Habba Khatun Memorial and Research Institute proposed for Srinagar

Kashmiris in India and across the global diaspora have launched the Habba Khatun Association, an initiative to establish a Habba Khatun Memorial-cum-Research Institute in Srinagar for preserving, researching and promoting Kashmir’s literary and cultural heritage.

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Named after and dedicated to the memory of Habba Khatun, the celebrated 16th-century Kashmiri poet, known as the Nightingale of Kashmir, whose verses of love, longing and separation remain an enduring part of Kashmir’s literary and oral tradition, the proposed Memorial-cum-Institute is envisioned as both a memorial and a living centre for scholarship, research and preservation and promotion of Kashmir’s rich culture

The initiative is being developed under my patronage ( Justice Markandey Katju, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India and former Chairman of the Press Council of India ).

Tasawar Jalali, a Kashmiri-American cybersecurity executive and Harvard alumnus based in California, serves as Chairman.

Vivek Tankha, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, and Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India, Aamir Rashid Khan, a descendant of the last independent King of Kashmir, Yusuf Shah Chak, who was deposed by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1586 and exiled to Bihar, and presently working as an academic scientist in Muscat Oman, Dr Hyder Zabet, who works in the Iranian Cultural House ( under the Iranian Embassy, New Delhi ), and Indervansh Chadha, a Sikh businessman of Jalandhar, who grew up and lived till the age of 32 in Kashmir, and speaks fluent Kashmiri, serve as Vice Chairmen.

Sadaf Mir, Principal of Imamia High School in Srinagar, is the General Secretary.

The proposed Institute will, apart from setting up a magnificent Memorial to Habba Khatun, include a research centre, specialised library, archive and museum devoted to Habba Khatun and the wider literary, historical and cultural heritage of Kashmir.

The Association aims to collect and preserve manuscripts, books, translations, photographs, recordings and oral histories while encouraging new scholarship on Habba Khatun and other important Kashmiri literary and historical figures, since regrettably often recorded documents are non-existent

https://kashmirtimes.com/opinion/comment-articles/habba-khatoon-the-vanished-queen-of-kashmir

A proposed museum will recognise distinguished Kashmiris from different periods and communities, reflecting the contributions of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and others to Kashmir’s shared rich cultural heritage.

Our plans also include the development of a digital archive, translation and publication of Kashmiri literature, and the organisation of research projects, lectures, conferences, exhibitions, poetry readings and music programmes.

The Institute also aims to encourage rigorous research into Habba Khatun’s life and times. While her importance to Kashmiri literature is well established, aspects of her biography have been transmitted through oral tradition and legend. Bringing together manuscripts, historical records and published scholarship could help researchers examine these questions more systematically.

A major objective of the initiative is to connect Kashmir’s cultural heritage with the Kashmiri global diaspora i.e. Kashmiris living throughout India and overseas, particularly younger generations seeking greater access to their language, literature and history.

The Association invites historians, researchers, writers, poets, artists, musicians, archivists, educators, students and members of the Kashmiri diaspora to participate. It also hopes to collaborate with universities, libraries, museums and cultural institutions in India and internationally.

Individuals and families possessing manuscripts, rare publications, photographs, correspondence, recordings or other historically significant material relating to Habba Khatun or Kashmir’s cultural history are encouraged to contact the Association.

The project will require funds and support for its establishment, collections, research programmes and long-term operations. I appeal to all, particularly Kashmiris, to donate generously to this noble cause. The Association will get itself registered as a society/trust and will ensure transparent accounting, responsible stewardship of contributions, and sound institutional governance as central to the initiative.

The project is non-political, non-sectarian and cultural in purpose, with the objective of creating a permanent central institution in Kashmir where Kashmir’s diverse literary and intellectual heritage can be documented, studied, preserved and shared with future generations.

Habba Khatun Association

Patron: Justice Markandey Katju — Former Judge, Supreme Court of India; former Chairman, Press Council of India

Chairman: Tasawar Jalali — Kashmiri-American cybersecurity executive and Harvard alumnus, California, USA

Vice Chairman: Vivek Tankha — Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, and Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India

Vice Chairman: Aamir Rashid Khan —Descendant of last independant Kashmiri king, Yusuf Shah Chak, who was deposed by Mughal Emperor Akbar and exiled to Bihar, and presently working as a scientific academic in Muscat, Oman

Vice Chairman—-Hyder Zabet of the Iranian Cultural House, New Delhi

Vice Chairman—–A Sikh businessman living in Jalandhar, Punjab, who spent the first 32 years of his life in Kashmir, and speaks fluent Kashmiri

General Secretary: Sadaf Mir — Principal, Imamia High School, Srinagar

I have previously outlined the concept and development of the initiative in my three articles: “The Habba Khatun Institute,” “Progress in Setting up the Habba Khatun Institute,” and “A New Discovery of India.”

https://radiancenews.com/the-habba-khatun-institute

https://radiancenews.com/progress-in-setting-up-the-habba-khatun-institute

https://radiancenews.com/a-new-discovery-of-india

I appeal to all, particularly Kashmiris in India and abroad, to join and support this noble initiative.

The Habba Khatun Association welcomes scholars, cultural organisations, members of the Kashmiri diaspora and others interested in contributing research, historical material, professional expertise, institutional collaboration or financial support to the project.

Any queries and suggestions may be made to the following :

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594706344459

The Facebook page will serve as the Association’s official public platform for project updates, research initiatives, membership information, events and future announcements.

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Preview YouTube video The Fascinating Story of Habba Khatun: A Tale That Will Take Your Breath Away!Preview YouTube video The Fascinating Story of Habba Khatun: A Tale That Will Take Your Breath Away!