Literary Conference held in Pulwama; DC announces major initiatives to promote Art, Culture and Literature

• Cultural Centre, Mahjoor House, Literary Publication Support and Three-Day Cultural Festival ‘Waliv Samav' announced

PULWAMA: A vibrant Annual One-Day Literary Conference was organised today at Government Women’s Degree College, Pulwama, by the District Cultural Society Pulwama in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, bringing together eminent poets, writers, academicians, journalists, intellectuals, literary personalities and cultural enthusiasts from across the district.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, attended the conference as the Chief Guest. The event was attended by representatives of the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, members of the District Cultural Society Pulwama, poets, writers, journalists, college faculty and students and other prominent personalities associated with the literary and cultural landscape of the district.

The noted poet Ali Sheida, educationist Ghulam Hassan Talib, Academy representative Dr. Gulzar Ahmad, journalist Miraj-ud-Din Faraz and District Cultural Society President Shams Saleem, besides other distinguished literary and cultural personalities were also present.

Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Krishan Sidha observed that while development brings prosperity and technology takes society to new heights, literature gives society a soul and culture gives it identity. He emphasised that culture is a living experience and cannot be preserved merely by organising occasional programmes; rather, it has to remain embedded in everyday life, language, traditions, behaviour and social practices.

The Deputy Commissioner further emphasised that development has both tangible and intangible dimensions, with culture constituting an important intangible component of society. He stressed the need to preserve the mother tongue, traditional values, etiquette and cultural practices, observing that societies which lose their connection with language and cultural identity risk losing an important part of their character and continuity.

Responding positively to the demands and requests placed before him, the Deputy Commissioner announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the cultural and literary infrastructure of Pulwama. He announced that steps would be taken towards establishing a State-of-the-Art Cultural Centre/Cultural Hall in Pulwama, providing a dedicated platform for literary, artistic and cultural activities.

He also assured the District Cultural Society and literary organisations that suitable government halls and other available facilities would be extended for literary and cultural programmes until dedicated infrastructure is established. He further assured that no advance payment would be charged for the use of government halls for literary programmes, thereby facilitating such activities without financial constraints.

The Deputy Commissioner also announced that work on the historic Mahjoor House in Pulwama would be taken up in recognition of the contribution of legendary Kashmiri poet Ghulam Ahmad Mahjoor, popularly regarded as the “Wordsworth of Kashmir.”   He emphasised that preserving places associated with the region’s literary heritage is important for connecting future generations with its rich cultural and literary legacy.

He further agreed to the request for organising a dedicated literary and cultural festival in Pulwama and announced that the district would host its own three-day literary and cultural festival, providing a dedicated platform for local poets, writers, artists and cultural performers. The proposed festival was suggested to be titled “Waliv Samav”, subject to finalisation.

Highlighting the role of educational institutions in nurturing young literary talent, the Deputy Commissioner also responded positively to the request for strengthening cultural activities in colleges and suggested that cultural clubs and book clubs be established at Government Women’s Degree College, Pulwama, at the earliest. He assured that the District Administration would extend the necessary facilitation and support for such initiatives.

He also announced that exposure tours would be facilitated for students to enable them to participate in literary and cultural events at the national level. He assured that all possible support would be extended to students and cultural groups representing Pulwama at wider platforms.

In another significant initiative to encourage local writers, the Deputy Commissioner announced support towards book publication and assured that genuine literary efforts requiring assistance for publication would be facilitated by the District Administration through appropriate arrangements.

The Deputy Commissioner urged the District Cultural Society and the literary fraternity to use culture as a tool for inclusive growth, peace and development, emphasising that culture provides a strong medium for bringing communities together, strengthening social harmony and promoting a shared sense of identity.

Ghulam Mohammad Dilshad, General Secretary, District Cultural Society Pulwama, in his speech, highlighted the rich literary heritage of Pulwama and its significant contribution to Kashmiri poetry and literature. He recalled the contributions of eminent poets and writers associated with the district and underlined the role of the District Cultural Society in preserving and promoting its literary and cultural legacy. He also expressed gratitude to the District Administration, Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and the college authorities for facilitating the annual conference.

