Kashmiri Pandits' Association, Mumbai, India

Profile

Veerinder Patwari - A Prolific Writer 

by Dr. Hriday nath Patwari 

Believe it or not. Despite being a physical wreck, he is mentally alert as ever, producing volumes of literature. Today, at the age of 65 and suffering from incurable degenerative disease leading to almost total physical crippling, he is still active with his precious pen. Yet it is clear, creative iconoclastic Veerinder Patwari, the short story writer, plawright and author is an unsung person today, forgotten by his predecessors and peers.

Veerinder Patwari had unique privilege to enjoy his childhood in an atmosphere which was full of literary heritage. His father Prem Nath Patwari (Masroor Kashmiri) was well known for his masterly contribution to Kashmiri literature. Among his other books, 'vênû pòsh' has been in particular hailed by literary critics.

It goes to his credit, that he has been able to establish balance between his profession and literary persuit. Changing subjective and objective conditions of society precipitate social complications. Socially conscious and sensitive intellectuals observe whatsoever is happening around them. Veerinder, while keenly observing socio-economicpolitical crisis, has been able to create unique opportunity to express and interpret through his various characters and used his creative potential to good effect. At the same time, he has never compromised with basic essence of story writing.

He has been bold as well as frank enough and his characters reflect social realism.

Veerinder Patwari, although an engineer by profession (he retired as Executive Engineer in the year 1998) had passion for Urdu as well as Kashmiri language, and he started writing short stories at very early age. Till date, more than two hundred short stories and Urdu dramas have been published in reputed national and international magazines like Shair, Aajkal, Pehchan, Imkan, Rozen, Khushboo Ka Safar, Aiwan-e-Urdu, Harfzaar, Biswein Sadi, Qartas, Parvaz-e-Adab etc.

Various Kashmiri magazines and All India Radio have given prominence to his Kashmiri short stories. His published books include 'Firishte Khamosh Hain (1981), Akhri Din (1983), Doosri Kiran (1986) Bechain Lamhon Ka Tanha Safar (1988), Awaz Sargoshyun Ki (1994), Kab Bhor Hogi (2000), Ek Adhoori Kahani (2002) and Ufaq (2003). His books under publication are Much Awaited Dawn novelette on Kashmir in English, Alam (collection of short stories in Kashmiri) and Insaan (collection of dramas in Urdu).

His radio plays broadcast from various radio stations of All India Radio include Aur Dharti Sulagti Rahi, Anokhi Raat Nirali Subah, Hum Dono, Sham Se Sahar Tak, Hum, Zamin Jal Rahi hai and Aasman Ubal Raha hai. His TV plays/ Tele films telecasted include Maa, Ghar, Waqt-Waqt, Nai Kiran, Chhallawa, Mujhe Jeene Do, Dakshana, Koi Nahin Mera, Doosra Kinara, Babujee, Sailab, Pehchan, Ankahi etc. His tele serials in Kashmiri and Urdu include Taqdeer, Atur, Aavlun, Gati Manz Gaash, Anjaam, Hubba, Intezaar, Zakh, Duniya, Dard, Maseeha, Andhiyan and Sazza.

Veerinder Patwari has been script writer for cinemascope Eastman Colour feature film titled 'Mohabat Mohabat', documentary titled 'Irrigation in J&K' and documentary titled 'Awaz' on Kashmiri migrants. While Veerinder has been already felicitated by various prestigious literary organisations, yet it is astonishing that J&K government and State Cultural Academy has almost forgotten this son of the soil in respect of according any honour or award to him.

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