Srinagar, Oct 5: The J&K Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar on Sunday marked its 59th annual day with a Punjabi seminar, folk music performances and a mushaira in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages at Tagore Hall here.
The programme brought together Punjabi writers, poets, scholars, intellectuals and literary enthusiasts from across Jammu and Kashmir and focused on the promotion of Punjabi language, literature and cultural traditions.
JKAACL Secretary Harvinder Kour, Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar President R.S. Rajan, renowned Punjabi poet and writer Ajit Singh Mastana, and Popinder Singh Paras, editor of Sheeraza Punjabi, were among those present.
Kour appreciated the Sabha’s efforts to promote Punjabi language and literature and highlighted the Academy’s support for literary and cultural activities across Jammu and Kashmir. She stressed the need for collaborative efforts to strengthen the region’s literary traditions.
Chief Guest S. Jaipal Singh said the Punjabi Sahit Sabha and the Cultural Academy were making significant efforts to promote and develop Punjabi language and literature. He said such programmes give younger generations meaningful opportunities to remain connected with their language, literature and cultural heritage.
Additional Secretary JKAACL Lal Chand said the Academy was committed to organising Punjabi literary and cultural programmes regularly, including in far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir, to take the region’s Punjabi literary and cultural traditions to wider sections of society.
Rajan presented an overview of the Sabha’s activities and achievements during the year and thanked JKAACL for its support in organising the annual event.
Mastana said literary gatherings provided a common platform for writers, poets and cultural practitioners while helping preserve Punjabi language, literary traditions and cultural heritage across generations.
Paras also appreciated the Academy’s cooperation, saying such programmes provide opportunities for writers, poets, artists and young literary enthusiasts and encourage wider participation in Punjabi cultural activities.
The second session featured a Punjabi folk culture programme, with folk artists from the Jammu division presenting traditional Punjabi music. Master Kuldeep Sharma and his party performed before the audience.
The cultural programme was followed by a Punjabi mushaira featuring poets from the Kashmir division. Noted Punjabi poet, writer and literary personality Dr. Baljit Singh Raina also participated.
Raina spoke about the richness and evolving character of Punjabi poetry and its connection with the social and cultural experiences of people. He said poetry preserves the emotional and cultural memory of society while giving expression to contemporary realities. He also recited his poetry, which was warmly received by the audience.
The programme concluded with appreciation from members of the literary fraternity for the joint efforts of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar and JKAACL in promoting Punjabi language, literature and cultural heritage in Jammu and Kashmir.
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