JKAACL pays glowing tributes to Sarwanand Koul Premi, his son Verinder Koul on 32nd Shaheedi Diwas

Jammu, May 01, 2022: The 32nd death anniversary of veteran Freedom Fighter, well known Academician and noted Kashmiri Poet and Author, Shri Sarwanand Kaul “Premi” was observed today. It was on this day that he fell to the assassin’s bullets in Kashmir. Popularly known as “Premi”, he has authored more than two dozen books, which include translation of world famous Geetanjali, Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, Ramayan, Russian folk tales etc into Kashmiri. Started his career with “All India Spinners Association”, started by Mahatma Gandhi, got influenced by Gandhian Philosophy and was involved in Freedom Movement. He remained underground at the age of 17 during “Quit India Movement”, 1942. He took active part in “Quit Kashmir Movement 1946” and was arrested dozens of times. Shri Premi ceaselessly worked and profusely wrote for communal harmony, national integration and universal brotherhood.

At a glittering simple yet impressive function held to-day at K. L. Saigal Hall, glowing tributes were paid to this great son of Kashmir, who enriched Kashmir Language and Literature and promoted communal, amity through his writings, speakers re-called his great contribution in the field of social work.

A monograph on the life and works of Late Sarwanand Koul Premi, authored by well known Kashmiri writer Sh. G. N. Aatish and published by J & K Academy odf Art, Culture and Languages was released in the function.
Dr. Arvinder Singh Amn, Additional Secretary (J) while welcoming the Guests said that the Academy has been organising a befitting literary meet program on this towering personality of the State and will continue to do so in future.

Dr. Rattan Talashi read out an exhaustive paper in Kashmiri, highlighting Late Premi’s contribution to the Kashmiri Language and Literature in particular. He described his multi faced personality who spent his whole life in serving mankind as he was the follower of Gandhian philosophy with love for all and was a staunch secularist. He had enriched Kashmiri language and literature in particular. He will be remembered for all times to come. His life and teachings are inspiration for generations to come. He further said that Late Premi had dedicated his entire life to the Welfare of common people irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

Dr. Rattan Talashi gave an overview of his two highly acclaimed works i,e Urdu Version of Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and Kashur Ramayana and attributed them as the best and unique works. The language used in the two languages has been lucid, simple and understandable. The common reader can be benefitted to a great extent by the translations of these holy scriptures.

Sh. Upender Ambardar in his paper shed light on his pioneering role during freedom struggle. Author of more than 3 dozen Books Sarwanand Premi translated Tagore’s World-famous Gitanjali and Ramayana into Kashmiri and Bagvat Gita into Urdu. He also mentioned his close association with famous poet of Kashmir Mehjoor who would accompany Mehjoor to various high-level delegations. His paper highlighted the social, cultural and literary works of Late Premi and paid glowing tributes for his long service for social up-liftment, communal amity and borther-hood.

Various cross-section of the society including poets, writers and intellectuals had gathered to pay their tributes to the Late Premi and his son, who were Martyred by the terrorists in 1990 in Kashmir.

Dr. Deepali Wattal and her party enthralled the audience by singing a couple of bhajans of Late Sarwanand Koul Premi. The audience was mesmerized and spell bound during the presentation of these devotional songs. The audience was also enthralled with the Bhajan sung by Arvind Koul.

Professor Dr. Rattan Lal Hangloo who presided over the function threw light on life and teachings of Late Premi who had a great contribution in the Kashmiri ethos and history by translating Bhagvat Gita and Ramayana and also recalled his memories. He highlighted the social, cultural and Literary works of Premi and paid rich tributes for his long service for social upliftment, communal amity and brotherhood. He lauded the role of Premi in Cultural and Literary renaissance of modern Kashmir and recalled his contribution to Kashmiri Culture and Literature. Dr. Hangloo paid humble tribute to Late poet and said that left behind works of late Shri Premi should be published. He also said that it was a great loss to the State and Nation as the duo father and son where martyred in early 1990. Dr. Hangloo brought his memories of his student career to the knowledge of the audience that Late Premi was one of the most affectionate teachers he has ever seen as he used to have a personal repo with each of the student during his professional career.

Justice (Retd.) Sh. Brij Nath Bhat who was the Chief Guest on the function dealt with the multifaceted personality of Late Sarwanand Koul Premi and brought to the fore his services to the mankind during his entire life as he spent his whole life in National Integration and mutual brotherhood in Kashmir. He also said the Late Mr. Premi had love for all and hatred for none. He also spoke about his role as a Kashmiri social reformer, whose services for the social upliftment of common Kashmiri was highly commendable.

Sh. Prem Nath Shad, Sh. Vijay Wali, Sh. Satish Safeer and Sh. Engg. Vinod paid their poetical tribute to the Legendary poet Late Sarwanand Koul Premi by reciting their Shradanjli Poems.

On this occasion Dr. Rattan Lal Hangloo Veteran Historian and former V.C Allahabad University was felicitated and a set of books authored by Late Sh. Premi were presented to Sh. Sanjay Pandita, Dr. Deepali Wattal, Dr. Kudeep Sudeshi and Satish Safeer for their contribution to various fields.

As a mark of respect two minutes silence was observed and the speakers pledged to keep his message of peace friendship and religious tolerance going on. Rajinder Premi, the son of Late Premi along with other family members was also present on this occasion.

Engg. Vinod Pandita who also conducted the proceedings in his own artistic oratory described Late Premi as his Guru and he shed light on the teachings of his Literary Guru.

Vote of Thanks was presented by Sh. Rajinder Premi, the eldest son of Late Premi who also spoke on some other facets of his Late father whom he described as a multi facet personality and above all a human who had absolute love for humanity irrespective of Caste, Creed, Color, religion etc. Other family members of the Late poet were also present on this occasion to pay their humble homage.