A solemn literary function was held at Government Model Degree College, Chrari Sharif, to commemorate the 7th death anniversary of renowned writer, jurist, and novelist Ghulam Nabi Gowhar. The event was jointly organized by Kashmir Markaz Adab-o-Saqafat, Gowhar Memorial Trust, and the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
Noted scholar Prof. Mohammad Zaman Azurda was the chief guest, while Dr. Hafeez Masoodi, Special Secretary, IT Department, served as the guest of honour. The presidium included Prof. Farooq Fayaz, President of Markazi Adab Kamraz; Mohammad Amin Bhat; Dr. Arshid Hussain, Principal of the host college; Syed Shabir, Joint Director, Education Kashmir; and Begum Haseena Gowhar, Chairperson of Gowhar Memorial Trust.
On the occasion, the Gowhar Memorial Award was presented to veteran writer Inayat Gul, while the Khilat Sheikh-ul-Alam Award was conferred upon renowned teacher and writer Shabir Qureshi (Ibne Shahbaz).
In his address, Prof. Azurda hailed Gowhar's work as a deep reflection of Kashmir's social and political ethos, urging youth to explore his writings to understand the region's culture and history. Dr. Hafeez Masoodi and Prof. Fayaz also praised Gowhar’s literary and cultural legacy, especially his contributions in interpreting Kalam Sheikh-ul-Alam.
Scholars Mushtaq Mehram and Yunis Waheed presented detailed papers highlighting Gowhar’s prolific authorship—over sixty books in Kashmiri, Urdu, and English—covering literature, politics, Sufism, and more.
The gathering also paid homage to Gowhar’s close associates, poet Assadullah Afaqi and his uncle Molvi Jalal-ud-Din Waiz.
A musical tribute was presented by noted Kashmiri singer Manzoor Ahmad Shah, on behalf of the Cultural Academy. The event witnessed participation from a wide spectrum of writers, poets, academics, students, and admirers, including Gowhar’s family members Batool Gowhar and Zeenat Gowhar.