S Mashoq Ahmad is very well included among those only few young litterateurs who have succeeded in gaining popularity through print, electronic and social media and have served Urdu literature in it's all forms. Hailing from historical and scenically beautiful Kelam village of Kulgam district, S Mashoq Ahmad is progressing by leaps and bounds in literary field. His articles, essays and reviews are regularly featured in reputed local and national level newspapers and magazines. His art of composing his writings will soon make him a star among the writers because he writes with full vigor, zeal, and passion. He has written about the life, achievements and literar contribution of almost every litterateur of valley. His articles and columns were well taken and applauded by the readers published in prominent Urdu daily Kashmir Uzma. His authored book which is currently under my review is "Dabistani Kashmir ke Darakhshan Sitare" published by Meezan Publishers Batamaloo Srinagar. It is a 167 page beautifully designed book highlighting the life, achievements and literary contribution of twenty two prolific litterateurs of valley.
Its cover page is beautifully decorated and on back of the book, Haqaniul Qasmi has written an appreciating note about the author of this book. The beauty of this book can be assessed from the fact that S Mashoq Ahmad has given the top first place to legendary fiction writer of valley Noor Shah sahib in this book. S Mashoq has dedicated this creative work to his parents. The prominent fiction writer of Kashmir Noor Shah sahib has written a beautiful proem of this book on page 7. He says like his own book 'Jammu Kashmir ke Urdu Afsana Nigaar' published few years ago, S Mashoq's this book will too be appreciated and complimented by literature lovers. It has enough material to offer to please big readership.
Prof Khawaja Akramudin of JNU also has written a beautiful note on the book on page 9 under the title Harfe Chand/ few words. He says "apart from the scenic and natural beauty of valley in which vast green grassy meadows, snow clad hills and murmuring freshwater resources are attracting the tourists of all corners of globe, it's major beauty is seen and felt when one visits the shrines of hundreds of Sufi saints buried here. In addition to that, this sacred land is fertile literary because a good number of people have worked here for the upliftment of literature despite their all odds. After reading a meekly written introduction and objective of the book by S Mashoq Ahmad, one comes to know about the down to earth personality of author. In its note on page 11 author says 'it was August 2021 when he went through an English article written by prolific English columnist Mushtaqq Barraq about Dr Riyaz Tawheedi. He desired to write in Urdu about Urdu litterateurs of valley and he soon was appreciated for the work by Raja Yousuf and Dr Tawheedi". Mr Mashoq geared up for the work and it is the result of his hard toil that we are holding this book in our hands and coming to know about our literary hero's. About S Mashoq Ahmad, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Wani assistant professor Urdu BBGSBU has written a detailed seven-page article reflecting his love and appreciation for the author. He writes " S Mashoq Ahmad is a prolific writer whose essays, columns, short stories and nano fictions are regularly published by leading local and national newspapers and magazines.
He loves Urdu and Urdu literature more than his self. I applaud and have deep love for such young litterateurs who serve literature even after completing their academics and securing a job". Of the 22 top litterateurs forming the contents of the book, S Mashoq Ahmad has started his job by penning down the life sketch, achievements, and literary contribution of Noor Shah sahib on page 27 of this book. He says whenever one intends to write about a legendary and distinguished literary figure about whom much has been written and whose literary influence has been across the borders, one thinks a hundred times before striking pen on paper. So extra care and caution is maintained while writing anything about such personalities.
One such literary hero of valley is Noor Shah sahib. A legendary fiction writer and distinguished litterateur and is regarded as the sun of Urdu literature of valley. About Noor Shah sahib, well-known writer Asmat Chagtai once said " I see Kashmir in Noor Shah's Urdu short stories. One of this distinguished fiction writer's short story is found in Urdu textbook of class 10th also. Rahim Rehbar, this is a popular name in Kashmir. Whenever during my childhood, I used to tune in Radio Kashmir Srinagar at 9:30 pm most often I would listen the drama and in the end the announcer would say "you were listening a drama written by Rahim Rehbar". Rahim Rehbar has made a great addition to the treasure of literature. He is indeed a big name. In English, Urdu and Kashmiri Rahim Rehbar has so for compiled 61 books. S Mashoq has given due credit to this great son of soil by writing a mesmerizing and we'll crafted six page tribute 45-50. In Kashmiri language alone he has compiled 11 collections of short stories. Greatness of his short stories can be analyzed from the fact that these are translated into English, Arabi, Persian, Hindi and Punjabi.
Rukhsana Jabeen, this is a household name in valley. Prior to the launching of smartphones, when Radio was the only source of recreation, Payami Subha program of RK Srinagar was so popular that hardly any member would miss it. So the name of Rukhsana Jabeen has become known almost in every kashmiri home. Her art of speech and the skill of composing scripts has really added to her personality. She superannuated as Director RK Srinagar in 1955. S Mashoq has written a beautiful and informative article about this female poet on page 51-58. Ali Shaida is a prominent name of south Kashmir. He is a well-known poet who writes in English, Urdu and Kashmiri as well. He was inclined towards literature, especially poetry right from his childhood. His passion grew more when his ghazals were given space by the annual magazine Verinag of GDC Anantnag. He when on to become it's editor of Kashmiri section. A well-informative piece about him can be found in this book on page 72-80. Born in January 1956, Zahid Mukhtar a popular name in literary circles of valley succeeded in trying his luck in almost every journal of literature (81-86). He has authored almost a dozen books in Urdu and Kashmiri. Dr Jawahar Qayoumi is indeed a reliable name, whenever we talk about successful literary figures of valley who really have irrigated and made fertile the soil of literature through their noble efforts (94-100). He writes in English, Urdu and kashmiri and has authored 18 books. The passing away of Nazir Jawhar few years back was really an irreparable loss to the literary circles of valley. His short stories were well received by the readers and he possessed a unique style of composing short stories depicting ugly and healthy state of society (101-108). Maqbool Ferozi is a prominent and popular name in valley. His expertise in Islamic mysticism has helped him gaining an extraordinary popularity both among litterateurs as well as Islamic scholars. He has completed a couple of books related to mysticism. On daily basis he writes beautiful pieces and shares them on Facebook. After seeing his style of writing Urdu and his knowledge about Islamic mysticism, I have become a big fan of Ferozi Sahib. Dr Nazir Mushtaq's unique skill and style of composing short stories and micro fictions have given a new shape to Urdu fiction in valley. Whenever he composes his creations and then shares on social media, with in minutes he receives hundreds of complimentary comments. Tariq Shabnam's Urdu short stories in weekly literary pages of Kashmir Uzma and Tameel Irshad are well taken by the literary circles of valley. He is a passionate writer who often writes beautiful creative pieces showcasing the ill-health of society.
S Mashoq Ahmad a noble young literary figure of valley is moving forward with zest and vibrancy to highlight the contribution of litterateurs and this book is a best example of that. He has left no stone unturned in doing justice with his mission and I am of the firm belief that S Mashoq will get the dividends of his hard work in near future. Wish you all the best dear Mashoq.

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