A seminar on life and work of veteran Gojri poet and scholar Israel Asar was held at Lamberi here to commemorate his 8th death anniversary.Organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in collaboration with Gojri Bazam-e-Adab Kalakote, the event was inaugurated by Vice-Chairman J&K Advisory Board for Development of Gujjas and Bakerwals, Choudhary Zaffar Khatana.Noted tribal researcher Dr Javaid Rahi, prominent Gojri writer Choudhary Hassan Parwaz, besides other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Khatana said that Asar was a legend who contributed selflessly for promotion and propagation of Gojri language and Gujjar culture. He was a poet of 'tribal sensibilities' and 'nomadic dogma' whose writings would prove a significant tool to understand the "tribal psyche viz-a-viz Gujjar mindset. He said he will take up the matter with administration regarding renaming of the village Lamberi after the name of Asar Sahab as Asarabad or Asarnagar.
Dr Javaid Rahi, described Israel Asar as an icon of Gojri literature who worked tirelessly for recognition of Gujjar identity at the national level. He was poet of thoughts and contents and being a pioneer contributor of Gojri movement in the sub-continent, Asar had contributed about a dozen books of poetry and prose to language, he added.Ch. Hassan Parwaz in his speech termed Asar as a poet of nature adding that he was a great sympathizer of Gojri language and culture. Asar was the founding force in renaissances of Gojri movement in Northern India, he added.Noted Gojri writer and SDM Kalakote Ch Khalid Wafa, said that Asar was a movement in himself that is why he led whole Gujjar tribe of Jammu and Kashmir State in the field of literature.Four research papers covering contribution of Isreal Asar were read out during the programme.Besides, a Gojri Mushaira was also held which was presided over by Ch Nazir Bajran President of Anjuman Gojri Adab Kalakote.Earlier, a music programme was organised wherein local artists sung Ghazals, Si Harfis, Nazamas, Kafis and Geets of Asar.Others who spoke on the occasion included Noor Alam Assistant Commissioner Development Rajouri, Nawaz Chowdhary, Dy SP Nowshara, Aijaz Ch , Jan Mohammad Hakeem , Prof Rashid Qadri, Tariq Faheem, Parvaiz Akhter SOCA and others.The function was attended by a galaxy of writers, poets and intellectuals of different areas of twin border districts.