Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 12: Dr R L Bhat’s new book God’s response to Iqbal’s complaint in Kashmiri in which God asks him (Iqbal) to shun sectarianism as He (God) is not confined to one sect or one place but He is in entire universe as in Arab as well as India “Kul Chhu Kunuy” hits stands today.
The book was released at K L Segal Hall of Cultural Academy here this afternoon at a function organized by Samprati an organization of exiled writers. The function was attended by a galaxy of writers, poets and intellectuals from both regions of the State. It was presided over by noted writer, Prof P N Trisal while Dr Aziz Hajini, Secretary Cultural Academy was the special Invitee.
In Dr R L Bhat’s book, which is in responding to Iqbal’s complaint “God says that I have always been there,. I have been there since ages when the Universe came into form and I am not confined to Arab alone as I control entire universe and I am as of India as of Arab”,.
Dr R L Bhat said Kul Chhu Kunuy meaning that the totality of the Godhead is one, Universal and all encompassing. It is a poem of 13 and a half cantos. It is written as the response of Lord God, Bhagavaan, Iishar, Allah, Rub whichever name you choose to the complaint which Iqbal wrote as his famous Urdu poem Shikva.
The response is in Kashmiri language. He said Iqbal himself had written Javaabi Shikva, the response of Allah to his poem again in Urdu.
Dr Bhat said “the Iqbal’s Shikva and Javaab are written from the point of view of one religion and the response written by me (Dr Bhat), in Kashmiri , is from the Lord of all things great and small, the font of all religions on the earth, would hardly have replied in as a singular upholder”.
He said in Kul Chhu Kunuy response of the Lord of all is universalism, one that acknowledges all peoples, all religions, the pluralism of humankind, the diversity of faiths. It is an accommodating, all encompassing Lord looking to all. The Lord God also asks Iqbal to rise above the narrow sights and advises that he should look at the creation with a broader vision.
The speakers including Dr Hajni termed the work of Dr Bhat a daring exercise which needs a lot of courage. Dr Hajni in his address however differed with certain points in the book. But his contention was later rejected by Prof P N Trisal in his presidential address who termed Dr Bhat’s book a great work and contribution to society as well as mankind.
The welcome address was made by Dr Roshan Saraf , president Samprati, while Ashok Gowhar , Dr R L Bhat and Pardeep Khodbaly recited the poems from the book.
Two thought provoking papers on the book were read by Dr Rattan Lal Talashi and Jagar Nath Sagar a well known writer and poet. The vote of thanks was proposed by Ashok Gowhar vice president Samprati. The stage was managed by Tej Sagar, treasurer Samprati.
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