Srinagar, November 14: The first-ever AAWAAZ – The Collective Voice of Artists, brought together prominent artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers, actors, theatre personalities and cultural practitioners from Jammu & Kashmir and other parts of the country to deliberate on issues confronting the artistic fraternity and explore ways to strengthen the region’s creative sector.
The landmark convention, held in Srinagar, witnessed participation from delegates representing different parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Jammu, reflecting the growing need for a united platform to address the concerns of artists and cultural practitioners.
The convention opened with the release of a special tribute song titled AAWAAZ, dedicated to eminent departed artists, writers and musicians of Jammu & Kashmir. The emotional presentation paid homage to the region’s cultural icons and moved several participants.
Renowned artist and Chairman of The Kashmir Music Club Srinagar, Waheed Jeelani, delivered the inaugural address, emphasising unity, dignity and collective action for the artistic community. Veteran cultural personality, writer and theatre practitioner Mohammad Amin Bhat subsequently presented the vision and objectives of the initiative.
The first technical session, titled “Artists in Crisis: Who Will Take the Responsibility?”, was moderated by television anchor Qazi Mohammad Ammar. The panel featured Mehmeet Syed, Mushtaq Ali Ahmad Khan, Zameer Ashai, Shahid Lateef and Gulzar Ahmad Ganai. The session was chaired by Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, who described artists as the real custodians of language, art and culture and assured the fraternity of all possible support.
The second session, “From Kashmir to the World: Building Our Own Creative Industry”, moderated by actor, director and producer Umar Imtiyaz, featured Kapil Mattoo, Mir Sarwar, Ayash Arif and Shafqat Habib. Chaired by MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, the discussion stressed the need to accord industrial status to the creative sector to unlock its economic potential, generate employment and create wider opportunities for local artists and creative professionals. Rouf Tramboo, Shahzadi Simon, Mushtaq Bala and Hussain Khan also shared their observations.
The third session, “Our Language, Our Identity, Our Culture”, moderated by Mohammad Amin Bhat, featured noted personalities Naseem Shifai, Rukhsana Jabeen, Bashir Aarif and Dr Shaista Ahmad. Chaired by MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah, the session deliberated on safeguarding regional languages, preserving cultural identity and promoting traditional art forms. The chair appreciated the initiative and extended his support for similar endeavours. Ashiq Peerzada, Naseer Ganai and Bhawani Bashir also contributed to the discussion.
The concluding session witnessed the presentation and unanimous adoption of a comprehensive Collective Resolution-cum-Declaration, incorporating recommendations concerning artists’ welfare, institutional accountability, development of the creative industry, cultural preservation and equitable opportunities for local talent.
Prominent personalities, including Shehzad Rasool, Showkat Shafi and Talha Jahangir, also shared their views on the deliberations and the future course of action.
One of the significant outcomes of the convention was the unanimous proposal to constitute a representative Core Group of the artistic fraternity. The proposed group will pursue the issues raised during the convention and engage with the Government and concerned institutions to seek meaningful policy interventions and ensure their implementation.
In his concluding remarks, Waheed Jeelani presented the vote of thanks, acknowledging the participation and contributions of delegates, chairpersons, moderators, panellists, observers and guests.
The organisers maintained that AAWAAZ would not remain confined to a one-day event but would evolve into a sustained collective platform advocating the dignity, welfare, rights and future of artists. The convention reiterated that preserving art, language and culture is a shared responsibility of the Government, institutions and society.
The convention was organised by The Kashmir Music Club Srinagar in collaboration with Good Morning Kashmir, the daily newspaper. The artistic fraternity expressed gratitude to Javaid Ahmad Shah, Editor-in-Chief of Good Morning Kashmir, for his unconditional support, encouragement and valuable contribution towards making the initiative possible.
AAWAAZ 2026 concluded with a collective resolve to carry forward the demands and recommendations emerging from the convention and work towards securing a more dignified, sustainable and promising future for the artistic community of Jammu & Kashmir.
