Book 'Rasa Fahmi' released at University of Jammu

JAMMU: Rasa Fahmi, a book compiled by Dr. Shehnawaz Qadri, Assistant Professor of Urdu at GDC Sidhra, was released today by A.R. Rather, Hon’ble Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly. The event was organised by the Department of Urdu, University of Jammu, in collaboration with the Rasa Javedani Memorial Literary Society.

The function was presided over by Prof. Mohd Zaman Azurdha, while renowned Canadian scholar Dr. Taqi Abedi graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik, Head of the Department of Urdu and President of the Rasa Javedani Memorial Literary Society, and Aseer Kishtwari, General Secretary of the Society, also shared the dais.

Speaking at the ceremony, A.R. Rather congratulated Dr. Qadri for compiling the volume on the life and work of the celebrated poet Rasa Javedani. He described Javedani as not only a distinguished Urdu poet but also one of the foremost Kashmiri poets of the 20th century, whose writings reflected the realities of everyday life. He remembered him as a gentle, secular-minded individual whose Urdu and Kashmiri ghazals resonated widely, both within Kashmir and across the Urdu literary world.

He noted that Javedani followed the romantic tradition of Kashmiri poetry after Rasool Meer and highlighted that his verses were sung by some of the most iconic voices of the region, including Ghulam Mohammad Sufi, Raj Begum, Kailash Mehra, Shamim Dev, Ghulam Nabi Doolwal, Deepali Wattal, Ravi Thakur and others. He also spoke about the poet’s profound religious devotion.

In his remarks, Dr. Taqi Abedi described Rasa Javedani as a symbol of national integration and communal harmony. Quoting several of Javedani’s verses, he underlined the poet’s consistent call for mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. He emphasised that Javedani’s mastery over both Urdu and Kashmiri poetic forms gave his work its distinct strength.

Prof. Zaman Azurdha reflected on his long association with the poet, sharing that he had admired Javedani’s poetry from an early age and later met him at several mushairas held in Kashmir. He described him as a simple, high-minded personality whose work also portrayed the natural beauty of Jammu and Kashmir. He especially praised Javedani’s Qasida on Bhaderwah, calling it a remarkable composition, and noted Mohd Yousuf Taing’s opinion that the piece follows the classical Urdu form of the Qasida.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik highlighted significant themes reflected in Javedani’s poetry. He also spoke about the poet’s educational background and family history, mentioning that Javedani’s father, Khawaja Monveer-ju-Dev, was a lover of Urdu poetry and was associated with the darbar of Maharaja Pratap Singh.

During the programme, the Rasa Javedani Memorial Literary Award 2025 was conferred upon A.R. Rather. Speakers praised his contribution to the promotion of Urdu and Kashmiri languages and described him as a public figure who holds deep respect for poetry. General Secretary Aseer Kishtwari read the award citation, detailing the life and work of A.R. Rather.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. Mohd Reyaz Ahmad of the Department of Urdu, while the proceedings were conducted by Dr. Abdul Rashid Manhas, Associate Professor, Department of Urdu. The event drew a large gathering of faculty members, scholars, students, and civil society participants.