Rich tributes paid to Shair-e-Kashmir Mehjoor

            SRINAGAR, AUGUST 11:-     Srinagar, August 11 (Scoop News) – To commemorate the 125th birthday of the celebrated Kashmiri poet, Ghulam Ahmad Mehjoor, the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (JKAACL) today organized a day-long Mehjoor Seminar highlighting his life and work.

            Mehjoor, popularly known as Shair-e-Kashmir or the Poet of Kashmir, was born on August 11, 1887 at Mitrigam, a south Kashmir village in Pulwama district. Through his verses, he rose to become the most popular poet of Kashmir attaining an iconic status.

            Prominent writers of Kashmiri language including Prof. Shafi Shoque, Prof. Shad Ramzan, Prof. Bashar Basheer, Dr. Ayaz Rasool Nazki and Ghulam Nabi Aatish read out well researched papers on the poetry of Mehjoor.

            Eminent Kashmiri poet and Jnanpith awardee, Prof Rehman Rahi presided over the literary function while noted writer and critic, Mohammad Yusuf Taing was the chief guest. A large number of writers and lovers of Kashmiri language and literature including  Farooq Nazki, Mrs.Nusrat Andrabi and  M. H. Zafar were present.

            Describing Mehjoor as a poet with deep sense of Kashmir history, Muhammad Yusuf Taing said that he was asked by late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to chronicle the history of Kashmir and took him to Delhi with him for consulting sources. However, Mehjoor did not live long to do the assignment. He spelt out Mehjoor’s contribution through his verses in creating political awareness among the masses against autocratic rule. He called upon the Academy to reprint Mehjoor’s poetic collection for the benefit of scholars and students of Kashmiri literature.

            In his presidential address, Prof. Rehman Rahi said that through his poetry that struck an instant chord with the masses Mehjoor earned the befitting title of Shair-e-Kashmir. He read out a wonderful poem titled Bayad-e- Mehjoor (In Mehjoor’s memory) which was highly appreciated by the audience. Rahi complimented the Academy for holding the Mehjoor Seminar in commemoration of the 125th birth day of the famous poet.

            In his inaugural remarks, Secretary JKAACL, Khalid Bashir Ahmad said that very few poets across the global literary sphere have attained legendary eminence among their own people while still alive, adding that Mehjoor was one such versifier who achieved this distinction. His verses were greeted with instant fame the moment these were penned by him, he said. The diction and content of Mehjoor’s verses made him the people’s poet.

            Khalid said that in recognition of Mehjoor’s contribution, the Department of Posts, Government of India, has decided to issue a commemorative postal stamp on the poet. He said the stamp would be released sometime later this year at a specially held function. The Academy, he said, is in close touch with the Department of Posts and has provided the relevant material on the life and poetry of Mehjoor to Director Philately. “It would be a great honour to Kashmiri language and literature”, Khalid said. Mehjoor would be the second Kashmiri, after Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, to earn a commemorative postal stamp.

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