Vomedh’s webinar on exodus day about literature in exile invokes keen interest and engagement on digital platforms

Vomedh, a reputed socio-cultural organisation in JK UT organized a webinar in commemoration of the Kashmiri Pandits exodus day on 19th January 2022, tracing the contribution of Kashmiri Pandits to literature and language during exile to keep their connection with roots alive. The Webinar titled “Literature in exile” was attended by a distinguished panel of speakers – Dr. Agnishekher, eminent Hindi poet, writer, translator, and thinker; Kshma Kaul, imminent Hindi poet, writer, author and diary writer; Avtar Mota, eminent English writer, blogger, poet and art critic and Brij Nath Betab, eminent Kashmiri poet and broadcaster. It was moderated by senior cultural activist and presenter Bharti Kaul. The webinar was broadcast live simultaneously on three social media channels; Facebook pages of Vomedh and TRN and YouTube channel of TRN. TRN (The Right News), a prominent news and media portal of J&K was the media partner for the event. It is pertinent to mention here that given the fact that multiple programs across the globe were running around the same time to commemorate the exodus day, this webinar still got viewership in thousands and intense engagement. This kind of engagement can be attributed to the fact that the dimension of literature and language was explored and discussed for the first time in context of the exodus, which struck the chord with audience.

Bharti Kaul started the couplet of eminent poet, writer Arzan Dev Majboor in Kashmiri, ” Yeli yaad pyawan sonehaer watan, hani hani chum layan teer matyo, hyna aamate aes girdabas manz, kami shapan kaer aes geer matyo”. (Yearning for motherland, pangs of separation asking what curse befell on us to be in such pitiable condition)

Dr. Agnishekhar, eminent Hindi poet, thinker, writer translator lauded the writers who wrote in exile and gave the figure of 49 poems he has translated from Kashmiri to Hindi in his book ” Hum Jalaywatan” Translation is a very important part of literature as it reaches to the people at large as vast majority of people read Hindi. He named Literature in exile as Resistance Literature, which means peaceful resistance to the events that took place in the shape of exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. In exile poets, writers, thinkers have published 498 books. The highest in the history of JK UT. Agni Shekhar has written an epic by the name Neel Gatha which is a valuable contribution for the new generation who don’t have time to read historical and religious books. Neel Gatha can be used as a reference book.

Kshma kaul talked about her much  acclaimed novel Dardpur, which is considered a very important work. Murti Bhanjan, further compliments the effort. Her hearth and heritage left behind, how the homemaker had to start from scratch to rebuild and relocate herself and the siblings, elders of family, whose responsibility lay on her shoulders day in and day out had to support her husband too. The poet and thinker in her gave vent to all such feelings through her pen. She is hopeful of creating consciousness among all for being fair and truthful.

Avta Mota spoke elaborately on the subject of Exodus exile and migration. To be in exile means to be forced away from one’s home and unable to return. The reason could be to escape death, suppression and torture for religious or political beliefs. The state may also enforce it as people may be in exile for legal or other reasons. People may be forced to stay in exile  sometimes due to suppressive dictatorship. Sometimes due to violence. In the ancient Roman law it was used as a capital punishment alternative to death; Jalaa e wattan, Des nikala. It is beginning of pain anguish and sorrow. From a settled life a person moves to unsettlement. From happiness, he moves to sorrow.

Brij Nath Betab, eminent Kashmiri poet too spoke about uprooting of Kashmiri Pandits. He laid emphasis on a medium of voice  not being available to Kashmiri Pandits in exile. On the national level, the famous poet Gulzar has included his poetry in Anthology of Indian poetry, Title, “A poem a day”. Being truthful to oneself while writing is what all the writers said in one voice.

Regards

Bharti Kaul

Vice President (Vomedh)