Adbi Markaz Kamraz (AMK), sometimes referred to as Adbee Markaz Kamraz Jammu and Kashmir (AMKJK), is the oldest and the largest cultural and literary organisation of the Jammu Jammu and Kashmir union territory focused on promoting and preserving Kashmiri culture, literature, art[2][3] and Kashmiri language in particular.[4]
Adbi Markaz Kamraz Jammu and Kashmir | |
.jpg) Official patch of the AMK | |
| Abbreviation | AMK |
|---|---|
| Founder | Rashid Nazki[1][a] |
| Type | Nonprofit cultural and literary organization |
| Legal status | Foundation |
| Purpose | Activism |
| Headquarters | Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir |
| Location | |
| Locations |
|
| Origins | Kashmir |
Region served | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Fields | Art, Culture, Literature, Languages |
Official languages | Kashmiri, Urdu, English |
President | Mohmmad Amin Bhat |
Secretary | Shabnum Tailgami |
Treasurer | Abdul Ahad Hajini |
Media Secretary | Aadil Ismail |
| Affiliations | Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages |
| Website | www |
Sponsored by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, it is headquartered in Baramullah district of the Kashmir Valley.[5] It consisting a group with centralized control of 22 to 24 registered literary and cultural organizations of the valley,[6][7] responsible for literary activities such as promote research, organise meetings and publish books that originally belongs to Kashmiri writers.[8][9]
In 2012, it organised Kashmir Literature Festival, a first-ever writers' festival in the history of Jammu and Kashmir focused on internationalize the Kashmiri language and addressing the issues responsible for its decline in the region. The festival is based on the Jaipur Literature Festival and Karachi Literature Festival to showcase the writers' work on international-level.[10] In 2012, it established one of its branch offices for literary activities in Delhi aimed at to highlight and promote Kashmiri language for Kashmiri speaking people in the National Capital Region (NCR).[11]
Base units
In 2015, the organisation proposed to establish its base units outside India and suggested to establish headquarters in London and New York aimed at promoting and safeguarding Kashmiri language outside the country.[12]
Activities
It has also been engaged with the state government for introducing regional languages in curriculum recognised by the Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education.[13]
Journals
It publishes biannual academic journal called Praave (also spelled Prav or Prave) which highlights the work of the organization and the people associated with literary activities.[14]
Composition
| # | Name | Designation | Term | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farooq Rafiabadi | President | 2017–present | [15] |
| 2 | Mir Tariq Rasool | Secretary | 2017–present | [16] |
| 3 | Abdul Ahad Hajini | Treasurer | — | [17] |
| 4 | Aadil Ismail | Media Secretary | 2015–present |
Awards established
It has established various literary awards such as Sharaf-e-Kamraz, Shehjar-e-Adab Lolab and Khilat-e-Hanfi Sopori, and while they are presented under the different categories, Sharaf-e-Kamraz according to the organization is one of the highest awards in the region.[18] Awards are decided and presented annually by the AMK jury upon writers and educationists in recognition of their contribution to the Kashmiri language and literature.[19][20]
Digitalisation of Kashmiri language initiatives
In year 2023 Adbi Markaz Kamraz launched online campaign for availabilty Kashmiri language translation option in translator Google Android Application and Nastaleeq Kashmiri language keyboard. Although another tech giant Microsoft already provided Kashmiri language translation option in its translator application but it is still in initial stage and needs more improvement.