The Hindu : National : Jnanpith is for the Kashmiri language: Rahi

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Sunday, Mar 11, 2007
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Jnanpith is for the Kashmiri language: Rahi

Special Correspondent

Rahman Rahi

SRINAGAR: The announcement that Kashmiri poet Rehman Rahi has been chosen for the Jnanpith Award for 2004 has sent a wave of jubilation among the people of the State.

Since Friday, the poet himself has been flooded with congratulatory messages, and his home has been witnessing a never-ending queue of visitors. Talking to The Hindu , Prof. Rahi said: "I was happy to hear about the award but actually it is for the Kashmiri language."

In his message, Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz described Prof. Rahi "as the embodiment of all that is best in the multi-hued and composite culture of Kashmir."

Mr. Soz said: "By achieving this distinction, Prof. Rahi has brought dignity and honour not only to himself and his State but also to the lovers of art and literature all over. The fact that Prof. Rahi happens to be the first poet-writer of Kashmir to achieve this distinction is a matter of great honour and pride to the people of the State."

Various organisations are planning to organise receptions for Prof. Rahi. The secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Rafeeq Ahmad Masoodi, said: "It is a dream come true, and I think it is not only an honour for the Kashmiri language but also for the literature of Jammu and Kashmir."

Prof. Rahi, a recipient of the Padma Shree and the Sahitya Akademi fellowship, is considered a living legend in the State. Born in Srinagar in 1925, he was brought up by his uncle after being orphaned at an early age.

He started his career as a clerk in the Public Works Department, and was associated with the Progressive Writer's Association, of which he became the general secretary. He did his M.A. in Persian in 1952 and in English Literature in 1962 from the Jammu and Kashmir University. He was on the Board of Editors of the Urdu daily Aajkal in Delhi from 1953 to 1955.

His collections of poems include Subhuk Soda, Kalami Rahi and Siyah Roode Jaren Manz (In black vernal showers). Prof. Rahi founded the Kashmiri department at Kashmir University, and leads the movement for the preservation and promotion of Kashmiri.

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