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Aatash is a role model in Kashmir and the rest of the country, for his extraordinary creative achievements. In a contemporary era, where reading, writing and research has been taken over by the frivolous and ephemeral obsessions of the digital world, his literary and academic contribution remains alive as a testimony of brilliance, diligence, and commitment to knowledge
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“Jayakanthan has focused on the downtrodden people of South India. His works highlight the life and aspirations of the poor,” said Ghulam Nabi Pandith, known by his pen name, Ghulam Nabi Aatash, whose book has been selected for the annual Translation Prize for the 2024 Sahitya Akademi Award. This novel deals with socio-religious aspects of people’s life.
He is popularly known as Ghulam Nabi Aatash; his pen name has been selected for the Sahitya Akademi Award 2024, for the translation of the well-known Tamil writer Jayakanthan’s novel, Oru Manidhan Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam. It is about the life of poor people in South India. The book’s title in Kashmiri is Akh Insaan, Akh Gharre, akh Duniya (A Man, A Home, A World). Aatash is also the recipient of the prestigious Jnanpith Award in 2002, and Padma Bhushan in 2009.
Born in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, Jayakanthan (April 24, 1934 to April 25, 2015) is well-known for his literary works, many of which have been translated into different languages. The film, Unnai Pol Oruvan, based on his novel of the same name, was the first Tamil film to receive the President’s Award (1965). Jayakanthan recievied the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972 for his novel, Sila Nerangalil sila Manithargal.
The falling health of Aatash has not deterred his passion for literature. Despite his poor eyesight, he continues to produce great literary landmarks. He has at least 10 manuscripts on hold, yet to be published. Out of the 10, two books are in Urdu, and eight in Kashmiri. Till date, his 80 published works include poetry collections, research and criticism, folklore, children’s literature, translations, and monographs.
He received the Sahitya Akademi Award for Kashmiri language in 2008, and Bal Sahitya Puraskar by Sahitya Akademi in 2011, for children’s literature. He received the international literary prize, the famous Soviet Land Nehru Award in 1981.
The first time he received an award was the Best Book Award from the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, in 1979, when he was 30, for his Kashmiri poetry collection, Zool Amaaran Hund (Illumination of my Wishes). He has been bestowed the Best Book Award from the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for criticism and research in Kashmiri language — Sarmaaye the Saam. So far he is a recipient of at least 19 awards from literary and academic institutions and several felicitations from literary organizations and educational institutes.
His notable books include translations of travelogues on Kashmir written by foreigners. At least ten such books have been included in Kashmir ghair mulky sayaahoon kay safar naamon mein (Kashmir in the travelogues of foreign travelers), and a publication in the English language, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Kashmir.
As a school teacher, he nurtured his literary activities along the banks of the Lidder stream flowing from the upper reaches of Pahalgam in South Kashmir, and then flowing into river Jhelum. He retired as a Lecturer in higher secondary school, 18 years back.
Aatash has taught in different schools for more than three decades during which he also worked as Zonal Coordinator of SSA, District Coordinator of Cultural Education Wing, and Provincial Level Teacher Trainer/Resource Person. He has assisted PhD scholars and researchers in completing their academic assignments. He was a member of the expert committee constituted by the J&K Board of School Education for deciding the syllabus and textbooks in Kashmiri language, and played a vital role in conceiving, compiling and drafting the textbooks. Besides, he has worked on the Revision Committee of Urdu textbooks.
Indeed, Aatash is a role model in Kashmir and the rest of the country, for his extraordinary creative achievements. In a contemporary era, where reading, writing and research has been taken over by the frivolous and ephemeral obsessions of the digital world, his literary and academic contribution remains alive as a testimony of brilliance, diligence, and commitment to knowledge.