Srinagar, Sept 26 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) on Saturday released Unseen Voice, a collection of English poems by noted writer, theatre personality and filmmaker Ali Emran, at an impressive function held at the Academy’s Seminar Hall, Srinagar.
The programme was attended by a distinguished gathering of artists, writers, poets, scholars, academicians and literary and cultural enthusiasts from across the Valley. Muneer-ul Islam (IAS), Secretary, Department of Information, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, was the Chief Guest, while Mohammad Amin Bhat, distinguished writer, broadcaster and theatre personality, was the Guest of Honour. Ali Emran, the poet, Dr Abid Ahmad, Editor, JKAACL, and noted writer Iftikhar Imran were also part of the presidium.
Speaking on the occasion, Muneer-ul Islam described Unseen Voice as a significant contribution to contemporary literature.
He observed that the collection embodies a distinctive poetic voice shaped by the Kashmiri Sufi aesthetic and vision.
Referring to the poet’s engagement with the cultural memory and Sufi ethos of Kashmir, he said that the poems effectively evoke the spiritual and cultural richness of the region.
Mohammad Amin Bhat, in his address, described the book as an evocative collection that brings the essence of Kashmiri Sufi poetry into a modern poetic idiom, making it accessible to younger readers as well as those unfamiliar with Kashmir’s Sufi cultural tradition.
He observed that, through refined poetic expression, Ali Emran preserves the cultural and mystical spirit of Kashmir while connecting it with universal human experiences.
The book was formally reviewed by noted academic and literary critic Iftikhar Imran, who described Unseen Voice as a valuable addition to the growing corpus of Indian English literature.
He observed that the collection presents the spiritual ethos of Kashmir through the medium of English and appreciated the poet’s effort to introduce the region’s Sufi cultural heritage to younger generations.
Earlier, welcoming the guests and participants, Dr Abid Ahmad outlined the Academy’s role in nurturing a vibrant literary and cultural ecosystem through sustained engagement with writers, artists, scholars, students and youth.
He highlighted the Academy’s continuing efforts to promote literature and the arts by creating meaningful opportunities for creative expression, literary discourse and cultural exchange.
The programme witnessed the participation of several prominent literary and cultural personalities, including Shabir Mujahid, Shamshad Kralwari, Manoj Pandita, Hussain Khan, G. M. Bhat, Altaf Hussain, Shaikh Haneef, Yusuf Shaheen, Dilly Bhat, Gul Javed and Ashfaq Lone, among others.
Dr Abid Ahmad conducted the proceedings of the programme and also presented the formal vote of thanks.
He expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, the poet, literary personalities, scholars and members of the literary and cultural fraternity for their presence and support. (JKNS)