The Ladakh Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, Kargil, in collaboration with Adbi Junk Ladakh Chapter jointly organised a District Level Multilingual Mehfil-e-Mushaira at Academy Hall, Kargil,  on May 31.

The programme was organised in the seminar hall of the academy in which poets belonging to different languages of Kargil district participated and recited their poetry.

As many as 17 poets from different parts of Kargil recited their compositions in different languages. 

Padma Shri awardee Akhone Asgar Ali Basharat, a renowned Balti writer and poet was the Sader-e-Mehfil-cum-Chief Guest, while State Awardee Ghulam Ahmed Jawan, renowned writer, poet of Sheena was guest of honour and Aga Sayed Hadi and Mohd Ibrahim Rahi renowned Purgi poet/ writer of Kargil were special guests on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Akhone Asgar Ali Basharat lauded the efforts of the Ladakh Cultural Academy, Kargil and Adbi Junk Ladakh Chapter, Kargil for jointly organising such graceful and fruitful programmes from time to time. He termed the poets as the eyes of the society who can play a great role in eradicating the social evils by virtue of the persuasive power of their poetry.

He also lauded their efforts for taking keen interest in the realm of poetry that has no apparent benefits in terms of money.

He also urged the Deputy Secretary, Cultural Academy Kargil to organise such literary programmes at different places to disseminate the poetic tradition and message to wider audiences.

Aga Sayed Hadi said it is a matter of great satisfaction that the land of Kargil has a good number of poets in such a small magnitude of the population as compared to other places. He applauded the role of poets in Kargil in guiding and encouraging young and aspiring poets to excel in the field of poetry and literature.

He further said local poets have the calibre to keep the tradition of poetry in Kargil alive. He emphasised the need to organise such programmes at schools and colleges to impart awareness and to imbibe poetic inspiration among youth.

While welcoming the gathering, Nazir Hussain, Deputy Secretary of the academy lauded the writers/poets fraternity and that their contribution in the literacy field is commendable and has been instrumental in making the society healthy. He said that Ladakh Cultural Academy Kargil is committed to preservation and promotion of rich Art, Culture and Languages in Kargil through such literary and other programmes.

Deputy Secretary Kargil expressed gratitude on behalf of the academy to Adbi Junk Ladakh Chapter their tremendous support for jointly organising such programmes. He further said Ladakh Cultural Academy is open to help people who are interested to showcase their poetic talent. He urged the novices to participate in such programmes to have a know-how of the ambience and to seek necessary guidance from senior poets.

He urged the concerned quarters connected with the academy to keep continuing their support enabling the academy to fulfil the desired objectives.

The poets, who recited their poetry on the occasion, include Padma Shri Akhone Asgar Ali Basharat, Ghulam Ahamed Jawan (Sate Awardee), Aga Sayed Hadi Shah Aga Habibullah Kakpori, Mohd Ibrahim Rahi, Muhammad Asgar Aasi, Bashir Ahmad Wafa, Haji Mohd Baqir Saba, Haji Murtaza Advocate, Haji Ghulam Qadir Zaki, Tsewang Rigzin Forok, Mohd Hussain Rehuma, Zahid Mukhtar Budgami, Muhammad Taqi Khan Nayaab, Shujat Ali Shujat, Mohd Arif Aryan, Ghulam Nabi Skith local poets, scholars, district officers and a large number of the general public among others were also present on the occasion.

Shujat Ali Shujat conducted the programme proceedings while Haji Mohd Baqir Saba convener of the Adbi Junk Ladakh Chapter, delivered the vote of thanks at the end.