Raja Nazar Bonyari: A writer behind promotion of Pahari language

Abdul Qayoom Khan, known by his pen name Raja Nazar Bonyari, is a Pahari and Urdu writer who has authored more than a dozen books and worked for promotion of Pahari language.
Born and brought up in Boniyar area of Baramulla, from childhood he was inclined towards writing. He received his education up to 12th in his village.
Belonging to Pahari community, which is in minority in the village, Bonyari started writing before he joined GDC Baramulla in 1973 for BA course. Later, he did master’s in Urdu and B.Ed from the University of Kashmir.
After completing the course at the college he was appointed as a teacher in the education department and superannuated as headmaster in 2007.
During his 43 years of services as a teacher, he contributed a lot in the education sector in north Kashmir and served at different positions in many areas.
Bonyari worked in DIET Sopore as a teacher trainer. Besides that he also worked in Textbook Advisory Board of Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (J&KBOSE).
The elderly writer has so far penned down 14 books which include 6 books in Pahari and 8 books in Urdu. He started writing when he was young and contributed his articles to the then newspapers in Srinagar like Hamdard, Hamara Kashmir, Roznama Chinar etc.He also contributed for Nagina publications.
In 1964, his first book (fiction) titled Dusra Adam was aired on Radio Kashmir Srinagar, now All India Radio Srinagar. Notably, the bookwas also translated into Russian language in 1972.
Bonyari went to Tashkent Russia in 1973 to learn Russian language but he stayed there only for 42 days and came back home after his mother’s call.
In 1970, he also worked as an editor in Roznama Chinar and worked there for some time. During this time, one of his Urdu articles was published in a national magazine which was liked by the progressive writers of Delhi and was widely appreciated.
Bonyari’s one of the Urdu books was published in April 2020 titled Dil Nama. He said he has written his work in 9 languages spoken in Jammu and Kashmir.
Last year, his Urdu book titled Sharda Peak (Safar Nama) was published and was appreciated across the world. It was released in Baramulla, Srinagar and New Delhi in separate events.
His other books include Banj Maa Ka Beta, Yeh Kis Ki Lash Hai Mere Kafan Mai, Namal, Mithi Neech, Laelal De Banjare, Seerat Tul Numan, etc.
Besides being a writer, he has also worked as an anchor and singer in DD Kashir and radio Kashmir Srinagar (now All India Radio Srinagar) and worked in several programs in Urdu and Pahari languages. He is still known in pahari community for his prominent programs.
The writer and prominent teacher belong to Pahari community and his mother tongue is Pahari. In the village where he lives, 20 percent of people are Pahari while rest are Kashmiri.
While taking about the decline of local languages over the past several decades, he said across the world there are 7 crore pahari speaking people and in Kashmir valley, pahari is spoken in Poonch, Rajouri, Kupwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora etc.
He said, a lot of literature has been published in Pahari language and its speakers have increased post 1970.
“Over the years, Pahari language has improved. During 1970, it was on decline. With the establishment of a separate Pahari Department in the University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar it got further push,” the 73-year-old writer said.
Bonyari said with the establishment of a separate Pahari department in Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Academy it got further boost and Pahari writing and speaking was included.
“In Cultural Academy even Quran was translated into Pahari language,” he said adding “Lately, many students did their Ph.D. in Pahari,” he said.
Bonyari said the community had been facing a number of difficulties, however, in recent years now the government is focusing on the community and it has happened very late.
“In Radio and Television there are lot of programs where the Pahari community is given an equal space which is very encouraging,” he said.
While taking about how to further improve Pahari language, Bonyari said the language should be taught to children from childhood, in schools, colleges and universities.
“Youth should promote and encourage speaking in their mother tongue whether it is pahari or Kashmiri, it will help in preserving our languages. Due to urbanization, some people have forgotten their mother languages,” he said.
He has been appreciated and has received many awards and honours from J&K Cultural Academy. This year on 26 January he was also awarded for his contribution towards the Pahari language in Baramulla.
Bonyari expressed happiness that over the years Pahari language has got a good space in media and many programs have been started which he appreciates.
“Pahari language and literature both need a further push to make it strong. We should not forget our mother tongue but rather promote it at the larger level so that the next generation would appreciate our work and do not face any identity crisis,” he said.