LFB Announces 2025 Literary Awards: Farooq Nazki and Prof. Naseem Shifaye Honored for Contributions to Kashmiri Literature

The Literary Forum Bandipora (LFB) on Wednesday unveiled its esteemed annual literary awards for 2025, recognizing two distinguished poets and scholars in Kashmiri literature.

The late Farooq Nazki, a celebrated poet and former Director of Doordarshan, has been posthumously honored with the Nazki Award for his extraordinary contributions to Kashmiri literature. Additionally, Prof. Naseem Shifaye has been selected for the Charaag-i-Sukhan Award for her acclaimed book, Bu Vanyeth Zaan Kass.

The announcement was made following an extensive meeting and consultation session, presided over by Mir Tariq Rasool, Vice President of LFB and Chairman of the Awards Committee. Other prominent members in attendance included Mubashir Saleem Nazki, Dr. Adil Mahiuddin, Sufi Showkat, Rouf Ghayal, Dr. Bashrat Fakir, Dr. Asrar, and Mansur Muntazir.

Mir Tariq Rasool emphasized that both awardees were selected after careful deliberation, noting that the decision came after receiving recommendations from various poets and writers. “The awards are based on merit, content, and significant contributions to literature,” Mir stated regarding the selection process.

He further mentioned that LFB has been recognizing eminent writers at award ceremonies held in Bandipora for the past decade. The awards were established in 2015 to honor the memory of Prof. Rashid Nazki, a prominent poet, academician, and the founder of Adbi Markaz Kamraz.

The Nazki Award, which honors poets and writers who have made outstanding contributions to literature, is named after Prof. Rashid Nazki. Meanwhile, the Charaag-i-Sukhan Award acknowledges poets and writers for exceptional publications in the previous year.

Mir also reflected on the illustrious recipients of the Nazki Award, including renowned figures such as Prof. G. R. Malik, Prof. Shafi Shouq, and Shahnaz Rashid.

The grand award ceremony will take place during the annual Nazki Day event, now scheduled for the last week of February 2025 in Bandipora. Originally planned for January 5, the event was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

“Nazki Day is an annual tradition to honor Prof. Rashid Nazki’s legacy and celebrate literary excellence. Invitations will be sent to the awardees or their representatives for the ceremony,” said Mir.

This year’s awards further reinforce Bandipora’s reputation as a center for literary and cultural growth, solidifying the district’s legacy and the Forum’s commitment to promoting Kashmiri literature.