Rashid Nazki

Professor Rashid Nazki (born Abdul Rashid Nazki; 18 September 1931 6 January 2016), was a Kashmiri poet, teacher, author, critic and the founder of the Adbi Markaz Kamraz Jammu and Kashmir, a nonprofit literary organization of the Jammu and Kashmir state dedicated to promote Kashmiri language and literature.

Biography He earned his Master of Arts in Kashmiri from the University of Kashmir and subsequently became the first Kashmiri student to receive a PhD for his thesis on "Mystic Trends in Kashmiri and Urdu Poetry", which revolves around mysticism, Kashmiri and Urdu poetry.

In 1975, he served as an editor at the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art Culture & Languages until he was appointed as chief editor. In 1980, he served at Kashmir University until he retired as a professor in early 90s. In 1976, he served as a member of Bharatiya Jnanpith, convener Iqbal Centenary, Shaikul Aalam Centenary, and Lal Ded Centenary which are officially sponsored by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art Culture and Languages. In the later years of his career, he was appointed as in-charge seminars and Member Consultative Committee of Kashmir University's post-graduate department.

He translated Allama Iqbal's Asrar-i-Khudi, Javid Nama, Zabur-i-Ajam, Bali-Jabriel, Payam-i-Mashriq, Qaseeda Burda, and Kuliyat-i-Nadim of Abdul Ahmad Nadim. He is buried in Bandipora next to his two sons and wife.

Awards and honours