SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s senior journalist, poet, and essayist, Ghulam Nabi Khayal, passed away at his residence in Rawalpora, Srinagar on Sunday morning. He was around 80.
The death of the Sahitya Academy award winner has widely been mourned by the Kashmir political class and people from all sections of society. They paid tributes to Khayal for his literary contributions.
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah expressed profound grief over the demise of Ghulam Nabi Khayal.
In his condolence message, Dr Farooq said, “The news of the passing of Khayal sahib has saddened me. He has left an indelible mark on the literary circles of Kashmir as an eminent writer, journalist, and translator. I extend my heartfelt condolences and sympathies to his bereaved family and numerous fans. May Almighty elevate his stations in Jannat.”
Omar Abdullah in his condolence statement said, “I am deeply grieved to learn about the demise of noted poet, essayist and Sahitya Academy Awardee Ghulam Nabi Khayal sahib. Kashmir’s illuminating star with a wisdom of past and present has set. This marks the end of a long life of service inspired by the ideals nobly conceived and actively pursued and will be remembered for generations to come. In his demise, Kashmir has lost the greatest of her sons, who through his manifold literary and poetic achievements raised her estimation across the country & the world. My deepest & sincerest sympathies go out to his family in their bereavement. Khayal sahib will continue to live through his work.”
Mourning the loss of the senior Kashmir journalist, Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) President Mehbooba Mufti expressed her heartfelt condolences.
In a statement issued to the press Mufti said that the sad demise of Khayal Sahab has left a void in the literary landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. “Ghulam Nabi Khayal Sahab was a veteran writer and journalist who had dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge and the promotion of the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir. His contributions to the literary and journalistic field were vast and significant, and he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of writers and journalists,” Mehbooba said.
Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari also extended his deepest condolences and heartfelt sorrow on the demise of Khayal. “Khayal Sahib was a son of the soil, whose remarkable contributions to the realms of literature and journalism stand unmatched. I am profoundly saddened by his demise. May his soul find eternal peace, and may Allah bestow His choicest blessings on his grave. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family,” Bukhari said.
Terming the demise of Ghulam Nabi Khayal as an irreparable loss to Kashmiri literature and language, CPI (M) leader M Y Tarigami said that Khayal was a prolific writer who authored over a dozen books. “Through his literary brilliance, he eloquently captured the complexities of the society. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends.”
Kashmir’s Chief Cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq paid tributes to Khayal for his academic, literary, journalistic, and social contributions.
In his condolence statement, Mirwaiz said the late Khayal Sahib had a close relationship Mirwaiz family. “Passing away has created a void in the literary, academic, and journalistic circles of Kashmir which can hardly be filled. Khayal Sahib’s services towards language and literature will always be remembered,” he added.
Senior Congress leader and CWC Member Ghulam Ahmad Mir termed the demise of Ghulam Nabi Khayal a great loss to Jammu and Kashmir.
“G N Khayal was an eminent writer and author of thirty books, who has greatly contributed to the society through his pen. His passing away is a great loss to the writer’s fraternity and the people of Jammu and Kashmir as well. He was a visionary and upright personality.” Mir offered heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s family and friends and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
Ghulam Nabi Khayal has authored more than 30 books and has worked for almost every major newspaper in India including the Illustrated Weekly of India, India Today, The Associated Press, and various broadcast radio stations including Voice of America.
In October 2015, Khayal returned his Sahitya Academy award – which was bestowed upon him in 1975, in protest against the mistreatment of minorities in India. Khayal had bagged the award for his book Gashik Minnaar (Luminaries) in 1975.
Khayal was arrested in 1958 as a newscaster in the Kashmir conspiracy case. He shot to prominence later for his famous poem, Yeh Chuh Choun Watan, Yeh Chuh Meoun Watan, which he read for the first time in a July 13 function in Srinagar.
