Launch of the Habba Khatoon Research Institute in Srinagar: A significant step towards preserving Kashmir's cultural heritage.
Justice Markandey Katju has written extensively on the proposed establishment of the Habba Khatoon Memorial and Institute (HKMI) in Srinagar, the preservation of Kashmir's history and culture, and the literary legacy of Habba Khatoon. The inaugural meeting of the Habba Khatoon Research Institute (HKRI) featured discussions on Kashmiri history, literature, the Sufi-Rishi tradition, research, the preservation of records, and the translation of Habba Khatoon's poetry.
Setting up the Habba Khatun Memorial and Institute
By Justice Markandey KatjuI am a Kashmiri. Though my ancestors migrated to the plains of India over 200 years ago, we never forgot our Kashmiri roots, and always prided ourselves in being Kashmiris.
https://indicanews.com/justice-katju-my-kashmiri-roots/
After the events of 2019, in which, inter alia, Kashmir was downgraded from a state to a union territory in India, Kashmiris have been feeling despondent, in low spirits, and belittled.
Something had to be done to lift up their morale and spirit, and so my Kashmiri friend Tasawar Jalali ( who lives in San Jose, California, USA ) and I decided that a Habba Khatun Memorial and Institute ( hereafter called the HKMI ) be set up in Srinagar ( having a Memorial to Habba Khatun, a research institute, a library, a museum, etc ) which will become the cultural centre of Kashmir ( just as Srinagar is its political centre and capital ). It will become in course of time a place of pilgrimage to Kashmiris in India and abroad, whether Muslims, Hindus, or Sikhs.
We have named the Memorial and Institute proposed to be set up after the famous Kashmiri poet Habba Khatun of the 16th century, known as the Nightingale of Kashmir, whose songs are still on the lips of Kashmiris.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habba_Khatoon
In this connection, I have written the articles below :
https://radiancenews.com/the-habba-khatun-institute/
https://radiancenews.com/progress-in-setting-up-the-habba-khatun-institute/
https://radiancenews.com/a-new-discovery-of-india/
It may be mentioned that when we use the words 'Habba Khatun' in the Memorial and Institute we plan to set up, we do not restrict ourselves to the woman Habba Khatun only. Habba Khatun is a symbol representing the entire history and culture of Kashmir. The words therefore include the great kings mentioned by the Kashmiri writer Kalhan in his Rajtarangini, the great sufis and rishis of Kashmir, and of course the great poets of Kashmir like Habba Khatun
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishi_order
I am the patron of HKMI, Tasawar Jalali is its Chairman, and Sadaf Mir, Principal of Imamia High School, Srinagar is it Gen Secy.
The HKMI has established a Habba Khatun Research Institute ( HKRI ), and its first meeting, chaired by Tasawar Jalali ( who is in Kashmir these days ), was held on 2nd October at the Jalali Heritage House, Zadibal, Srinagar.
This first in-person meeting of the Habba Khatoon Research Institute (HKRI) was an important step in moving the Institute from vision to a structured and sustainable institutional effort.
One of the most significant development in the meeting has been the formation of a strong and capable leadership team, bringing together respected scholars, literary personalities, cultural activists, and individuals committed to the Institute’s purpose. The intention from the outset has been to create an institution built on collective leadership, shared responsibility, and intellectual independence, one that has the depth and capability to move its work forward without being dependent on any single individual.
The meeting helped bring greater clarity to our priorities: systematic research and documentation of Kashmiri history and culture, and in particular on Habba Khatoon, collection and preservation of scholarly and archival material, thoughtful translation of her poetry, particularly into English, while retaining its Kashmiri character and poetic essence, and the development of an appropriate institutional space for research, documentation, and scholarly engagement.
More importantly, the meeting reinforced a common understanding that HKRI should be built for the long term. Our ambition is to establish a credible scholarly institution with the leadership, intellectual foundation, and continuity necessary to preserve and deepen understanding of Kashmiri culture, and in particular, Habba Khatoon’s legacy, and make it accessible to future generations in Kashmir and beyond.
