Kashmir pen News Bureau
Srinagar, November 8, 2025: A one-day symposium on “The Direction and Pace of Contemporary Kashmiri Fiction” was organized in Srinagar jointly by the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, and the Fiction Writers’ Guild. The event brought together prominent scholars, writers, poets, and teachers from across the Valley, who engaged in insightful discussions on the current state and evolving trends of Kashmiri fiction.
The inaugural session was presided over by Professor Shafi Shouq, a distinguished poet, writer, and linguist. Professor Gulshan Majeed, a noted poet, author, and translator, attended as the Chief Guest, while Mr. Wahshi Saeed, Patron of the Fiction Writers’ Guild, was present as the Guest of Honour. The presidium also included Professor Shad Ramzan, Convener of the Kashmiri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, and well-known broadcaster and fiction writer Mushtaq Ahmad Mushtaq.
Welcoming the guests, Professor Shad Ramzan highlighted the role of the Sahitya Akademi in promoting and preserving India’s regional languages. He added that more such literary and academic programmes will be organized in the future for the enrichment of the Kashmiri language.
The keynote address was delivered by Mushtaq Ahmad Mushtaq, who offered valuable insights into the present landscape of contemporary Kashmiri fiction while tracing its evolution through earlier literary traditions.
Wahshi Saeed, in his address, praised the efforts of the Fiction Writers’ Guild, saying it has played a significant role in carrying forward the legacy of Kashmiri fiction and will continue to do so in the years ahead.
Professor Gulshan Majeed elaborated on the emerging trends in modern Kashmiri fiction, while in his presidential address, Professor Shafi Shouq emphasized that the Kashmiri language and literature are the true custodians of the Valley’s cultural identity.
A vote of thanks was proposed by Shaukat Shafi, Vice President of the Fiction Writers’ Guild, and the session was ably conducted by Dr. Gulzar Ahmad Rather, member of the Kashmiri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi.
The first session featured a panel discussion chaired by Professor Ayaz Rasool Nazki, with Rahim Rahbar and Engineer Shafi Ahmad as members of the presidium. Panelists Dr. Shafqat Altaf, Shamshad Kralwari, and Dr. Nilofer Naz Nahvi shared detailed perspectives on the current state of Kashmiri fiction. The session was moderated by Mohammad Saleem Saalik.
The valedictory session was chaired by Professor Majrooh Rashid, with Mohiuddin Reshi and Dr. Nazir Mushtaq in the presidium. During this session, Dr. Ashraf Zia, Yousuf Jahangir, and Mahfuza Nabi presented their short stories, followed by reflections from the chair and dignitaries.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Nasir Zameer, General Secretary of the Fiction Writers’ Guild.
Prominent personalities who graced the symposium included Mohammad Amin Bhat (President, Adbi Markaz Kamraz & Member, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi), Professor Shafiqa Parveen, Professor Hameeda Naeem, Shafiq Qureshi, Dr. Tariq Abdullah Khawar, Dr. Ahmad Manzoor, Tasneem Akhtar, Mushtaq Kaini, Dr. Shehzada Saleem, Dr. Zameer Ahmad, Mohammad Yousuf Shaheen, Manzoor Kanth, Mushtaq Mehdi, Masood Shadab, G.M. Bhat, Niyaz Bhat, Akhtar Miraj, and Gulshan Badrani.
A number of students also attended the event, including Mohammad Saqlain, Sania, Zoya, and Faizan Ahmad.
