Two day programme on Nund Reshi RA organized by Indra Gandhi National Centre for Arts, J&K

Kulgam: A two day programme on Nund Reshi(RA), to show case the mystic tradition of sufism through music and symposium, was organized on 15th and 16th March-2023 by Indra Gandhi National Centre for Arts, J&K in collaboration with AKWO foundation Kulgam at Aharbal Main Park and Govt Degree College Kulgam. On day first a sufiana mahfil on Shruk (Nund Reshi’s sayings) was held at Aharbal. The event was itself a historic one as this was the first time when a spiritual gathering was organized to remember the mystic traditions of a great sufi saint of Kashmir whose sayings are reverberating in the hearts of every kashmiri. The event started in a traditional manner with the burning of izband (harmala) in a Kangiri to spread the aura of spiritual fragrance. The chairperson AKWO foundation Kulgam Mr Uwais Amin formally welcomed the participants. The session bloomed with two famous musical bands of artistic performance. In first part Mohd Yousuf Beigh and Saznavaz performed Shruks in a pure sufina in accordance with special Muqams of Mousiqui. The band was also consisting female performers providing uniqueness to this event. In second part Mehnaz Sangeet Group performed Chakri and Rouh. This sufi musical event of Shruks was attended by the District Development Commissioner Kulgam Dr Bilal Mohiuddin as Chief Guest accompanying with other administrative officers. The Khadimans (special devotees) of the different shrines of Nund ReshiRA also attended the event and were felicitated by organizers with kashmiri shawls. The event was also attended by locals, students of Degree College Kulgam, teachers & civil society members of the District Kulgam. The proceedings of this event started at 1:00 pm and concluded at 5:00 pm.

On the second day, a symposium on “Life and Teachings of Nund ReshiRA” was held in the Seminar Hall of Govt Degree College Kulgam. A total of five speakers from different parts of valley presented their papers on different dimensions of life and teaching of Nund ReshiRA. The programme started at 11:00 am with recitation of Shruk by Bisma Jan. Dr Jahangeer Iqbal, Head Department of Persian, University of Kashmir spoke on the life of Nund Reshi. Dr Shahida Shabnam, Assistant Prof. Govt. Degree College Dangiwacha, Baramullah presented a paper on “Nund Reshi: life and art of living”. The 3rd paper on “Nund Reshi and his society” was presented by Dr Nusrat Jan, Assistant Prof. Kashmiri, Govt. Degree College for Women M.A Road, Srinagar. During the proceedings of programme Dr Nisar Ahmad Bhat, Assistant Professor Kashmiri, Govt Degree College Kulgam spoke on the topic “Nund Reshi in the pursuit of spirituality”. The renowned writer of the valley Yousuf Jahangeer presented a detailed paper on Nund Reshi as a nature lover. The session was attended by different scholars, language activists, devotees of Nund Reshi, Professors and the students of the college. The presidential remarks were presented by Principal Degree College Kulgam, Prof (Dr) Manzoor Ahmad Lone who was the chief guest on the occasion. The mementoes were distributed among the speakers as a token of love and gratitude. The whole proceedings of the two day programme was conducted by Dr Nisar Ahmad Bhat. The session concluded with formal vote of thanks by Dr Hashim Iqbal Assistant Professor and Head Department of History Degree College Kulgam.