th century saint, poetess and philosopher of Kashmir. A great Yogini and mystic of Kashrniri Shaivite sect, Lal Ded had the distinction of expressing Shiv Sutras through her 4-liner verses called as Vaakhs. She propagated the real concept of Kashmiri Shaivism that too in local language. She was revered by both Hindus and Muslims.
A Mechanical Engineer by profession, Er.Vinod Kumar is an emerging writer from J&K
who apart from his professional responsibilities, is also devoting his leisure time to literature. He has written the Vaakhs as well as their interpretations in English in a lucid manner so that the younger generation and even those who do not know Kashrniri language, can read the book and benefit from it.
The book release function was attended by a galaxy of intellectuals, writers and poets. The function was presided over by Swami Kumar Ji (founder of Geeta Satsang Ashram Muthi) while Aziz Hajini (Secretary JKAACL) was the guest of honour.
Other dignitaries on the dais included Farooq Nazki, P N Shad and Ramesh Hangloo
(Director Radio Sharda). Rohit Pandita conducted the proceedings.
Soon after the book release, a young girl Amisha Pandit read the popular Vaakhs from the book. Rinku Koul gave a brief introduction about the author. Promila Koul Pandita read the detailed paper on the book.
Er Vinod Kumar, in his address, laid stress on preserving the roots and heritage of our civilization. He said that Lal Ded is such a vast subject and the Vaakhs have such a deep meaning that a complete book can be written on each Vaakh.
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