Professor Syed Iqbal Rahmani spoke about the importance of literature, poetry and cultural activities in preserving the intellectual and cultural identity of society.

A special highlight of the conference was the Rasm-e-Ronumai of the novel “Sahib-e-Nigaibaan” authored by Aneesa Anjum, a student of Government Women’s Degree College, Pulwama. The Chief Guest formally unveiled the novel and appreciated the young author for her literary initiative. The achievement of a college student authoring and publishing a novel was particularly appreciated as an encouraging example for other young students to pursue literature, creative writing and intellectual expression. As a gesture of appreciation and encouragement, the Deputy Commissioner announced an electronic tablet for Aneesa Anjum in recognition of her literary accomplishment and to support her continued academic and creative pursuits

The conference also witnessed the Rasm-e-Ronumai of several other literary works, including “Kar Kya Aamwaras” by Ghulam Mohammad Jangul Nari, “Guman Se Aage” by Sheikh Gulzar, “Soz Darbuk Boaz” by Bilal Kashmiri and “Dil Katrayith Goum” by Taj-un-Nisa. These works were highlighted as valuable contributions to Kashmiri literature and important efforts towards preserving and promoting the region’s linguistic, literary and cultural heritage.

The conference also featured academic and critical sessions focusing on the literary contributions and published works of local authors. Abdul Rahman Fida presented a paper on the literary work of Ghulam Mohammad Jangnaidi, Ayaz Haali presented a paper on the work of Hilal Kashmiri, while Sikander Irshad presented a paper on the literary contribution of Sheikh Gulzar. Ghulam Mohammad Dilshad also presented a critical paper on the literary contribution of Taj-un-Nisa.

The speakers highlighted the importance of literary criticism, documentation and creative expression in preserving Kashmir’s intellectual and cultural heritage and stressed the need to provide local writers and emerging literary voices with meaningful platforms for recognition and expression.

Members, including Ali Sheida, Ghulam Hassan Talib, Dr. Gulzar Ahmad, Shams Saleem and Miraj-ud-Din Faraz, appreciated the initiative and described the annual conference as a meaningful effort towards promoting literary and cultural activities in the district. They emphasised the importance of organising such programmes regularly and providing local writers, poets and emerging literary talent with greater opportunities to showcase their creative abilities.

During the conference, several prominent poets and literary personalities were felicitated for their contribution to literature and culture, including Taj-un-Nisa, Ghulam Mohammad Jungal Naari, Ghulam Mohammad Dilshad, Abdul Rahman Fida, Shams Saleem and Fatima, among other contributors to the literary and cultural field.

A dignified literary Mushaira (poetry symposium) was organised at the conclusion of the programme, presided over by noted poet Abdul Rehman Fida. 

The poets who participated in the Mushaira included Shams Saleem, Mohammad Yousuf Dildar, Taj Nisa, Fatima Ji, Aakash Bashir, Zargar Aziz, Sheikh Bashir, Bilal Kashmir, Mohammad Akbar Dard Baaz, Nisar Manzoor, Shakir Farooq, Mohammad Ashraf Bugami, Tanha Kashmiri, Rauf Jan, Ahmad Wajoodi, Farooq Pardesi, Sheikh Gulzar and Abdul Ahad Gulzar. The participating poets enriched the gathering with their literary compositions and diverse poetic expressions, adding a vibrant literary dimension to the conclusion of the day-long programme.

The conference provided a meaningful platform for interaction between established and emerging literary voices and served as an important occasion to celebrate Pulwama’s rich contribution to Kashmiri literature, poetry and cultural heritage. It concluded with a renewed commitment by the District Administration, District Cultural Society, Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, literary fraternity and educational institutions to work collectively towards preserving the region’s language, literature, traditions and cultural identity, while creating greater opportunities for young poets, writers, students and cultural practitioners.