Shopian: South Kashmir’s district Shopian continues to remain in headlines for all the unfortunate reasons. The district that is caught in death and destruction from last couple of years has, however, many ‘untold stories to share’ that talk about successes and contributions.
One such ‘untold story’ is about Ashraf Raavi – a lecturer in Political Science – who hails from the Shopian district. Ashraf has translated a number of Kashmiri short stories, written by the pioneers of Kashmiri literature, in his book titled “The Conscience of Kashmir” and thereby making a significant contribution towards revival of Kashmiri literature.
Talking to the Kashmir Images, Ashraf Raavi said that the book comprise of 30 Kashmiri short stories that he has translated into English.
“My book takes its readers to the historical background of Kashmiri short stories. It is an attempts to explain as how the style of Kashmiri short stories changed from 1950 up to now. The book contains short stories on different topics like political issues, cultural onslaught of westernization, economic crisis etc,” Ashraf Raavi told Kashmir Images.
Ashraf said that it is the language only that preserves the identity of a particular group or community. “Kashmiri language is being spoken and read in Kashmir only as the people outside have no access to Kashmiri literature and above all they are unfamiliar with the Kashmiri authors.”
While talking about the importance of his book “The Conscience of Kashmir”, Ashraf Raavi said: “Prime motive of my book is to make people, especially non Kashmiris aware about the Kashmiri literature and also acquaint them with the Kashmiri writers.”
“For publication of the book, I have paid from my own pocket. I am also planning to make it available globally,” he added.
Ashraf Ravi said that the book has been translated into English language because the language is most widely read in the world. “The book received a good response from the readers in January 2018, at the world book fair in New Delhi.”
“I have translated a book of Satish Vimal ‘Littérateur Diary’ which is yet to be published,” he said.
“Lack of institutional support to Kashmiri language poses a threat to its survival and also makes it dismally limited in its scope. Apart from being concerned about the politics here, the Kashmiri people should pay some attention to the Kashmiri literature also,” says Ashraf.
While advising the government to initiate steps for the revival of Kashmiri language and its promotion, Ashraf said: “It is very good that the education department has made Kashmiri a compulsory subject in the schools, now it should keep on monitoring if this decision is being taken seriously.”
With a number of renowned Kashmiri poets and authors like Amin Kamil, Anwar Shopiani, Shahzada Rafiq, Ratan Lal emerging from the Shopian district, who reflect a unique style of writing in their poetry blended with the humor, Shopian district has played a pivotal role in the development of Kashmiri literature.
