Jammu : The Sahitya Akademi, in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), Saturday organized a day-long symposium on the celebrated Punjabi poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi, bringing together scholars, writers and literature enthusiasts to reflect on his life, poetry and enduring literary legacy.
Welcoming the dignitaries and participants, Secretary JKAACL, Harvinder Kour expressed her gratitude to the Sahitya Akademi for organizing such a meaningful literary programme in Jammu & Kashmir. She reaffirmed the Academy’s commitment to promoting literature and languages across the Union Territory and stated that similar programmes would be organized in other regions to further strengthen cultural and literary engagement.
Speaking on the life and works of Shiv Kumar Batalvi, the Secretary highlighted that despite his short lifespan, the poet made an immense contribution to Punjabi literature. She observed that Batalvi’s poetry resonates deeply with the emotions of the common man, enabling readers to connect with his expressions of love, pain, longing and human experience. She further informed that JKAACL plans to extend such literary activities to colleges and other educational institutions across the UT. Programmes in various languages, she said, would help cultivate interest in languages among the public in general and students in particular, thereby contributing to their promotion and preservation.
Editor (Punjabi), Sahitya Akademi, Sandeep Kour also addressed the gathering and emphasized the need for concerted efforts to promote the Punjabi language on par with other languages in the Union Territory. She called for a structured and sustained plan to organize more literary programmes dedicated to Punjabi literature and its rich heritage.
Eminent scholars Prof. Rawail Singh, Khalid Hussain, and Ashok Angurana presented insightful papers highlighting the life, literary works and lasting contributions of Shiv Kumar Batalvi to Punjabi literature. Their presentations provided critical perspectives on Batalvi’s poetic themes, stylistic innovations and cultural significance.
In the second session, Harvinder Bhandal presided over the proceedings, while Satish Gulati, Makhan Mann, Surjit Judge, Javed Rahi, Swami Antar Neerav, Amanpreet Kaur and Gurdeep Kaur participated as speakers.
Adding further literary significance to the event, a book titled “Dream Land”, authored by Pawan Gulati, was also released on the occasion.
Presenting the vote of thanks, Editor (Punjabi), JKAACL, Popinder Singh Paras, informed that the Punjabi Section of JKAACL has organized as many as 52 programmes at different locations across the Union Territory, reflecting the Academy’s sustained commitment to the promotion of Punjabi language and literature.
The symposium concluded with a renewed resolve to preserve, promote and celebrate the rich literary traditions of Punjabi and other languages in Jammu & Kashmir.
