To celebrate the linguistic and cultural richness of Prof Rehman Rahi's poetry and its resonance beyond Kashmiri literature, the University of Kashmir Thursday, organised a book reading session and panel discussion here.
The varsity's Department of Urdu, organised the event on 'Intikhab-i-Kalam-i-Rahi', a collection of Rahi's poetry translated into Urdu by acclaimed poet and translator, Dr Satish Vimal.
Reflecting on his translation journey, Dr Satish Vimal described the experience of capturing Rahi’s intricate themes and language.
“Translating Rahi’s poems is a challenging task, given their depth and intricacies. I have done my best to capture the essence, and this book is my tribute to him,” he said, hoping his translation introduces Rahi's profound ideas to new readers and inspires deeper appreciation for Kashmiri literature.
Dr Vimal recited two translated poems and shared personal memories of Rahi, saying, "Rahi Saab's vision and insights shaped my own poetic journey and this session is an opportunity to celebrate his genius together."
Former Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof Nazir Ahmad Malik, said translating Rahi's poetry is no easy feat and that Dr Vimal has done a commendable job, skillfully bridging language and culture.
Lauding the translation, he said: "I have read many translations of Rahi’s work, but this one stands out."
Convener, Kashmiri Board, Sahitya Akademi, Prof Shaad Ramzan, elaborated on the difficulty of translating metaphors in poetry.
"Translating metaphors, especially Rahi's, is challenging as they carry layers of meaning that are difficult to convey fully in another language, and Satish has managed to retain much of Rahi’s nuanced expression," he added.
Outlining the session's purpose, Head, Department of Urdu, Prof Aejaz Mohammad Sheikh, said: "We designed the event to include both recitation and discussion of Rahi’s translated poems, allowing participants to deeply engage with the essence of his work."
He hoped the session would inspire students to explore Rahi's literary contributions and connect with Kashmir's poetic heritage.
Senior faculty, Department of English, KU, Prof Mufti Mudasir Farooqi, discussed the role of translation as a bridge between cultures.
“A good translation retains the original meaning and emotion, and Dr Vimal has effectively captured Rahi’s voice making it accessible to Urdu readers, which is a great accomplishment," he said.
Faculty, Media Education Research Centre (MERC), Dr Rashid Maqbool, recited four of Rahi’s original Kashmiri poems capturing the lyrical beauty of Rahi's voice in his native language.
Senior faculty, Department of Urdu, Dr Kousar Rasool, recited two Urdu translations along with a brief biography of Dr Satish Vimal.
A panel discussion included reflections on Rahi’s themes of love, existentialism, and identity, emphasising the importance of preserving his work through translation for future generations.
Senior faculty, Department of Urdu, Dr Mushtaq Haider, conducted the proceedings of the event, with Prof Aejaz Mohammad Sheikh proposed the formal vote of thanks.
