Ishfaq Tantry
SRINAGAR: In Kashmir, where separatist leaders and civil society groups recently opposed a musical performance by internationally acclaimed conductor Zubin Mehta, the week ahead is full of activity for them, at least on the literary and cultural front.
A book by Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and a music album “to remember” him are slated for release on September 17 and 21, respectively, in Srinagar.
Afzal Guru, hailing from Jageer village of Baramulla district in north Kashmir, was executed on February 9 this year in Tihar Jail and buried there. The book titled, ‘Ahl-e-Imaan Kay Naam Afzal Guru Ka Aakhiri Paigaam” (The Last Message of Afzal Guru for the Faithful), is being released in Srinagar on September 17 by the National Front headed by Naeem Khan.
The book is based on the “original writings” of Afzal, which he penned during his stay in Tihar Jail, Naeem Khan told The Tribune.
“The 94-page book is a composition of Guru’s writings, which we are publishing with the consent of his family members,” Khan said, adding Afzal’s writings have been used in the book “unedited”.
Apart from the book, a music album is also planned for release “in memory” of Afzal Guru on the weekend by the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society and organisers of the parallel concert, “Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir”, who recently opposed the musical performance by Zubin Mehta at the Shalimar Garden in Srinagar.
The producers of the musical album say it is a “tribute” to Afzal, whose remains were not handed over by the jail authorities to his family for burial. The album, organisers say, was planned in February-end and completed recently.
“We are planning to release the music album on World Peace Day on September 21,” said Khurram Parvez, spokesperson for Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir, who is also the convener of the Coalition of Civil Society. The music album titled “Kharaaj-e-Aqeedat” (Tribute) comprises eight songs, penned, composed and sung by “young and upcoming poets and artists”, in Kashmiri and Urdu. The album is not for commercial purpose and will be available in an audio-video format, free of cost on the Internet, Khurram said. The organisers are, however, tight-lipped about divulging the credits, fearing a backlash by security agencies against the artists. “We will give limited credits. But the music album is essentially an artistic tribute to a person, whom the authorities would have loved to be forgotten by the people,” Khurram said.
(tns)