The meeting was attended by renowned scholars and cultural experts and activists viz Zarif Ahmad Zarif, ; Prof. Shad Ramzan, Convenor Kashmiri Board, Sahitya Academy New Delhi, former Dean and Head Kashmiri Deptt. University of Kashmir, and Visiting Professor at the Central University of Kashmir; Mohammad Amin Bhat, President, Adbi Markaz Kamraz; Tasawur Jallali, Chairman, Habba Khatoon Research Institute; Syed Abid Gowhar, Vice Chairman, HKRI; Sadaf Mir, General Secretary, HKRI; besides other distinguished members and dignitaries of the Jalali family.
The meeting marked an important beginning towards establishing a systematic and scholarly initiative dedicated to exploring, documenting and preserving the life and literary legacy of Habba Khatoon, as also the entire history and culture of Kashmir, and its prominent figures.
On learning of this meeting, I sent this message to Tasawar and other members of the HKRI :
Congratulations to all members of the Habba Khatun Research Institute for holding this historical meeting.
What you are doing will be recorded in the annals of the history of Kashmir.
Unfortunately, due to certain developments in recent years ( such as downgrading Kashmir from a state to a union territory in 2019 ), the people of Kashmir were feeling despondent, belittled, and in low spirits.
One of the cardinal objectives of the Habba Khatun Memorial and Institute is to restore the morale, enhearten, revitalize, and give courage to the people of Kashmir, by reminding them of their glorious past.
We must make this Memorial and Institute the cultural centre of Kashmir, where Kashmiris of all religions, Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs, and whether in India or abroad, come as if on a pilgrimage.
(Justice Markandey Katju is former Chairman, Press Council of India and former Judge, Supreme Court of India.)
FAQs
1. What is the Habba Khatoon Memorial and Institute (HKMI)?
The Habba Khatoon Memorial and Institute is a proposed cultural and research institute in Srinagar, envisioned to include facilities such as a Habba Khatoon memorial, a research institute, a library, and a museum.
2. What is the objective of establishing the Habba Khatoon Memorial and Institute?
Its objective is to preserve, research, and document Kashmir's history, literature, and cultural heritage, and to pass this legacy on to future generations.
3. Who was Habba Khatoon?
Habba Khatoon was a renowned 16th-century Kashmiri poetess, known as the ‘Nightingale’ of Kashmir. Her poems and songs remain an integral part of Kashmir's cultural memory.
4. What work will the Habba Khatoon Research Institute (HKRI) undertake?
The HKRI will focus on research regarding Kashmiri history and culture—specifically the life and literature of Habba Khatoon—as well as the preservation and documentation of archival material, and the translation and study of her poetry.
5. Will the Habba Khatoon Memorial focus solely on the study of Habba Khatoon?
No. In the proposed institute, Habba Khatoon is viewed as a symbol of Kashmir's broader history and cultural heritage. The scope of study will include various historical and cultural figures of Kashmir, such as Kalhana (author of *Rajatarangini*), the Sufi-Rishi tradition, and other prominent poets.
6. When was the first meeting of the Habba Khatoon Research Institute held?
According to the article, the first in-person meeting of the HKRI took place on October 2nd at the Jalali Heritage House in Zadibal, Srinagar.
7. Which prominent individuals participated in the first HKRI meeting?
The meeting was attended by Prof. Scholars, litterateurs, and cultural activists—including Shad Ramzan, Zarif Ahmed Zarif, Mohammad Amin Bhat, Tasawwur Jalali, Syed Abid Gohar, and Sadaf Mir—participated.
8. Why is the Habba Khatoon Memorial and Institute considered significant for Kashmir?
According to the proposal, this institute is to be developed as a long-term center for the study and preservation of Kashmir's history and culture. It also envisions sharing Kashmir's shared cultural heritage with Kashmiris living in India and abroad.
9. How is Kashmir's shared heritage viewed within the HKMI?
The project is conceptualized around viewing Kashmiri culture as a shared heritage that transcends religious boundaries. The article discusses developing it as a cultural hub and a potential pilgrimage site for Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh Kashmiris alike.
10. What is the long-term goal of the Habba Khatoon Research Institute?
The long-term goal is to develop an independent, credible, and sustainable research institution that can serve as a center for the systematic documentation, preservation, and study of Kashmiri history, culture, and literature.
