Srinagar, Feb 21: Marking the observance of International Mother Language Day, the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) on Saturday organised a dignified literary function at the conference hall of Tagore Hall here.
The day is observed to promote awareness about the preservation, promotion and significance of mother tongues, as a mother language represents the cultural identity, intellectual foundation and civilisational continuity of the people.
The Cultural Academy organised the event in this spirit of responsibility to highlight the importance of the Kashmiri language and to encourage the younger generation to remain connected with their linguistic and cultural roots.
The function was presided over by noted educationist, writer and poet Prof Shad Ramzan.
In his presidential address, he described the mother tongue as the cornerstone of a nation’s cultural identity and intellectual heritage. He emphasised that languages are the custodians of a society’s history, traditions and collective consciousness, and therefore their preservation and promotion are the need of the hour.
On this occasion, eminent scholars presented detailed papers on the importance of mother languages. Dr Ghulam Nabi Haleem delivered the keynote address, highlighting the vital role of the mother tongue in shaping cultural identity and stressing the need to promote Kashmiri both at home and in educational institutions.
Renowned fiction writer Mushtaq Ahmad Mushtaq spoke about the contemporary challenges faced by the Kashmiri language and reflected on its future, observing that digital platforms and literary initiatives offer new opportunities for the growth and wider reach of the language.
A Mushaira (Poetry Session) was also organised during the function, in which poets from different parts of the valley presented their verses. Themes of love for the mother tongue, cultural identity and social consciousness prominently featured in the recitations.
Among the poets who participated were Touseef Raza, Dr Mohammad Idrees Badrani, Riyaz Rabbani, Sagar Sarfaraz, Azam Farooq, Shahzad Manzoor, Muzaffar Dilbar, Tauheeda Naz, Nighat Nasreen, Mehfoza Nabi, Parvez Mir, Javaid Qalami, Tahir Riyaz Reshi, Muzaffar Ghazaal, Qais Bilal and Ameen Ashraf.
Earlier, Jawaid Iqbal Khan, Editor Kashmiri, welcomed the guests and stated that the mother tongue is the soul of a nation and the foundation of its intellectual and cultural life. He added that the Cultural Academy has been consistently working for the promotion of Kashmiri language and literature through publications, literary programmes, translations and various cultural initiatives.
The proceedings of the function were conducted by Dr Gulzar Ahmad, Assistant Editor Kashmiri. The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Maqbool Sajid, Research Assistant, marking the end of a meaningful and enriching literary gathering dedicated to the celebration and promotion of the mother tongue.
