The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) on Wednesday released Saffron Winds, a collection of poems in English authored by noted writer, columnist and literary figure Sanjay Pandita, at an impressive function held in the Academy’s Seminar Hall in Srinagar.
The event was attended by eminent writers, poets, scholars, academicians and literary enthusiasts from across the Valley.
Renowned writer, academician and Convenor of the Sahitya Akademi Advisory Board for Kashmiri, Prof. Shad Ramzan presided over the function, while distinguished poet, writer and translator Dr. Satish Vimal was the Chief Guest.
Also present on the dais were Mr. Ideel Saleem, Additional Secretary, JKAACL, and Dr. Abid Ahmad, Editor, JKAACL. The book was formally reviewed by noted academic and literary critic Prof. Basharat Bhat.
In his presidential address, Prof. Shad Ramzan described Saffron Winds as a significant contribution to contemporary Kashmiri literary sensibility articulated through the medium of English poetry. He observed that the collection embodies a distinctive poetic voice marked by emotional depth, aesthetic refinement and cultural rootedness. Referring to the poet’s engagement with memory, identity and displacement, he remarked that the poems successfully capture the beauty, pain and resilience associated with Kashmir and its people.
Dr Satish Vimal, while speaking on the occasion, described Saffron Winds as a poignant and evocative collection that transforms memory, longing and belonging into compelling poetry. He further said that through a refined poetic language, Sanjay Pandita preserves the cultural soul of Kashmir while speaking to universal human experiences, adding that the poems are marked by sincerity of emotion and artistic restraint, allowing readers to journey through landscapes of exile, remembrance and hope.
Presenting a detailed review of the book, Prof. Basharat Bhat termed Saffron Winds a valuable addition to the growing corpus of Indian English literature. He noted that the collection presents Kashmir in its totality—its breathtaking landscapes, collective memories, aspirations, social realities and cultural ethos—through a sensitive and compelling poetic idiom. He observed that the poems strike a fine balance between personal reflection and collective experience, enabling readers to engage with universal human emotions through distinctly Kashmiri imagery and symbolism. He also commended the poet for retaining the cultural flavour, rhythm and emotional cadence of Kashmiri expression in his English compositions.
Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Pandita reflected upon his long literary journey and his deep engagement with the social and cultural life of Kashmir. He stated that the poems contained in the volume emerged from lived experiences, observations and memories that continue to shape the collective consciousness of the Kashmiri Pandit community. He emphasized the role of literature in preserving memory, fostering dialogue and bridging emotional distances created by historical circumstances. The author also expressed gratitude to the Academy for facilitating the publication’s release and providing a platform for meaningful literary engagement.
In his welcome address, Additional Secretary JKAACL, Ideel Saleem, outlined the Academy’s vision of nurturing a vibrant literary and cultural ecosystem through active engagement with writers, artists, scholars, students and youth. He highlighted the Academy’s sustained efforts to promote literature in various languages of Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for creative expression, literary discourse and cultural exchange. He emphasized that such initiatives are integral to preserving and promoting the rich multilingual and multicultural heritage of the region.
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