Veteran poet Ali Mohammad Shahbaaz remembered on his 28th death anniversary

Srinagar, July 4: Kashmir Market Adab-w-Saqafat, (KMAWS) on Thursday organised an impressive seminar to commemorate 28th martyrdom (death anniversary ) of legendary Kashmiri poet , teacher, writer and popular social reformer of Jammu and Kashmir late Ali Mohammed Shahbaaz , at Govt Boys Hr Secondary school Chrar-i-Sharief.

Former Secretary Cultural Academy and Adl Director General Doordarshan ,Rafiq Masoodi was the Chief guest. Chairman Islamic Relief & Research Trust , Adv Ab Rasheed Hanjura, Principal BHSS Chrar-i-sharief Manzoor Ahmad, noted social reformer and reputed teacher Mohd Ayub Kaw, former DSP Gh Qadir Shaheen and Dr Gazanfar Ali Gazal shared the presidium.

On this occasion, prestigious Khilat-e-Noor award was accorded to veteran sufi poet G R Sadoori. The award comprises a citation and a Kashmiri shawl.

Media Secretary KMAWS Mushtaq Muhharam presented a comprehensive paper on the life and literary pursuits of late Ali Mohd Shahbaaz .

President of the Kashmir Markaz Adab-w-Saqafat, Dr Gazanfar Ali presented a welcome address and Inayat Gul, Secretary, Markaz Adab-w-Saqafat conducted proceedings of the seminar in a befitting manner. Inayat Gul also presented a vote of thanks.

A galaxy of about fifty prominent literary personalities,writers and poets participated in the seminar and paid their rich tribute to Ali Mohd Shahbaaz.

Rafiq Masoodi in his remarks said that late Shabaz was an extraordinarily bold writer and social reformer who never compromised on the sacred values of morality, truthfulness and ground reality adding that he penning down "untold miseries confronting the society in his poetic expressions with precision and grit."

Ab Rashid Hanjura termed late shahbaaz a fierce Kashmiri revolutionary poet, satirist, humanist, philanthropist, and teacher and reiterated that the mission of late Shahbaaz with regard to promotion and development of Kashmiri language and literature needs to be pursued with passion and commitment to preserve cultural identity and Kashmiri traditions .

Nazim Nazir also spoke on the occasion and urged the need to carry forward the legacy of late Shabaz.

Speakers also lauded the passion of the KMAWS for remembering late Ali Mohd Shahbaaz every year consistently to acknowledge his socio-literary contribution to the cultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.

Other distinguished personalities who paid homage to late Shahbaaz and eulogised his socio-literary contribution included , Master Mohd Ayoob , Nazim Nazir, of Editor Tameel-e- Irshaad , journalist Bedar Gh Qadir , Bashir Ahmad Baba , President Fruit Growers Association ,Chrar-i-Sharief , senior citizens Mir Niyaaz Ahmad and Mir Ab Majid .

A colourful Mehfil-e-Mushaira was also conducted wherein about 15 poets recited their latest poems. They included Ali Ahsan , Younis Waheed , Dr Gazanfar Ali Ghazal ,Showkat Firar , Nazir Salik Gh Nabi Adfar , Peer Gh Mohidin Borwa ,Ab Rehman Lateef, Gh Qadi shaheen ,Nazir Salik , Salam Chrawni ,Gh Rasool Ayaaz and Nazir Majrooh.