On the eve of first death anniversary of Valley’s renowned literary luminary Ghulam Nabi Gauhar, Kashmir Markez-e-Adab Shakafat, Charari Sharief will be conducting a seminar in commemoration of the late writer, poet, jurist at Model Degree College, Charari Sharief today (25 June).
GN Gauhar wore many hats in his illustrious career. Born in Charar e Shareef on 26 August 1934, Gauhar passed away last year on 19 June 2018 at the age of 84.
Gauhar had done his Masters in Persian Literature from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in 1957, in the same year he completed his LLB from AMU and later on Gauhar also completed KCS (Judicial) 1963.
In his career as a jurist, Gauhar’s professional distinctions included being the Defence Counsel for former Prime Minister of Jammu Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in the Kashmir Conspiracy Case. Gauhar was also the defence counsel for well known politician Molvi Masoodi in the Hazratbal Murder case.
During Gauhar’s career as judge, Gauhar held different positions, including as Special Magistrate Municipal Cases, Special Magistrate Forest Cases, Chief Judicial Magistrate - Kathua, Leh Srinagar, Sessions Judge: Kupwara, Bhaderwah & Srinagar, Chairman J&K Industrial Tribunal & Labor Court and Appellate Authority under J&K Municipal Act with powers of Minister Local Self Govt.
Gauhar was a prolific poet. His poetry collections include Gazal (Compilation of 150 Gazals 1990), Zaadi Rah: Naat, Watis Zam Zam : Poems, Tsimri Zool:Quatrains, Aakh Te Ang: 100 Gazals – 2002 and Wyor : Poetry.
Gauhar also acquired distinction as the only novelist from Kashmir valley. Gauhar’s novels include Mujrim (1970), Myol (1975, also included in JKPSC and UPSC Syllabus), Paap Te Pun (1988), which is considered the first Radio novel, Be Naw (Serialized in Shiraza), Argi Ashud (Epic novel, which describes Kashmir from 1930 to 1990), and Torchbearer in Dark Times (Recreation of Argi Ashud novel in English, published by RAIDER INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHERS, New York-Ottawa-London and Cape Town).
Apart from his prolific career as a writer and a poet, Gauhar was also a dedicated researcher. His critically acclaimed research work includes his monographs on Sheikh Noor ud Din Wali titled Alamdar (Edited 1972, Urdu) and Sheikh Noor ud Din Wali (English, Project Sahitya Academy). Gauhar has also written a monograph on Abdul Ahad Azad. Gauhar’s other work includes Sahifa Noor (Urdu), a monograph on Mirza Gh. Hassan Being Arif, Authentic Kulyati Shiekh ul Alam.
Gauhar has also written on mysticism. His work on mysticism include Irfaan-e-Kashmir (Urdu, 6 volumes), Kashmir Mystic Thought (English).
Gauhar was also a translater of repute and has translated works of Bankim Chandra Chaterjee, Noor ud Din Wali among others.
Gauhar didn’t shy away from writing on contemporary issues of the times he lived in. During the height of insurgency in Kashmir, Gauhar wrote on Hazratbal siege titled Hazratbal Central stage of Kashmir Politics [English - Virgo, Pub, Malvyia Nagar New Delhi; Second Edition (2010) Gulshan Pub, Srinagar].
Gauhar has also written on the siege on Charar e Shareef titled Military Operation in Kashmir – Militants Insurgency at Charari-Sharif.
Gauhar has received many laurels for his work. Gauhar received the JK Academy Awards for his novel Mujrim in 1971, his novel Miyol in 1976, his novel Pun Te Paap in 1989, for his Gazal collection in 1991. Gauhar has also won the National Award for his novel Pun Te Paap, which was the first Kashmiri novel to get the Sahitya Academy Award.
The seminar on Gauhar will be organized in collaboration with Model Degree College Charari Sharief, M/s Sheikh Mohammed Usman & sons, Urdu Daily Tameel e Irshad with media partner Brighter Kashmir.
Research work of Late Gauhar on Hazrat Sheikh Noor Ud Din Wali tilted "IRFAN e NOOR" comprising of four books I) Quadi Irfan, II) Noor e Irfan, III) Sharyer e Irfan, IV) Karwani Irfan is being released on this occasion. Papers on Gauhar are to be presented by scholars, and a Mehfile Musharia will also part of seminar.
Well known scholars, writer’s journalists which include Justice Bashir Ahmad Kirmani, Prof Mohammed Zaman Ahzurda, jenab G.N. Aathis, Prof Bashir Basher, Dr Shad Ramzan, Zaffer Mehraj, Dr Gulzar Rather, Rias Mohiud Din and others will grace the seminar.