JKAACL unveils Punjabi translation of Dr. Rafiq Masoodi’s Kashmiri poetry

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), in collaboration with the Punjabi Lekhak Sabha (PLS), released the Punjabi translation of Dr. Rafiq Masoodi’s celebrated Kashmiri poetry collection at a special event held at the K L Saigal Auditorium, Writers’ Club, Jammu.

The event marked the formal release of “Meri Peed, Mera Birahara”, the Punjabi version of Dr. Masoodi’s original Kashmiri work “Panun Doad, Panen Dug”. The translation was carried out by Dr. Gagandeep Singh of Delhi University, who was lauded for maintaining the poetic integrity and emotional resonance of the original.

Eminent writer and Sahitya Akademi awardee Khalid Hussain graced the occasion as the chief guest. Other prominent figures in attendance included Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JKAACL; Dr. Arvinder Singh Amn, former Additional Secretary, JKAACL; Shalendra Singh, SSP Railways; senior journalist Sohail Kazmi; Dr. Baljit Raina, President of PLS; and the author himself, Dr. Rafiq Masoodi, a former Secretary of JKAACL.

In her welcome address, Harvinder Kour underscored the cultural relevance of the book, noting that the poetry vividly reflects the emotional and historical landscape of Kashmir. She described the collection as a bridge between languages and communities.

Originally published in 2013, “Panun Doad, Panen Dug” is a poignant reflection on the Kashmiri experience — a deeply personal and collective account of pain, displacement, and resilience. An English translation titled “My Pain, My Affliction”, translated by eminent scholar Prof. Muhammad Aslam, was published in 2022, further expanding the book’s global reach.

The event also featured the presentation of two scholarly papers by Prabhjot Kour and Charanjit Singh, examining the literary value and thematic richness of the poetry. Commenting on their work, Dr. Arvinder Singh Amn praised the duo for their critical insights and commended Dr. Gagandeep Singh for skillfully capturing the essence of the original verses in Punjabi.

Chief guest Khalid Hussain, in his address, hailed Dr. Masoodi’s poetry as transcending communal boundaries and speaking to a shared human condition. “The humanitarian tone that runs through his work gives voice to the collective soul of Kashmir,” he noted.

Other speakers, including Sohail Kazmi, Dr. Baljit Raina, Shailender Singh, Swami Anternirav, and S. Harjit Singh Uppal, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the literary and socio-cultural importance of the collection.

Dr. Masoodi took the opportunity to share his literary journey, reflecting on his experiences as both a writer and an administrator. His address offered the audience a personal glimpse into the inspirations and challenges behind his work.

The proceedings were conducted by Dr. Harsimran Singh, who seamlessly anchored the event and guided the programme with eloquence.

The book release was hailed as a significant step toward promoting cultural exchange and preserving regional literature through translation.