Ghulam Nabi Gowhar Explained

Ghulam Nabi Gowhar
Birth Name:Ghulam Nabi Muqeem
Birth Date:26 June 1934
Birth Place:Charari Sharief, Jammu and Kashmir (princely state), British India
Death Place:Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Resting Place:Durj-e-Gowhar
Language:Kashmiri, Urdu, English
Education:Postgraduate in Persian, Gandhi Memorial College, Srinagar

Bachelor of Law, Aligarh Muslim University

Subject:Politics, Literature, History
Spouses:--> Haseena Gowhar
Children:4
Awards:Sahitya Akademi Award
Years Active:1969–2018

Ghulam Nabi Gowhar (born Ghulam Nabi Muqeem; 26 June 1934 19 June 2018) was a multilingual Indian Kashmiri author, novelist, poet, columnist and a retired sessions jurist. He wrote about sixty books in Kashmiri, Urdu, and in English languages on various subjects such as politics, literature, history and on Sufism. In 1971, he wrote a novel titled Mujrim, leading him to become the "first novelist of Kashmiri literature". The recipient of cultural and literary awards and accordion, including Sahitya Akademi Award, he is also credited for translating constitution of India into Kashmiri language.[1] [2]

He also conducted extensively research on various subjects such as history of Kashmir and Sufi saints. He is also credited for deciphering the poetry (called Shruks) of Nund Rishi. He also documented Bijbehara Massacre and Charari Sharief operation in his two historical books titled The Central Stage of Kashmir Politics and Military operation in Kashmir: insurgency at Charar-e-Sharief.

Early life and education

He was born as Ghulam Nabi Muqeem to Haji Mohammed Akram Mukim in Charari Sharief town of Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir princely state of British India. He received his initial schooling at his hometown, and graduated from Gandhi Memorial College, Srinagar. Later, he went to Uttar Pradesh and did his Bachelor of Laws from the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). He postgraduated in Persian language from AMU.

Gowhar originally started his career in judicial. He started legal practice in Budgam, and was then appointed as a judge. Prior to his appointment, he wanted to be a politician, however before participating in elections, he qualified the judicial examination and was appointed as a judge and retired as a Sessions Judge. He, according to the Greater Kashmir wrote some judgements in the form of rhythmic poems, and sometimes used to deliver verdict on the pattern of poetry and stories.

Literary career

He was also involved in writings while serving as a judge. However, he became known to literary society around 1969 when his first novel titled Mujrim (The Guilty) was published. He later wrote numerous novels until he became the "first novelist of Kashmiri literature" with a first-ever Kashmiri language novel titled Arg-e-Ashud, published in 2012 by the Adbee Markaz Kamraz (AMK), a literary organization of the union territory. In 1973, he wrote second novel titled Meoul (Union), and later Paap Ti Punye (Vice and Virtue). His third novel, which was awarded Sahitya Akademi award in 1988 was also broadcast on Radio Kashmir Jammu. He covered the history of Kashmir before partition in his another novel titled Gilnavith Kath (Torch Bearer), published by the Raider Publishing International, New York.

Besides writing novels, he conducted extensive research about Sufi saints, including Nund Rishi and wrote research books titled Kalam e Sheikhul Alam and Saheef-e-Noor on the subject. He translated poetry of Muhammad Iqbal and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee into Kashmiri language.[3] He also edited the complete literary work of Ghulam Nabi Aariz, the 9th century's Kashmiri poet.[4]

Publications

style="background:#FFFFCC;"
Remarks denote a short description of the work where available.
TitleYear Type/Credited asRemarks
1Mujrim (The Guilty)1969NovelThe novel was awarded Sahitya Akademi Award
2Meoul (Union)1973Novel
3Paap ti Punye (Vice and Virtue)1973NovelThe novel was awarded Sahitya Akademi Award, 1988
4Arg-e-Ashud2012NovelFirst-ever novel written in Kashmiri language. It covers detailed account of history of Kashmir before and after 1947
5Taap Ti Kul Novel
6Gilnavith Kath (Torch Bearer)Novel
7Kalam e Sheikhul AlamBookTranslation of Nund Reshi's poetry
8Saheef-e-NoorBookA detailed account of Nund Reshi
9The Central Stage of Kashmir PoliticsBookA detailed account Bijbehara Massacre
10Military operation in Kashmir: insurgency at Charar-e-ShariefBookA detailed account of Charari Sharief operation

Death

Gowhar was suffering from Kidney disease and died of Kidney failure on 19 June 2018 in Kralpora of Budgam district.[5] [6] His death anniversary is celebrated annually by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, a state-owned literary organization dedicated to promote regional languages and art and culture in the state.[7]

References

Notes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Writer, columnist G N Gowhar passes away. Rising Kashmir. 9 July 2020. 12 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200712111941/http://risingkashmir.com/news/writer-columnist-g-n-gowhar-passes-away-. dead.
  2. Web site: Kashmiri language gets first novel of its kind. 17 October 2012. 9 July 2020. 9 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200709105619/https://kashmirwatch.com/kashmiri-language-gets-first-novel-of-its-kind/. dead.
  3. Web site: G N Gowhar: The Judge who delivered verdict in poetry, stories. 6 July 2018. Greater Kashmir.
  4. Book: Datta, Amaresh. Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti. 9 July 1988. Sahitya Akademi. 9788126011940. Google Books.
  5. Web site: Renowned Kashmiri writer Ghulam Gowhar dies. Tribune News. Service. Tribuneindia News Service.
  6. Web site: Former Judge Ghulam Nabi Gowhar passes away. 19 June 2018.
  7. Web site: Gh Nabi Gowhar remembered on his 2nd death annervarsay.. Brighter Kashmir.