Rayees Kumar
Bandipora, a district in North Kashmir renowned for its trifecta of Ilm (knowledge), Adab (literature), and Aab (water), has long been a cradle for intellectuals, poets, authors, and social reformers. Adding to this rich legacy, Tariq Shabnam, a rising literary talent and acclaimed Urdu fiction writer from Ajas village, has unveiled his latest work, *Bandipora Ki Aham Shakhsiyaat*. Published by GNK Publications, this 91-page compilation, curated by Haji Ghulam Rasool Rather Kohi, chronicles the lives and contributions of 13 literary giants from Bandipora. With an eye-catching cover featuring photographs of these icons, the book is a heartfelt tribute to the district’s cultural heritage, dedicated by Shabnam to his parents.
The book has garnered widespread praise within literary circles. Dr. Riyaz Tawhidi, an internationally acclaimed critic and short story writer, lauded Shabnam and Rather Kohi for creating a “treasure trove” of information about Bandipora’s literary figures. In his summary, Tawhidi emphasized that the book preserves the legacy of writers whose contributions to language and literature might otherwise fade from public memory, particularly among younger generations. Noted fiction writer Raja Yousuf echoed this sentiment, commending the duo for their meticulous effort in spotlighting the district’s literary stalwarts.
In the book’s preface, Rather Kohi, a retired Block Development Officer and patron of the Wullar Urdu Adbi Forum, details his painstaking efforts to gather articles on Bandipora’s literary and societal contributors. Expressing gratitude to his collaborators, Rather Kohi underscores the book’s mission to honor those who shaped the region’s cultural and intellectual landscape.
Among the luminaries featured is Pir Ghulam Hassan Shah Khoihami, born in Gamro village, whose seminal work Tawarikh-i-Hassan, a Persian history of Kashmir, remains a cornerstone of regional historiography. Translated into Urdu by Dr. Sharif Hussain, the text is celebrated for its authenticity. Shabnam notes that Khoihami’s grandfather was a Persian poet, and his family was devoted to Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom. Khoihami also assisted Sir Walter Lawrence, the land settlement commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir, in writing The Valley of Kashmir, later translated into Urdu by Ghulam Nabi Khayal. Shabnam’s eloquent portrayal brings Khoihami’s scholarly contributions to life.
Another towering figure is Professor Mohiuddin Hajini, a multifaceted poet, educationist, and social reformer from Hajin. Shabnam highlights Hajini’s literary prowess, evident in works like his Kashmiri drama *Greas Sund Ghara* (*Peasant’s Home*), which gained widespread acclaim. Proficient in Urdu, English, Persian, and Kashmiri, Hajini founded Adbi Markaz Kamraz, Jammu and Kashmir’s oldest literary forum. Despite enduring imprisonment, his legacy endures through awards like the Khilati Mohiuddin Hajini and the Mohiuddin Hajini Gold Medal, which honor literary excellence.
The Nazki dynasty, another pillar of Bandipora’s literary tradition, is represented by Professor Rashid Nazki, alongside Mir Ghulam Rasool Nazki, Farooq Nazki, and Ayaz Rasool Nazki. A founding member of Adbi Markaz Kamraz, Rashid Nazki was an accomplished Kashmiri and Persian poet and translator, best known for his Kashmiri rendition of *Qasida Burda Sharif* by Hazrat Sharfuddin Bosri. Professor Bashir Ahmad Nehvi, former director of the Iqbal Institute of Culture and Philosophy, has praised Nazki’s enduring influence.
Dr. Aziz Hajini, another luminary, is celebrated in an extensive article by Shabnam. As secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (JKAACL), Hajini facilitated the publication of numerous books across languages. His roles as editor, president of Adbi Markaz Kamraz, and convenor of Sahitya Akademi underscore his commitment to preserving Kashmiri literature. A recipient of Kashmir University’s first gold medal, Hajini’s poetry, known for its modern and revolutionary style, continues to inspire.
Other figures include Mohammad Ahsan Ahsan, a multidimensional Kashmiri writer; Ghulam Nabi Jan, a socio-political leader and freedom fighter; and Er. Mohammad Yousuf Rather, an engineering pioneer whose contributions earned him the title “Hero of R&B.” Lesser-known yet significant contributors like Siyad Kashmiri, Ghulam Ahmad Aka, and Moulana Gulzar Ahmad Lone are also meticulously documented.
*Bandipora Ki Aham Shakhsiyaat* is a testament to Shabnam and Rather Kohi’s dedication to preserving their district’s literary heritage. This compelling compilation not only honors Bandipora’s intellectual giants but also ensures their contributions resonate with future generations, cementing the district’s status as a beacon of knowledge and culture.
(Note:Rayees Ahmad Kumar is a columnist from Qazigund, Kashmir.)
