SRINAGAR: Maharaj Krishen Raina, a civil engineer-turned-language activist who devoted decades to the preservation and promotion of the Kashmiri language, has passed away, marking the end of a significant chapter in the region’s literary and cultural efforts.
Born on February 10, 1948, in Chhattabal, Srinagar, Raina built a professional career in engineering, serving in various capacities across Jammu and Kashmir, including the Flood Control Department in Baramulla, the Uri Hydel Project, and the Upper Sindh Hydel Project. He migrated to Jammu in 1990 amid rising militancy and later moved to Mumbai in the mid-1990s, where he eventually settled.
It was in Vasai, Mumbai, that Raina’s enduring engagement with the Kashmiri language took institutional shape. Beginning in the mid-1990s, he initiated language-teaching efforts and went on to play a central role in Project Zaan, launched in collaboration with community organisations to promote the Kashmiri language and culture among younger generations. As convener of the project, he helped design structured learning initiatives, including classroom teaching and later online vocabulary sessions.
Over the years, Raina contributed extensively to Kashmiri literature as a writer, translator, editor, and archivist. He co-authored a basic reader for the language, developed instructional material for reading and writing Kashmiri in both Devanagari and Nastaliq scripts, and was associated with the development of the Kashmiri Arinimal software engine. His literary works include short story collections such as Tsók Módúr, Kénh Nón Kénh Són, and Silsilûvàr Kyah Kyah Vanû, as well as an English collection titled Pentachord and a poetry volume Pêvàn Chhúm Yàd. He also compiled a dictionary of uncommon Kashmiri words and phrases.
Raina’s contribution extended beyond authorship. He digitised and retyped a vast corpus of Kashmiri classics, amounting to thousands of pages, including Lalla Vaakh, folk tales, proverbs, and major literary works, making them accessible online. He also edited multiple community journals and e-publications dedicated to Kashmiri heritage and language, including Milchar, Aalav, and Praagaash.
Despite prolonged illness and chemotherapy in recent years, Raina remained actively engaged with students and researchers, frequently responding to language-related queries and continuing his mentorship informally through digital platforms.
His work earned recognition from several organisations, including cultural and literary bodies in New Delhi, for his sustained contribution to the preservation of the Kashmiri language and heritage.
Writers and members of the Kashmiri literary community remembered him as a “pillar” of the language movement, noting his role in inspiring new translators and learners. One such effort included the translation of his short story published in The Bombay Literary Magazine in August 2025, introducing his work to newer audiences.
Raina’s passing leaves behind a substantial legacy of literary work, digital archives, and educational initiatives that continue to support the study and revival of the Kashmiri language.
