Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Jan 4: A 2-day Gojri Literary and Cultural Festival organized by J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) was inaugurated here at Dak Banglow.
The opening programme was attended by a large gathering including prominent Gojri writers, poets and tribal dignitaries drawn from twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
Veteran Gojri writer, Ch Gulzar Khatana, presided over the function while Dr Javaid Rahi, Chief Editor, JKAACL, prominent Gojri Scholar, Prof MK Waqar, Moulana Amir-ud-Din Shamsi and Dr Shah Nawaz, Editor-cum-Cultural Officer and Dr Alamdar Hussain Shah Adam, Cultural Officer, Rajouri were in the presidium.
Dr Javaid Rahi in his inaugural speech stated that this two day long first ever floating festival in Gojri language was designed to promote Gujjar Culture in a vibrant manner. He said that more than 150 artists, poets and writers from border areas of the State are participating in this cultural festival, which will be held in Poonch and Rajouri districts aiming to search new talent of border districts in tribal languages.
In his presidential address, Ch Gulzar Khatana said that the writer and artists’ community have a key role in construction of identities. He impressed upon the intellectuals of Tribal language Gojri to guide the down trodden community through their writings.
After inaugural session, five research papers on different aspects of Gujjar History, Culture Language and folklore were presented by eminent scholars— Ch Munshi Khan, Dr Sabir Mirza, Abdul Haq, Gulzar Khatana and Farooq Riaz.
A Mehfil-e-Afsana was also held on the occasion, which was presided over by prominent writer, Nissar Rahi. Those who presented short stories in Gojri included Noor Mohammad Bhatti, Dr Mirza Khan Waqar, Dr A R qadri and others.
In musical evening renowned Gojri artists enthralled the audience with their spellbound performances. A Gojri Mushaira was also held which was presided over by eminent Gojri writer, Dr Sabir Mirza.
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