Srinagar, Nov 14 (KNS): In a first-of-its-kind initiative, eminent artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers, actors and theatre personalities from across the country converged here on Saturday for the "AAWAAZ – The Collective Voice of Artists" convention, demanding a comprehensive welfare policy, industrial status for the creative sector and protection of Jammu and Kashmir's cultural identity.
The landmark convention, organised by The Kashmir Music Club Srinagar in collaboration with the daily newspaper Good Morning Kashmir, saw delegates from Delhi, Jammu and other parts of the country deliberate on the challenges confronting the artistic fraternity and the future of the region's creative industries.
The event opened with the release of a special tribute song titled "AAWAAZ", dedicated to prominent departed artists, writers and musicians of Jammu and Kashmir. The presentation left many attendees visibly emotional, with several in tears.
In his inaugural address, renowned artist and Chairman of The Kashmir Music Club Srinagar, Waheed Jeelani, emphasised the need for unity, dignity and collective action for the artistic community. Veteran cultural personality, writer and theatre practitioner Mohammad Amin Bhat outlined the vision and objectives behind the convention.
The first technical session, "Artists in Crisis: Who Will Take the Responsibility?", was moderated by television anchor Qazi Mohammad Ammar and featured panellists Mehmeet Syed, Mushtaq Ali Ahmad Khan, Zameer Ashai, Shahid Lateef and Gulzar Ahmad Ganai.
The session was chaired by Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to the Chief Minister, who described artists as the "real custodians of our language, art and culture" and assured the fraternity of every possible support.
The second session, "From Kashmir to the World: Building Our Own Creative Industry", moderated by actor-director-producer Umar Imtiyaz, featured Kapil Mattoo, Mir Sarwar, Ayash Arif and Shafqat Habib. Chaired by Waheed ur Rahman Para, MLA Pulwama, the discussion highlighted the need to accord industrial status to the creative sector to unlock its economic potential and generate wider opportunities for artists and creative professionals.
The third session, "Our Language, Our Identity, Our Culture", moderated by Mohammad Amin Bhat, featured Naseem Shifai, Rukhsana Jabeen, Bashir Aarif and Dr Shaista Ahmad. Chaired by Farooq Ahmad Shah, MLA Gulmarg, the session focused on safeguarding regional languages, cultural identity and traditional art forms. The Chair extended his support for similar endeavours in the future.
Ashiq Peerzada, Naseer Ganai and Bhawani Bashir also contributed their observations.
The concluding session witnessed the presentation and unanimous adoption of a comprehensive Collective Resolution-cum-Declaration, incorporating key recommendations on artists' welfare, institutional accountability, development of the creative industry, cultural preservation and equitable opportunities for local talent.
Prominent personalities, including Shehzad Rasool, Showkat Shafi and Talha Jahangir, along with other participants, shared their views on the deliberations and future course of action.
A significant outcome of the convention was the unanimous proposal to constitute a representative Core Group of the artistic fraternity to pursue the issues raised and engage with the Government and concerned institutions for meaningful policy interventions and their implementation.
In his concluding remarks, Waheed Jeelani presented a vote of thanks, acknowledging the participation and contributions of all delegates, chairpersons, moderators, panellists, observers and guests.
The organisers stated that AAWAAZ is envisioned not as a one-day event but as a sustained collective platform for the dignity, welfare, rights and future of artists.
The convention reaffirmed that preserving art, language and culture is a shared responsibility of the Government, institutions and society.
The artistic fraternity expressed its sincere gratitude to Javaid Ahmad Shah, Editor-in-Chief of Good Morning Kashmir, for his unconditional support and contribution towards making the initiative possible.
The event was supported by Cemtac Cements, Kanwal Foods, Lone Star Football Academy, Qaraar and Studio Kashmir. (KNS)
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