Remembering Kashmiri Lal Zakir: A Voice of Pain and Humanity

New Delhi, April 7: Kashmiri Lal Zakir was a literary figure who articulated the pain of Kashmir, the wounds of partition, and societal inequalities through his writing. Transitioning from a poet to a writer, Zakir’s works encompass not only stories but also the social, political, and human suffering of his time, compelling readers to reflect deeply.

Born on April 7, 1919, in the village of Begabanian in West Punjab, now in Pakistan, Zakir witnessed the horrors of partition firsthand. He received his early education in Poonch and Srinagar before earning his BA and MA degrees from Punjab University. He dedicated his life to writing.

His writings were imbued with a profound consciousness for social reform. Zakir authored nearly 80 books on various subjects, including adult education, labor education, environmental issues, and population control. His notable works include “A Night in Khajuraho,” “Sun on the Palm,” “The Thumbprint,” “Last Moments of a Sad Evening,” and “Three Stories by Zakir.” He began his literary journey with poetry, later expanding into stories and plays.

The violence that erupted in Kashmir post-partition and the valley’s tragic state deeply affected him. He encapsulated this anguish in many of his works. Stories like “When Kashmir Was Burning,” “Blood Is Still Blood,” and “A Lost Girl” reflect this pain. His writing also expresses deep concerns about social issues such as dowry, bonded labor, women’s empowerment, and national unity.

Zakir often remarked that had he not become a writer, he would have joined the army to serve the nation.

Beyond writing, he actively contributed to society. He served as the secretary of the Haryana Urdu Academy and was involved in various government programs. He adopted a slum in Chandigarh to promote adult education and assisted unemployed youth with career guidance and self-reliance. He also presided over the “Shramik Vidyapeeth,” where he provided employment-related support to young people.

For his literary and social contributions, Zakir received numerous accolades. He was honored with the Ghalib Award in 1986, the National Nehru Education Award in 1991, and the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2006. The Haryana government also recognized his efforts. Many of his books have been translated into Hindi, Urdu, English, and several foreign languages.

Zakir passed away on August 31, 2016, at the age of 97. His works continue to connect readers with the realities of Kashmir, the pain of partition, and the essence of human emotions.