JAMMU: The 2nd edition of “Kulyat-e-Rasa Javedanii', a collection of the Urdu and Kashmiri poetry of legendary poet Rasa Javedani, was released here this morning by Jb Abdul Raheem Rather, Hon’ble Speaker, J&K Legislative Assembly. The book release function was jointly organized by the Department of Urdu, University of Jammu, and the Rasa Javedani Memorial Literary Society. The book is edited by Tanveer Ibn-e-Rasa, son of Rasa Javedani and published by Sheikh Mohd Usman and Sons, Srinagar.
Addressing the gathering, Abdul Raheem Rather highlighted Rasa Javedani’s significant contributions to the promotion of Urdu and Kashmiri languages in Jammu and Kashmir. He described Javedani as the foremost romantic poet of Kashmiri literature after Rasool Mir whose Kashmiri ghazals are loved across the region. Rather noted Javedani as the most prominent Kashmiri poet from the Chenab Valley, who mentored many budding Kashmiri poets in the region. As an Urdu poet, Rasa Javedani was the contemporary of renowned Urdu poets like Hafeez Jalandari, Seemab Akbarabadi, Brij Narayan Chakbast, Pandit Data Trya Kafi and others said Abdul Raheem Rather. He also lauded the efforts of the Rasa Javedani Memorial Literary Society in preserving and promoting the poet’s legacy.
Prof. Shad Ramzan, former Head, Department of Kashmiri, University of Kashmir, who presided over the event, described Rasa Javedani as a towering figure of 20th-century poetry. He credited Javedani with introducing new dimensions to Kashmiri literature and being the only poet to master the ghazal form in the language. Prof. Ramzan praised the second edition of “Kulyat-e-Rasa Javedani” for spreading the poet’s message of love, harmony, and brotherhood.
Basheer Bhaderwahi, Sahitya Akademi Awardee and Guest of Honour, shared cherished memories of his association with Javedani and highlighted his secular vision and portrayal of life’s realities in both Urdu and Kashmiri poetry. Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik, Head of the Department of Urdu and President of the Rasa Javedani Memorial Literary Society, elaborated on the thematic richness of Javedani’s works. He noted that Javedani was the only Kashmiri poet to write qasida, earning him recognition from critics like Mohd Yousuf Taing as the preeminent qasida writer in Kashmiri literature.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Meena Sharma, Dean, Planning and Development paid glowing tributes to Rasa Javedani. The event was attended by a large audience, including students, scholars, and dignitaries such as Prof. Mohd Reyaz Ahmad, Dr. Chaman Lal, Dr. Abdul Rashid Manhas, Khursheed Kazmi, Zahid Banhali, and others.
The program featured critical papers on “Kulyat-e-Rasa Javedani” presented by Dr. Shahnawaz Qadri, Assistant Professor of Urdu, and Brij Nath Betab, a renowned writer, in Urdu and Kashmiri, respectively. Dr. Farhat Shamim, Assistant Professor in the Department of Urdu, University of Jammu, moderated the proceedings, while Aseer Kishtwari, General Secretary of the Rasa Javedani Memorial Literary Society, delivered the vote of thanks.
