Central University of Kashmir and Sahitya Akademi organise seminar on life and works of eminent Kashmiri poet Samad Mir

GANDERBAL: Department of Kashmiri, School of Languages, Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), in association with the Sahitya Akademi, organised a seminar on the life and works of the eminent Kashmiri poet Samad Mir at varsity’s Tulmulla campus here Thursday.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, Dean Academic Affairs (DAA), Prof. Shahid Rasool, Dean School of Languages (SoL), Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, Dean School of Legal Studies, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Mir, Dean School of Education, Prof. Syed Zahoor Ahgmad Geelani, noted poet and broadcaster Mr. Satish Vimal, Head, Department of Kashmiri, Prof. Shad Ramzan, Mr. Anupam Tiwari, Editor (Hindi), Sahitya Akademi, eminent poets from Valley, faculty members, research scholars and students were present.

Some of the noted writers of the valley including Prof. Basher Bashir, Mr. Shamshad Kralwari, Mr. Ranjoor Tilgami, Mr. Shahbaz Haqbari, Mr. Shakeel ul Rehman, Mr. Majeed Majazi and other prominent writers were present during the inaugural session.

In his address, Mr. Anupam Tiwari, said that poet Samad Mir’s poetic idiom was a rich confluence of spirituality and social reflection. “The Sahitya Akademi believes that the essence of India resides in its linguistic plurality,” he said. “Samad Mir’s poetry is a testimony to how regional voices nurture the national soul,” Mr. Anupam Tiwari who conducted the programme said.

Speaking on the occasion, Dean SoL, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari reflected on Samad Mir’s poetic use of metaphor and symbolism, describing his verse as “a rare blend of aesthetic grace and emotional depth.” She compared Mir’s poetry to “a heart that blooms like a garden, where emotions flow like the springs of Kashmir.” She further announced that the university would soon propose the establishment of a Centre for Translation Studies to promote the translation of Kashmiri literary works into Hindi and English, thus opening new pathways for cross-cultural literary appreciation. Prof. Tiwari further underscored the significance of fostering inter-linguistic dialogue and cultural understanding through such platforms

Addressing the participants, DAA, Prof. Shahid Rasool, remarked, “It is unfortunate that except for a few lines on the internet, the literary treasure of Samad Mir remains hidden. We, as custodians of knowledge, must reclaim and digitize our heritage so that our younger generation can know their poets, philosophers, and thinkers.” He urged that every academic event must yield a “tangible outcome,” proposing the publication of a monograph on the poet Samad Mir, alongside digital archives of other Kashmiri poets. He also called for the establishment of translation cells in collaboration with the Sahitya Akademi to make Kashmiri literature accessible in multiple Indian languages.

In his keynote address, Mr. Satish Vimal—a celebrated Kashmiri poet—offered profound insights into the philosophical dimensions of poet Samad Mir’s writing. “Samad Mir’s poetry,” he said, “is not merely a collection of verses—it is an ocean of human experience where mysticism and modern consciousness converge.” He described Mir as “a poet of transcendence who found divinity in nature and humanity in spirituality.” Drawing a poetic parallel, Mr. Vimal added, “His words are not read—they are felt; they glow like Noor—indescribable, luminous, eternal.”

In his presidential address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, said the seminar brought together eminent poets, scholars, linguists, and academicians to revisit, rediscover, and humanistic and mystical essence in the poet Samad Mir’s poetry. “Language and culture are two inseparable wings of a civilization,” he said. “Kashmir, with its poetic temperament and aesthetic sensitivity, has produced legends like Samad Mir whose works echo universal values of peace, love, and humanism.” He traced the intellectual legacy of the region to the ancient Sharda Peeth, calling it “a seat of wisdom, knowledge, and empowerment.” Prof. Nath elaborated on the initiatives taken by the university to strengthen the Department of Kashmiri, including the introduction of certificate and diploma programmes for those wishing to learn the language before pursuing higher studies. The Vice-Chancellor observed that “his (Samad Mir’s) poetry emerged from struggle and humility yet resonated with divinity and truth. It is the language of the heart—sincere, simple, and soulful.”

Head Deptt of Kashmiri, Prof. Shad Ramzan, in his remarks, portrayed Samad Mir as “a bridge between the oral and written traditions of Kashmiri literature—a poet whose voice carried the Sufi ethos of tolerance, compassion, and self-realization.” “He was not a poet of privilege, but of people,” he said. “His words emanate from the soil and return to it, carrying the fragrance of humility and wisdom.”

Mr. Basher Bashir, Mr. Ranjoor Tilgami, Mr. Shamshad Kralawari, Mr. Shabnam Tilgami, among others will be presenting papers during the two days of the seminar. Mr. Rouf Adil, member, Kashmiri advisory board, Sahatiya Akademi, proposed the vote of thanks.