CONTENTS:- 1. What is Literature?. 2. Oriental Literacy Aesthetic: An Approach towards Definition. 3. Kashmiri Literature: A Brief Survery. 4. Kashmiri Culture in Transition A Point of View. 5. Developing a Literacy Terminology in Kashmiri Some Key Considerations. 6. Research Studies in Kashmiri Problems and Challenges. 7. The Art of the Ghazal. 8. Sermonizing in Verse: The Poetic Utterances of Hazrat Sheik al Alam. 9. The Impact of Hazrat Sheikh al Alam on Kashmiri's Life and Literature. 10. Hazrat Sharf al-Din Bulbul Shah A Quiet Missionary. 11. Chihl Asrar: An Evaluation. 12. Iqbal and Shah Hamdaan. 13. The Cultural Value of Ghani's Poetry. 14. Ghani: A Poet of Disparate Ideas. 15. Rahman Rahi's Siah Rudi Jaren Manz. 16. Shafi Shauq's Poetry: An Overview. 17. Agha Shahid Ali: The Poet of The Country Without a Post Office and Beyond.
DESCRIPTION
Seeking to present fresh perspectives on a variety of facets of Kashmir, known or unknown, this book sheds some light not only on the Kashmiri accomplishments but also on a bewildering array of hardships, despairs, failures and indescribable woes that have besieged the Kashmiris since the beginning of the occupation of their land by the forces wholly poles apart culturally, historically and geographically. It attempts to show how their awful agonies emanate essentially from the very concept of deeply flawed partition and a fabricated Instrument of Accession – a political scandal history has seldom witnessed – second in the course of a century; first being that of Treaty of Amritsar 1846 when Kashmir was “sold” to Gulab Singh by a very disparate, unconnected people with irreconcilable racial, linguistic, religious and civilizational differences. The Kashmiri aspirations are the by-product of this outrageous act. Occupying the Valley in gross violation of the terms of Partition Agreement and without ascertaining the wishes of the people; perpetuating injustices and human rights violations to keep alive hegemonic control; exploiting brutally Kashmir's water resources; disconcerting constantly public dissent through the most dreadful route of State Terrorism are some glaring trends to accelerate the Kashmiri urge for change. Though this desire for change has expanded and perfected itself over the years, it needs to be articulated circumspectly and meticulously to be able to realize the cherished dream of Neow Kasheer – a conflict and bigotry-free Kashmir. A suitable and passable knowledge of Kashmir affairs can prove a wonderful antidote to the negativity and ever increasing ratio of mistakes that have crept into our system to overshadow the socio-political firmament of Kashmir to the disadvantage of Kashmiri yearning. The aim of the present volume is to expose certain gross distortions that have been made current for propping up in the Valley an environment of political radicalism, colonial subordination, and cultural subjectivity; a milieu that has proved very effective and powerful enough to distract the public attention from the real issues the Kashmiris are beset with.
