Srinagar , July 19: A delegation of the Jammu & Kashmir Fiction Writers’ Guild Friday visited the residence of late Shahid Budgami at Budgam to express deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The delegation comprised Guild President Engineer Shafi, Vice President Showkat Shafi, and Treasurer Ghulam Nabi Shahid.
Shahid Budgami, born Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, passed away earlier this week at the age of 90 after a prolonged illness. He was a towering figure in contemporary Kashmiri literature, known for his romantic poetry and significant contributions to the literary and cultural heritage of the region. His death marks the end of an era in Kashmiri letters.
Speaking on the occasion, Engineer Shafi President Guild called Budgami’s passing a monumental loss to Kashmir’s literary community. “He was among the most outstanding voices in Kashmiri poetry, a rare blend of lyrical elegance and cultural commitment,” Shafi said, extending heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the Guild.
Vice President Showkat Shafi, recalling his long association with the deceased poet, urged the family to preserve and continue the important literary legacies Shahid Budgami nurtured over decades. “Harmuk magazine, Budshah journal, the Harmuk Award, and the annual Husaini Mushaira are living extensions of Shahid sahib’s vision. These should not fade away with his demise,” he said.
Treasurer Ghulam Nabi Shahid added that the Kashmiri literary landscape owes much to Shahid Budgami’s decades of devotion. “His contributions in poetry, publishing, and cultural events will remain timeless,” he noted.
The Guild delegation also conveyed condolences from its Patron, Wehshi Sayeed, General Secretary Nasir Zameer to the family who expressed grief over the loss and remembered Budgami as a passionate lover of Kashmiri language and literature.
The Guild joins the family, friends, and the literary fraternity in mourning this profound loss. May Allah forgive his shortcomings, reward his contributions, and grant him the highest place in Jannah, said Zubair Qureshi in a statement
