Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Mar 21: For the first time, J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages and Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, are jointly organizing a 2-day Jammu and Kashmir Literary Festival at Rabindra Bhavan here from today.
During the two days, noted writers and scholars representing various languages of the State will exchange their views about different aspects of literature in J&K giving an overview of the various forms of writings in the State.
Noted Dogri writer, Padma Sachdeva, who was guest of honour at the event, inaugurated the festival while president Sahitya Akademi, Prof V P Tiwari presided over the proceedings of the inaugural session. Principal Resident Commissioner of J&K, Rakesh Gupta was guest of honour. A large number of writers, poets, and lovers of languages and literature were present.
In the inaugural session today, prominent writer and researcher, Chaman Lal Hakhu presented his keynote address. He spoke about the quality of literature in Jammu and Kashmir.
The pre-lunch session was marked by panel discussion on contemporary poetry of Jammu and Kashmir in world scenario in which writers Satish Vimal (Hindi), Mohan Singh (Dogri), Mushtaq Haider (Urdu), Mukhtar Ahmad Mukhtar (Shina), Baljit Raina (Punjabi) and Sibte Kalim (Balti) took part.
In the post-lunch session, short story reading was held in which Khalid Hussain (Punjabi), Amin Qamar (Gojri), Mushtaq Ahmad Mushtaq (Kashmiri), KD Maini (Pahari), and Deepak Budki (Urdu) participated.
Earlier, while presenting welcome address, Secretary JKAACL, Dr Aziz Hajini underscored the need for preservation of regional languages and said that to achieve this aim JKAACL has been making strenuous efforts.
In his introductory remarks, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, Dr K Shrinivasa Roa expressed the hope that outcome of such events will go a long way in achieving the target for which these programmes are held.
Padma Sachdeva laid stress on promotion and development of mother tongues stating that no community can live longer without its language. She also advised the people to converse in their own respective mother tongues.
Rakesh Gupta, J&K’s Sr. Principal Resident Commissioner at New Delhi also spoke on the occasion.
Today’s programme culminated with ghazal sandhya in which Dhananjay Koul and Rashid Jehangir sang soulful ghazals.
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