Srinagar, Aug 08: The Pahari Section of the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) organised a one day literary and cultural meet at Government High School, Meelyal, on Saturday.
The programme brought together writers, poets, academics, officials, artists, teachers and language enthusiasts, with discussions and performances focused on the preservation and promotion of the Pahari language and its cultural traditions.
Senior JKAS officer and Special Secretary, Information Technology Department, J&K, Dr Abdul Hafiz Shah attended the event as the chief guest. Senior lecturer and academician Gulzar Ahmad Sheikh chaired the programme.
The presidium included Sahitya Akademi Awardee Mir Dardpori, retired ZEO Mumtaz Ahmad Khan, Headmistress of Government High School Meelyal Shafqat Bano and J&K Bank Branch Manager Mansoor Ahmad Masoodi.
Research Assistant, Pahari Section, JKAACL, Abdul Wahid Manhas delivered the welcome address and also conducted the proceedings. He briefed the gathering about the activities undertaken by the Pahari Section for strengthening literary work and encouraging wider use of the language across J&K.
The cultural segment featured performances by Pahari singers Younis Lolabi, Ubaid Younis, Yousuf Shaheen, Javaid Warsani and Khurshid Hajjam. Their performances included traditional and contemporary Pahari compositions and drew an enthusiastic response from the audience.
A poetry session was also organised, bringing several established Pahari poets onto one platform. Akele Abbasi, Rafiq Khan Rafiq, Talib Hussain Talib, Khawaja Parvez Dilber, Raja Zakir Khan, Mumtaz Ahmad Khan, Irshad Ahmad, Mohd Shafi Khan, Abdul Hadi Qureshi, Abdul Hameed Kataria and Liyaqat Abass presented their poetry.
Writer Raja Aflak Khan added a literary dimension to the programme with the presentation of a Pahari short story.
Speakers at the event stressed the importance of creating more platforms for Pahari writers, poets and performers, particularly at the grassroots level. They also underlined the role of educational and cultural institutions in preserving regional languages and passing their literary traditions to younger generations.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Abdul Wahid Manhas. He acknowledged the contribution of the chief guest, members of the presidium, literary personalities, artists, school staff and local residents who participated in the event.
