Shopian :: A one-day Literary Conference was on Saturday organized at the GDC, Shopian, jointly by the Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) Shopian and the J&K Maraaz Kamraaz Academy.
The event aimed to honor and celebrate Kashmir’s literary vibrancy and to inspire the younger generations toward storytelling, poetry and writing.
The conference was graced by the presence of MLA Shopian, Shabir Ahmad Kullay; MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami; DC Shopian, Mohammad Shahid Saleem Dar; ADC Shopian, Dr. Zakir Hussain Faaz; ACR, CEO, Dy DEO, DIO and other officials of the Information department and Academy.
Poets, journalists, artists, and students from within and outside the district also attended, making it a diverse and engaging literary gathering.
During the inaugural session, a series of thought-provoking paper reading sessions were conducted, highlighting the depth and diversity of Kashmiri literature.
Following this, a Mushaira session saw the participation of over 20 renowned poets from the district and outside who enthralled the audience with their enriching poetic verses.
In his address, MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami emphasized Kashmir’s rich cultural and literary history, tracing it from its ancient Sanskrit roots through the Persian era up till now. He noted that Kashmir’s heritage, spanning over 5,000 years, continues to inspire contemporary literary expressions. He urged the gathering to channel this heritage to encourage younger generations towards literature and called for unity in diversity within Kashmiri society.
MLA Shopian Shabir Ahmad Kullay highlighted the role of literature as a mirror of society, underscoring the importance of the poetic tradition in reflecting and shaping the community’s ethos.
The science of poetry has transcended all barriers and played a pivotal role in changing the course of societies, DC Shopian stated, reflecting on poetry’s social impact.
Addressing the attendees, he praised poets as ‘scientists of society’ who give voice to the public’s inner feelings. He encouraged students to pursue wordcraft, whether through poetry or prose, and acknowledged the significant contributions of poets in shaping societal values and culture.
The conference was a resounding success, celebrating the timeless legacy of Kashmiri literature and reaffirming its role in nurturing the intellectual and cultural fabric of the region.
The felicitation ceremony was also held in which local poets were rewarded with a token of love for their services.
