| Academy hosts Kashmiri Lal Zakir, author of 132 books | | Eminent writer turns nostalgic, speaks out his heart | |
JAMMU: K.L. Sehgal Hall Tuesday witnessed a rare gathering of writers, intellectuals, and poets who came in good numbers for an interaction with noted Urdu writer and author of 132 books, Kashmiri Lal Zakir. Born on April 7, 1919, Zakir is widely known in the literary circles of the Indian sub-continent and recognized for his scholarly contribution to Urdu language and literature.
The programme, titled Áik Mulaqaat Kashmiri Lal Zakir Ke Saath’, hosted by J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, was first of its kind in recent years, where several noted writers and lovers of literature cutting across languages were afforded an opportunity to hear from and about an eminent litterateur.
The meet was presided over by noted writer and critic, Mohammed Yusuf Taing while noted journalist, Ved Bhasin, and former Vice Chancellor, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, Dr. Masoud Choudhary were in the presidium.
Those who participated in the hour long interaction included, among others, Arsh Sehbai, Aseer Kishtwari, Pritpal Singh Betab, Prof. Rita Jitendra, N.D. Jamwal, Mohan Singh, Khalid Hussain, Dr Liaqat Jafri, Khalid Karar, Aslam Qureshi, Khurshid Kazmi and Hasrat Gadda. Kamlesh Mohan, daughter of Kashmiri Lal Zakir, was also present.
Zakir recalled his association with Jammu & Kashmir and said that his love for the place is amply reflected through his stories and characters.
He said he had been a student of the SP School, Srinagar and Prince of Wales College, Jammu. He recalled several persons of Jammu as his friends including Qudrat Ullah Shahab, Triloki Nath, Ved Bhasin and Arsh Sehbai.
He appreciated the Academy for providing him an occasion to interact with literary biggies of Jammu. He became nostalgic while describing Jammu of the olden times. Earlier, formally inaugurating the session, Secretary Academy, Khalid Bashir Ahmad said that it was an honour for the Academy to host an eminent personality like Kashmiri Lal Zakir.
He briefly dwelt upon the literary contribution of the eminent writer and recalled that as a student he was introduced to Zakir through the then popular magazine, Biswin Sadi.
He said that the Academy would hold more such events in the future. Muhammad Yusuf Taing, Ved Bhasin and Arsh Sehbai, in their brief speeches, highlighted Zakir’s rich contribution to Urdu language and literature. The programme was ably compered by Dr. Qudood Javed. |
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