New Delhi: The Sahitya Akademi has translated and published works on renowned Kashmiri women poets and mystics, including Lal Ded, Habba Khatoon and Rupa Bhavani, in several Indian languages, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the Rajya Sabha.
Replying to a question on the preservation of Kashmir’s literary heritage, the minister said the Sahitya Akademi undertakes literary translations in 24 Indian languages recognised by the institution.
He said the Akademi has published a Hindi translation of Lal Ded’s classical verses titled Lalleshwari Ke Vakh, edited by Radhavallabh Tripathi and translated by Adwaitvadini Kaul. Monographs on Lal Ded have also been published in English, Hindi and Urdu.
According to the minister, monographs on Habba Khatoon have been published in English, Hindi, Tamil and Urdu, while a monograph on Rupa Bhavani has been brought out in English.
Shekhawat also informed the House that Gyan Bharatam, an initiative of the Ministry of Culture, provides a framework for the survey, documentation, conservation, digitisation, research and dissemination of India’s manuscript heritage through collaboration with universities, scholars and research institutions.
He said financial assistance had been released to Gyan Bharatam Centres in Jammu and Kashmir during the past two financial years, including ₹16.55 lakh in 2024-25 and ₹28 lakh in 2025-26.
