Nadim more relevant today: Betab

JAMMU, Mar 17: Rich tributes were paid to Dina Nath Kaul Nadim a legendary Kashmiri poet and scholar during a two day National  seminar held in Srinagar .Organized by Sahitya  Akademy, New Delhi in collaboration with the  Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Academy, the seminar highlighted the trend setting role of Nadim and his contribution to Kashmiri literature, particularly poetry of free verse , the NAZM. In the concluding session, which was presided over by Kashmiri language scholar Mashal Sultanpuri, two papers were read. Dr. Afaq Aziz read a paper on the topic of “Form in Nadim’s poetry”. Brij Nath Betab in his Paper dealt with Nadim’s Nazm and its impact on Kashmiri poetry. Authenticating through references from different sources Betab described Nadim as a trend setter in Kashmiri poetry whose style, subject, form, word stock and poetic expressions deeply impacted Kashmiri poetry.
Nadim , who wrote prose and poetry and became the first editor of the famous Kong Posh Magazine, has put his indelible mark on the entire Kashmiri poetry of fifties and sixties, he added.
Quoting from different poems (Harisaath and Be- Gavene Az etc), Betab said that the poetry of Nadim, particularly his free verse is more relevant today, as it represents not only the modern sensibilities but also reflects the current situation of Kashmir and Kashmiris. It seems as if he is writing today, he added.
Farooq Nazki, Rehman Rahi, Prof Gulshan Majeed,  Rafiq Raaz, Ghulam Nabi  Khayal, Mohmad Amin Bhat, and GR Hasrat Gaddha, participated in the concluding session..  Hasrat  Gaddha  said he has collected some un published poetry of Nadim and plans to come out with a book soon.
Noted writer and poet Shantiveer Kaul, the  son of Dinaa Nath  Nadim was also present.  He clarified many things with regard to Nadim’s poetry. Sahitaya Academy was represented by  Mushtaq Sadaf, in charge Kashmiri language at the Akademy.