Kashmiri writer passes away

Srinagar, Oct 14: Ghulam Hassan Taskeen, a renowned Kashmiri writer and literary figure from Hajin, passed away after a prolonged illness on Sunday.

Born in 1943, Taskeen was not only a prolific fiction writer but also a dedicated translator and educator, leaving an indelible mark on Kashmiri literature. His notable works include anthologies of short stories, poems, and essays.

A highlight of his career was the translation of the famed Persian poet Sheikh Saadi Shirazi's "Gulistan" into Kashmiri, published by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Language in 1988. This work received acclaim from scholars and readers alike.

Despite facing the challenge of being born without a right arm, Taskeen's passion for reading, writing, and teaching never wavered. He earned an MA in Kashmiri and Persian from Kashmir University and was honoured with the Best Teacher award in 1988 for his commitment to education. In addition to his writing, Taskeen produced a monograph on the Kashmiri Sufi poet Lal Aragami and translated from English the monograph of celebrated Urdu poet Akhtar ul Iman, both published by the Sahitya Akademi. He co-edited and compiled, along with Sona Ullah Niyazi and Prof Mohi Ud Din Hajini, the Kashmiri translation of "Shahnama Firdousi" by Wahab Parray, which was released by JKAACL in 2015.

Moreover, one of Taskeen's poignant poems was featured in Prof Suvir Kaul's acclaimed book, "Of Graves and Gardens."