Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 4: Two new Kashmiri novels by renowned broadcaster, writer, dramatist, novelist, and critic Dr. Sohan Kaul were released today by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages.
The novels, ‘Indrim Zarb’ and ‘Ajab Malik’, were unveiled during a grand event held at Tagore Hall.
With these releases, Dr. Kaul has published a record-breaking 16 novels, making him the only novelist from the region to achieve this milestone.
The event was presided over by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zaman Azurdah, with Dr. Ayash Arif as the guest of honour.
‘Indrim Zarb’ tells the story of a woman facing an existential crisis. On her deathbed, she begins to rediscover herself, using the historical context of the Pandit exodus camps in Jammu as a powerful symbol of exile and displacement.
Many Pandits lost their lives in these camps due to sunstroke, snake bites, and the mental stress that often led to memory loss.
The protagonist clings to the hope that a return to her homeland might bring change, searching for her identity until the very end.
Professor Bashar Bashir presented a detailed paper on ‘Indrim Zarb’, describing it as a poignant novel and a genuine representation of the literature of exile.
He noted that the book offers profound insights into life’s struggles and represents a remarkable contribution to Kashmiri fiction.
The second novel discussed was ‘Ajab Malik’. Prof. Shad Ramzan shared his analysis, describing it as a philosophical novel about a writer whose resilience inspires his characters but ultimately drives him to madness when he realizes he cannot play the role of creator.
Prof. Ramzan praised the book for exploring the philosophical depths of human experience and for its unique style, which blends innovative narratives with elements of magical realism.
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