Kargil: Two Days District Level Multilingual Mushaira, Afsana Nigari Sessions organized by the Ladakh Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (LAACL), Kargil under the theme Losar-e-Dus-Dang concluded successfully at the Academy Hall, Kargil here Wednesday.
The literary session on the second day was chaired by senior Purgi/Balti poet Aga Syed Hadi Shah Aga while senior Balti poet/writer and Padma Shri Akhone Asgar Ali Basharat along with Special for Cultural Activities, Kargil Muhammad Ali Tak and senior Balti poet Akhone Safdar Ali Safdar also sat in the presidium.
The literary event which continued with great enthusiasm and vibrant participation on the second day witnessed poetry and short story presentations by poets and short story writers including Aga Syed Hadi Shah Aga (Purgi poet), Akhone Safdar Ali Safdar (Balti poet), Mohd Ali Ashoor (Balti poet), Tsewang Gailson (Broqskat Dardi poet), Ghulam Nabi Skith (Balti poet), Mohd Hussain Fayaz (Purgi poet), Arif Hussain Ladakhi (Sheena Dardi poet), Sibte Hassan Kaleem (Balti poet), Haji Ghulam Qadir Zaki (Sheena Dardi poet), Haji Ghulam Murtaza Advocate (Urdu poet), Prof. Jawad Jalib (Purgi poet), Nissar Hussain Nissar (Purgi poet) , Dr. Mukhtar Zahid Badgami (Sheena Dardi poet), Prof. Nasir-ud-Din Khafi (Purgi poet), Mohd Abbas Zameer (Purgi Afsana Nigar), Mohd Ilyas Matvi (Urdu Afsana Nigar), Mohd Yaseen Ansari (Sheena Dardi poet) and Aga Syed Kazim (Purgi poet) (Balti).
During the session, poets and writers highlighted a wide range of themes including cultural identity, social realities, humor, satire, spirituality, climate change, human existence, and contemporary challenges.
Short stories (Afsanas) explored supernatural elements, human struggle, hope, and the triumph of life over death, while several poets expressed concern that culture today often survives more in books than in real life.
Poetry on weather, nature, new year, global warming, and moral values deeply resonated with the audience.
Meanwhile, Rgyang-Lu folk songs presented by famous Purgi folk singer Fida Hussain Bajopa Silmoo narrated the history of Ladakh, bravery of kings, love, social issues, and the various stages of human life from youth to old age, reflecting regret, reflection, and lamentation.
Earlier, Special Officer Cultural Activities, Muhammad Ali Tak, delivered the welcome address, warmly welcoming all guests, poets, and audience members. He stated that Losar-e-Dus-Dang is not merely a festival but a symbol of unity, cultural continuity, and shared heritage.
He emphasized the importance of folk traditions such as Rgyang-Lu as an integral part of Ladakh’s culture and informed that the Academy is working towards documenting and publishing literary works presented in the vernacular languages during various literary events in printed form.
The programme concluded with a Sadarati Khutba delivered by Sadre-e-Majlis, Aga Syed Hadi Shah Aga, who underscored the vital importance of learning, using, and preserving one’s mother tongue and local dialects as a means of safeguarding cultural identity.
He urged the younger generation to remain rooted in their linguistic heritage, emphasizing that language is the foundation of collective memory and cultural continuity.
Addressing the officers of LAACL Kargil, he appealed for the organization of similar literary initiatives in schools, colleges, and universities, so as to introduce and sensitize young minds to the vast and enriching realm of creativity in vernacular languages, thereby strengthening their connection with their roots.
He lauded the enduring role of poets, writers, and the media in preserving and promoting cultural values, and remarked that literature has the power to help society rediscover its “lost laughter.”
On the occasion, writers and poets also proposed that LAACL Kargil organize dedicated literary gatherings to commemorate and celebrate the rich literary contributions of late local writers and poets, ensuring that their legacy continues to inspire future generations.
A vote of thanks was proposed by Sh. Tsewang Rigzin, who appealed to the public to celebrate Losar-e-Dus-Dang collectively, beyond divisions, and emphasized that culture unites people like a bouquet of flowers symbolizing peace and harmony. He expressed gratitude to the LAACL team, poets, writers, guests, and media persons for their valuable contributions and support.
Writers, poets, students from Government Degree College, Kargil and a large number of literary enthusiasts attended the event.
