The Chinar Book Festival, which wrapped up Sunday after a vibrant nine-day run, wasn’t just about books, it was a celebration of Kashmir’s stories, voices, and artistic soul. The festival grounds buzzed with laughter, lively discussions, and the rustle of pages turning, but it was the closing night that truly left the audience spellbound.
The Azad Dramatic Cultural Club Ganderbal brought the curtains down with a stirring performance of "KEND MANZ GULAB ", a beloved Kashmiri stage drama penned by the Master Abdul Samad Mir. Directed by Ashaq Hussain Najar, the play unfolded like a shared memory, with seasoned actors like Gh Rasool Lone, Ramzan,Mushtaq Ahmad Dar, Mehraj U Din Bhat Bhat,ishfaq Ahmad Bhat,Ab Majeed Dar, M.Maqbool Bhat,Nissar A Bhat, and Ashaq Hussain Najar drawing both laughter and quiet reflection from the crowd.
For many in the audience, the play was more than entertainment, it was a piece of home. "You could feel the emotion in every line," said Amina Bhat, a college student who attended with her family. "These stories connect us to our roots."
Beyond the stage, the festival had something for everyone, children flipping through colourful picture books, poets reciting verses under the shade of chinar trees, and local artisans displaying crafts alongside literary stalls. "It’s rare to see so many people from different walks of life come together for art and literature," remarked Farooq Ahmad, a schoolteacher. "This festival reminds us how much beauty there is in our culture."
As the final notes of music faded and the last stalls packed up, visitors left with not just books, but a renewed sense of pride in Kashmir’s rich storytelling tradition.