Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 25: Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Prof Talat Ahmad today inaugurated a two-day seminar on ‘European Literary Genres and Kashmiri Language’, organised by the Department of Kashmiri.
In his presidential address, Prof Talat reiterated the importance of language learning in higher education institutions in the backdrop of its emphasis outlined in the National Education Policy-2020. He said that establishment of a Translation Centre at the department is under university’s consideration, even as he urged young students and scholars to read Kashmiri literature and also write in Kashmiri language for its greater promotion.
KU Registrar Dr Nisar A Mir, assured the university administration’s full support to all endeavours aimed at promotion of Kashmiri language and literature.
Former Head Department of Kashmiri, Prof Shafi Shauq delivered the keynote address, discussing in detail the categories and conventions of the European literary genres and their application in Kashmiri literature. “These genres transmitted to the literatures of the world, including Kashmiri, and their influence is so deep here that they have become now the actuality of modern Kashmiri literature,” he said.
In his special address, Prof Majrooh Rashid, Chairman, Habba Khatoon Centre for Kashmiri Language and Literature IUST Awantipora, highlighted the role that the Department of Kashmiri has played for the upliftment of the Kashmiri language and literature and for the promotion of quality research.
Head Department of Kashmiri Prof Mafooza Jan highlighted the aims and objectives of the two-day seminar as well as remarkable achievements of the department in areas of academics and research.
Dr Shafqat Altaf conducted proceedings of the inaugural session during which a two-minute silence was observed in memory of noted Kashmiri writer, critic and folklorist Naji Munawar who passed away recently.
The Vice-Chancellor also released the 42nd edition of ‘Anhaar’, a peer-reviewed journal of the department.
Eminent scholars who attended the inaugural session, included, Prof Mohi-ud-Din Sangmi, Prof Gulshan Majeed, Prof G N Khaki, Prof Irshad Zia, Zareef Ahmad Zareef, Mushtaq Mehdi, Shamshad Kralwari, M Y Mushoor, Mohammad Maroof Shah and Abid Ahmad.
The first technical session was chaired by Prof Gulshan Majeed while Mushtaq Mehdi and Zareef Ahmad Zareef participated as observers. Prof Farooq Fayaz, Ranjoor Tilgami, Maroof Shah and Shamshad Kralwari presented their papers.
Follow our WhatsApp channel