Jammu, Feb 10 : A Powerful Call to preserve Jammu and Kashmir’s rich multilingual heritage and a resounding demand for granting classical language status to Kashmiri marked the opening day of the 46th three-day Annual Literary Conference of Adbi Markaz Jammu & Kashmir (AMK), which began here on Tuesday under the theme “Mother Tongue Day.”
The conference opened on an inspiring and inclusive note with a multilingual mushaira, presided over by eminent literary figures Manshoor Banihali, Syed Sad-ud-Din Saidi, K. D. Maini and others, setting a vibrant cultural tone for the deliberations. Poets and writers representing Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojri, Pahari, Punjabi and other regional languages showcased the Valley’s linguistic diversity and shared literary legacy.
Inaugurating the conference, Speaker of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, urged poets, writers and intellectuals to take the lead in preserving and promoting the region’s multilingual ethos, describing it as the cornerstone of Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural identity.
“Jammu and Kashmir is a land of many languages, and this diversity is our collective strength. Poets and writers have a historic responsibility to nurture and protect this priceless heritage,” Rather said, lauding Adbi Markaz Kamraz for providing a common platform to different linguistic communities and fostering unity through literature.
He said that honouring genuine and quality writers not only enriches literature but also motivates the younger generation to remain rooted in their cultural traditions, thereby strengthening social harmony.
The proceedings were conducted by Vice-President AMK Shakir Shafi, while General Secretary Shabnum Tilgami presented the annual report of the organisation, outlining its literary and cultural activities.
In his welcome address, President Adbi Markaz Kamraz J&K highlighted the vital role of language and literature in building bridges among diverse identities and guiding society toward a higher sense of unity. Expressing concern over the growing cultural disconnect among youth, he called for collective efforts to revive and strengthen linguistic and civilisational bonds.
A major highlight of the inaugural session was the strong and united demand for granting classical language status to Kashmiri. Most speakers passionately advocated this long-pending recognition, asserting that Kashmiri fully meets the established criteria for classical languages.
Delivering the presidential address, Sahitya Akademi Convener (New Delhi) Professor Shad Ramzan made a compelling case for the classical status of Kashmiri, citing its rich cultural ethos, vast literary treasure and history spanning thousands of years.
“Kashmiri is one of the oldest living languages, with a profound philosophical and literary tradition. Its recognition as a classical language is both justified and overdue,” he said, urging that the demand be vigorously pursued at all government and academic levels.
Participants echoed his views, noting that classical status would significantly enhance research, preservation, and promotion of Kashmiri language and literature.
The day-long proceedings also saw the felicitation of eminent poets and writers representing various regional languages, including Aseer Kashtiwari (Kashmiri), Vijay Verma (Dogri), Javid Rahi (Gojri), K. D. Maini (Pahari), Khalid Hussain (Punjabi) and Prem Nath Shad (Kashmiri), in recognition of their contributions to literature.
Throughout the sessions, speakers and participants underlined the need for sustained and collective efforts to promote mother languages, preserve linguistic diversity and strengthen cultural harmony, setting a positive and purposeful tone for the remaining two days of the conference.
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