Noted broadcaster and author Abdul Ahad Farhad passed away on Monday, drawing widespread condolences from colleagues, writers, broadcasters and literary organisations across Jammu and Kashmir.
He breathed his last in Jammu, leaving behind a rich legacy in broadcasting and literary thought.
Born in Soura, Srinagar, he lived there for most of his life, deeply connected to the city and its people. His death has left literary and cultural circles in deep mourning.
Farhad was closely associated with Radio Kashmir and All India Radio (AIR), Srinagar, where he earned wide respect as a broadcaster and news anchor.
Known for his refined voice, intellectual depth and humane outlook, he remained a mentor and fatherly figure for several generations of broadcasters and writers.
Farhad is remembered not only for his professional excellence but also for his humility, mentorship and deep commitment to Kashmiri culture, language and Sufi traditions.
Farhad was widely recognized as a versatile and dignified personality, admired for the depth of thought in his writings, elegance in style, and grace in conversation. His lifelong dedication to literature, broadcasting, and cultural endeavors was described as invaluable by colleagues and admirers.
The news of Abdul Ahad Farhad’s death sent waves of sorrow through the literary, journalistic, cultural, and broadcasting communities of Kashmir.
Tributes poured in not only from individuals but also from institutions dedicated to the promotion of Kashmiri language and arts, including Brighter Kashmir and Kashmir Markaz Adab wa Saqafat, acknowledging his immense contribution to literature and cultural heritage.
These organizations hailed Farhad as a beacon of intellectual honesty, cultural awareness, and creativity.
At condolence meetings organized in his memory, participants expressed solidarity with the bereaved family, offering prayers for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength and patience to the family in this difficult hour.
Farhad’s legacy as a writer, poet, and cultural icon continues to inspire and will remain an enduring part of Kashmir’s literary and broadcasting history.
Several social, literary and cultural organisations expressed condolences, terming Farhad’s death a significant loss to Kashmir’s literary and broadcasting fraternity