Young Kashmiri writer publishes his maiden poetry work

KUPWARA — Hailing from a small town Trehgam, in frontier district of Kupwara in northern Kashmir, a young Kashmiri writer, Zakir Malik, has published his maiden poetry work and is currently working on two books with an aim to bring a change in the society through his poetry that targets social evils and calls for transforming the society towards good.

Zakir is emerging as a new face poetry from the volatile township known as Trehgam. Zakir is a son of a laborer, having no major resources but facilitating Zakir’s Post-Graduation in Political Science.

Braving all odds, Zakir has published his maiden poetry book titled as “The Wails of the Woods” and is currently working on two more that would be published soon.

Malik is a poet, translator, reviewer, writer, critic, and a social campaigner. He has co-authored more than 10 poetry anthologies and is a permanent member at Jammu and Kashmir Innovative Foundation for Transformation Society.

Malik said that his sole aim is to encourage youth to work for nation building, reconstruction of modern Islamic thought, pressing on people towards peace and societal transformation.

“I wish youth to work for revival of Islamic culture and traditions through my poetry,” he said, and adds, “The root causes of psychosis, growing depression among intellectual sects, economic disparity, insecurity. I want youth to heal these wounds through soothing words of poetry.”

Talking about his maiden poetry book, Malik said: “We live in a place where our voices incessantly go unheard. I desire my depressed people to progress in each and every field the world challenges us with. That’s the aim of my maiden book.”

He said the culture had always been peaceful. “I believe if we get rid of ignorance, and practically work in the field of education, and research, we can surprise the world with our talent and excellence,” he said, adding, “Our river should dump the arrogance and ignorance and display talent, which is hidden in every soul.”