Bidaad by zareef ahmad zareef
Zareef Ahmad Zareef (born 17 April 1943) is a Kashmiri poet, writer, social activist and environmentalist. He is best known for his satirical poetry and efforts to highlight various social and political problems. He has been working for the preservation of the environment, culture and heritage of Kashmir.
Contents
Sheen poem by zareef ahmad zareef
Early life and education
Zareef Ahmed Zareef was born as Zareef Ahmed Shah in 1943 in the downtown area of Srinagar(aali kadal) to Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah and Mokhta Begum. His father owned an embroidery workshop, which was also a hub for hakeems, Sufis, poets, traders, and merchants, hence he was brought up in an environment that was full of wisdom and philosophy, which deeply influenced his personality and character. From childhood, he held the Sufi saint Khawja Habibullah Khatar in great esteem and visits his mausoleum regularly to pay obeisance. Zareef received his education from Islamia High School, Rajori Kadal. Being an enthusiast – a regular face in seminars, symposiums, debates and annual functions throughout his formative years. Receiving guidance from his teachers and noted writers Rehman Rahi and Satar Ahmed Shahid, eventually he found himself uttering the lines expressing personal feelings and thoughts on the stage. He soon developed the ambition to become a writer.
Government Service
In 1968, Zareef was appointed as scriptwriter in the Department of Information. Later he completed his honors degree in Kashmiri. While serving in the cultural unit of Department of Information he remained active in organising public shows, dramas, mushairas and features on an unparalleled scale in various parts of the state. His writings were instrumental in evoking greater response from the public which helped the department in achieving various goals. He retired from the department as assistant cultural officer.
Writing
Started public life as a poet and writer in 1969; Kashmiri being the medium. Style of writing remained mainly apprehensive and humorous. Thrust of the poetry has been to portray the social evils and exterminate them by arousing public consciousness. Imbalances in the society, plight of the weaker sections and environmental filth have remained the main theme of the writings without involving politics and slogan mongering.
Influence
It was Ghulam Ahmed Mir Abid, an unknown writer, who showed him to use his own imaginative powers and fine tuned his writing aptitude while Hakeeem Manzoor an eminent Urdu writer introduced him to the great beauty of verse and the profoundness of the literature.
Published works
Zareef has, so far, authored four (4) books:
Other activities
After retirement from the government service, Zareef’s services have been utilized in the numerous public, social and literary fields. He has been selected/chosen as:-
Awards and appreciation
Zareef has been awarded and appreciated for his works in different social, cultural, environmental and literary fields by various associations and organizations:
and various other awards from different govt. and non-govt. institutions like J&K Yateem foundation, Help Poor Voluntary Trust, department of Horticulture Kashmir, etc. He was also given the Green Citizen Award in 2011 by Rahim Greens (member of International association for voluntary effort) for his contribution in protecting the environment of kashmir.