Srinagar, Aug 12: The University of Kashmir (KU) and Sahitya Akademi, Ministry of Culture, jointly organised a two-day national seminar to commemorate celebrated Kashmiri poet, translator and critic Rehman Rahi (1925–2023), the only Kashmiri recipient of the Jnanpith Award. The event marked his birth centenary and brought together eminent scholars to reflect on his contributions to Kashmiri verse, Urdu criticism and comparative literature.
KU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan, chief guest at the inaugural session, announced a dedicated hall in Rahi’s name and urged more cultural and scholarly events to preserve literary traditions. “Honouring Rehman Rahi is our duty as an academic community; his work teaches us how literature can bridge languages and shape identity,” she said.
Sahitya Akademi President Dr. Madhav Kaushik highlighted Rahi’s stature in Indian literature and the significance of celebrating him in his homeland.
The seminar featured technical sessions, paper presentations and panel discussions on Rahi’s role in linking diverse cultural traditions. Speakers included Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, Prof. Shad Ramzan and Prof. Aejaz Muhammed Sheikh.
The inaugural session was attended by noted literary figures B. N. Betab, Manshoor Banihali, Ayaz Rasool Nazki, Majrooh Rashid, R. L. Talashi, Mohammad Amin Bhat and Shafi Simbli, alongside KU faculty, scholars and students.
