21-year-old youth from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district is on a mission to create an awakening among the young generation to revive the dying Kashmiri language. Though the journey is in its nascent stage, he is hopeful of creating an impact through his writing.
Touqeer Ashraf, hailing from Pulwama’s Goosu area, has pursued a Bachelor of Science (B Sc) from Government Degree College (Boys) Pulwama. Now he is a budding Sufi poet writing in Kashmiri.
“I have been writing for the last three years. However, I recently started writing Kashmiri Sufi poetry. And it gave me immense satisfaction. I feel much more confident and relaxed,” Touqeer told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
In October 2021, Touqeer started a page on Instagram under the name ‘Keashur Praw’ and began sharing Kashmiri Sufi kalaam (writings) on the platform. The literal meaning of the term ‘Keashur Praw’, Touqeer said, is the ‘enlightenment of Kashmiri language’.
“Within a short span of time, I received a good response from people,” he said.
“First I used to upload my own Kashmiri poetry on the page. Then one fine day, an inner voice prompted me to write Sufi poetry as well,” he added.
Touqeer draws inspiration for his Sufi poetry from Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA), popularly known as Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA). “He (Sheikh-ul-Alam) is my spiritual guide. His poetry has always helped and guided me,” he remarked. “With his guidance, I feel moving forward in the right direction.”—(KNO)