Dr.Ratan Bhattacharjee
In the twilight of a Kashmiri evening, when the chinars whisper ancient songs and the Jhelum flows like a forgotten verse, Professor Mehfooza Jan’s stories linger. They speak of love and longing, of faith and fracture, of a people who refuse to forget. She is not just a storyteller—she is Kashmir’s literary conscience. As the region continues to navigate its complex realities, voices like hers remind us that stories are not just entertainment. They are testimonies, prayers, and revolutions and Dr. Mehfooza Jan, with her pen and her passion, ensures that Kashmir’s story is never silenced. Dr. Mehfooza Jan is the literary luminary and storyteller of present day Kashmir. Though reviews of her most recent books including the newly released Kazel Daag are not yet available, still it is expected that in the days to come her books will enrich the academic discourse on Kashmiri literature and serve as a resource for students and scholars of regional languages and inspire emerging writers to explore Kashmiri identity through fiction.
Of late Sahitya Akademi significantly organizes the program “Kathasandhi: Story Readings by Eminent Kashmiri short story writer Mehfooza Jan “ on October 25, 2025 . at Conference Hall of Tagore Hall, Srinagar, Jammu Kashmir. It was a good initiative .The event centered on Professor Mehfooza Jan who presented her short story “ Gashe Kol” . Her fifth story collection Kazel Daag was released during the function. Prof Shad Ramzan Convener of the Kashimiri Advisory Board , welcomed attendees and underscored Sahitya Akademi’s commitment to preserving India’s regional languages emphasizing the significane of Kashmiri short story .
Dr. Mehfooza Jan’s recent book has not been widely reviewed yet, but her ongoing contributions to Kashmiri literature remain deeply influential. While specific analysis of her latest publication is not currently available, her broader body of work continues to shape the discourse around Kashmiri storytelling, language preservation, and literary criticism. Dr. Mehfooza Jan’s recent writings continue to explore the evolution of Kashmiri short stories, with a focus on modernist experimentation, gendered narratives, and the spiritual undertones of Kashmiri poetics. Her critical lens often blends traditional literary forms like the mathnavi with contemporary storytelling techniques, offering a bridge between the classical and the modern.
Mehfooza Jan is eminent feministic literary figure of Kashmiri literature , her unique masterpieces in the field of fiction, poetry and translation besides her research and literary criticism. The plot of her stories includes traditional symbolic ambiguous patterns are not only the witness of the deep insight artist but takes a reader to deep oceans of thinking due an extraordinary sudden emotional touch . If her latest book follows the trajectory of her previous works— Sheenemaain ,a collection of Kashmiri shortstories(1990) Atnarikh Tsainj a Collection of Kashmiri short stories (1992) Shihij Wath, a collection of Kashmiri shortstories (1998) Pothtshoe, a collection of Kashmiri shortstories(1990). Handrayar ,her translation of Sadat Hassan Mantos Short stories ( 2005).
The close readings of contemporary Kashmiri short stories include comparative analysis of pre- and post-Partition literary voices, reflections on the role of women in Kashmiri fiction and insights into the sociopolitical undercurrents of regional fiction. Her writing is known for its lucid prose, academic precision, and emotional resonance. She often uses metaphor and allegory to unpack complex cultural and philosophical ideas. Her critical essays are not just analytical—they are deeply empathetic, often invoking the lived experiences of Kashmiris.
In the heart of Kashmir’s poetic landscape, where snow-laced mountains echo centuries of mystic verse and folklore, Dr. Mehfooza Jan stands as a towering figure—a storyteller, scholar, and cultural custodian whose work has shaped the literary consciousness of the region. Her journey, spanning decades of academic rigor and creative brilliance, reveals a woman deeply committed to preserving and evolving the Kashmiri language, its storytelling traditions, and its poetic soul.She is a scholar rooted in tradition.
Born on February 12, 1964, Mehfooza Jan’s early life was steeped in the cultural rhythms of Kashmir. Her academic path led her to earn an M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D., culminating in a distinguished career at the University of Kashmir, where she joined as a lecturer in 2001 and rose to become Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Kashmiri . She has supervised eight (08) PhD and fifteen (15) Mphil scholars. Her teaching spans literary history, the art of writing, and the analysis of intricate beauty of mathnavi—a poetic form central to Persian and Kashmiri traditions. Her intellectual contributions are staggering that include 28 published books, numerous research papers in prestigious journals, and active participation in national seminars and translation workshops.
Her work bridges the scholarly and the creative, the classical and the contemporary. Her research includes critical studies like “ SHAH QALANDARNI SHAYRI MANZ ASHKUK VARTAV” and “JADEED KASHMIRI AFSANAIE KAI TAJRUBAAT PAR AIK NAZAR”, which examine the evolution of Kashmiri poetry and fiction through a modern lens.. These works not only preserve literary heritage but also challenge readers to engage with it anew.
In a region often caught between political turbulence and cultural erasure, Dr. Mehfooza Jan’s dedication to the Kashmiri language is an act of resistance. Her translations, editorial work, and linguistic research serve as a bulwark against the fading of native expression. She herself being a distinguished member of Sahitya Akademi has participated in landmark events like the National Translation Workshop by Sahitya Akademi and the All India Folklore Congress, where she championed the role of regional languages in national discourse.
.Her advocacy extends to mentoring young writers, curating literary festivals, and fostering dialogue between Kashmiri and Urdu literary traditions. She believes that storytelling is not just an art—it is a lifeline for cultural survival. Mehfooza Jan is also a public intellectual. Her presence at seminars, such as the Two-Day National Seminar on “Poetics of Short Story and Kashmiri Short Story”, reflects her commitment to literary community-building Her YouTube appearances and interviews reveal a woman who is both humble and visionary. She speaks not only of literature but of the emotional and spiritual dimensions of storytelling, often invoking Sufi metaphors and folkloric wisdom.
Her engagement with Sufi poetry and metaphysical narratives reflects Kashmir’s spiritual heritage.As a woman in academia and literature, she explores the nuanced roles of women in Kashmiri society and storytelling. Her stories often evoke lost traditions, oral histories, and the fragile beauty of Kashmiri life. Her essays critique the marginalization of Kashmiri language and advocate for its revival. Mehfooza Jan’s storytelling is intergenerational. She draws from the past to illuminate the present, and her work often serves as a bridge between elders who remember oral tales and youth seeking literary identity. Her editorial guidance has nurtured countless writers, and her translations have made Kashmiri literature accessible to wider audiences. She is not just a writer—she is a weaver of cultural fabric, threading together myth, memory, and meaning.The legacy of Mehfooza Jan is already etched in the annals of Kashmiri literature. Her students carry forward her teachings, her books are cited in literary research, and her voice continues to inspire. In a region where storytelling is both sacred and endangered, she has become a guardian of the word.Her influence extends beyond academia. She is a role model for women writers, a beacon for linguistic preservation, and a symbol of intellectual resilience. Lal Ded Foundation Award Radio Kashmir Srinagar Awarded a certificate for contribution to electronic media in 1998. To call Mehfooza Jan merely a professor would be an understatement. She is, above all, a storyteller—one who weaves narratives that reflect the soul of Kashmir. Her short stories and critical essays explore themes of identity, memory, mysticism, and social change. Whether analyzing the poetics of Kashmiri short stories or delving into the philosophical undercurrents of Sufi poetry, her voice resonates with clarity and compassion.
Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee is a former Affiliate Faculty of English ,Virginia Commonwealth University USA and a multilingual Columnist and Poet. Email profratanbhattacharjee@gmail.com
