GANDERBAL, JUNE 12: In a compelling celebration of Kashmir’s rich literary and cultural heritage, Sahitya Akademi, in collaboration with the Department of Kashmiri, Government Degree College Ganderbal, organized two remarkable literary events on the college campus today—Gramalok and Asmita.
The day unfolded with Gramalok, a vibrant session that featured prominent male poets—Azhar Nazir, Wajid Hussain, Hatif Hameed, Ashiq Ahmad, Shabnam Shabir, Jehangir Ganastani, and Ashiq Wani—whose verses echoed the earthy wisdom and deep-rooted traditions of rural Kashmir. This was followed by Asmita, a powerful platform exclusively dedicated to women poetesses—Dr. Nusrat Iqbal, Nadim Shoqia, Mehbooba Mastoor, Night Nasreen, Sakeena Malik, and Irshada Bano—who brought forth voices of resilience, identity, and inner strength through their evocative poetry.
The Asmita programme was chaired by renowned literary scholar Prof. Shad Ramzan, while Prof. Fouzia Fatima, Principal of GDC Ganderbal, graced the event as the Chief Guest. The day’s proceedings were seamlessly anchored by Majeed Majazi, who wove together threads of tradition and modernity with elegance and depth.
Both sessions beautifully highlighted the Valley’s syncretic ethos—featuring devotional Naat recitations, soul-stirring Sufi poetry, and reflections on pressing contemporary themes like urbanization, social discord, and cultural erosion. A recurring concern was the alarming decline of the Kashmiri language—described poignantly as the “endangered cultural DNA” of the region.
In his keynote address, Prof. Shad Ramzan emphasized the timeless wisdom of 14th-century mystic poetess Lal Ded, urging a renewed engagement with her Vaakhs as guiding lights for both personal and collective healing in times of turmoil.
In a stirring conclusion, Prof. Fouzia Fatima declared, “This college is not just an institution—it is a sanctuary where our language fights for its survival. When rivers fall silent and chinars wither, poetry becomes our unbreakable root system.”
Dr. Nusrat Jan, Head of the Department of Kashmiri, delivered the formal vote of thanks, expressing deep gratitude to Sahitya Akademi and all contributors. She affirmed that the event marked not just a cultural celebration but a solemn collective vow to safeguard and promote the Kashmiri language and its literary traditions.
The twin programmes, Gramalok and Asmita, stood as beacons of cultural resilience—reaffirming the power of literature to preserve identity, inspire unity, and resist erasure.