In South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, Tauqeer Ashraf, a dynamic 22-year boy pursuing MSc Geology from Kashmir University, is breaking barriers and making waves in an unexpected domain – the realm of language and culture.
Despite his scientific background, Tauqeer’s passion for the Kashmiri language has propelled him to champion its cause through an innovative online campaign, “Keashur Praw,” which has garnered widespread acclaim and recently earned him a coveted spot in the India Book of Records.
The unlikely linguist Tauqeer Ashraf, hailing from a scientific background pursuing MSc in Geology, defies conventional expectations by dedicating himself to the preservation and promotion of the Kashmiri language.
His journey into the linguistic realm commenced in October 2021 when he initiated the “Keashur Praw” campaign across prominent social media platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
Inspired by the timeless poetry of Sheikh Noor u Din Noorani (RA), Tauqeer felt a deep sense of responsibility to transmit this cultural wealth to the younger generation.The project’s name, “Keashur Praw,” meaning “Kashmir Shines,” reflects Tauqeer’s commitment to casting a spotlight on the linguistic heritage of Kashmir.
Tauqeer, a multilingual poet fluent in Kashmiri, Urdu, and English, attributes his poetic prowess to the works of Sheikh Noor u Din Noorani. His deep connection to Sheikh Noor u Din’s poetry collection, “Kalaam-e-Sheikh ul Aalam,” showcases the spiritual and cultural identity integral to Kashmiri literature.
Concerned about the erosion of the Kashmiri language among the younger generation, Tauqeer emphasises the need for promoting and cherishing the language. He believes in striking a balance between learning other languages and preserving cultural roots.
For the last couple of years, Tauqeer has been tirelessly posting Kashmiri poetry with English translations on his social media channels. Despite modest initial views, the response from viewers has been overwhelming, with daily messages expressing gratitude and best wishes for Tauqeer’s mission.
Tauqeer’s commitment goes beyond poetry, as he diversifies his content with Kashmiri puzzles, phrases, and idioms along with their historical perspective and context. This holistic approach to language learning has garnered interest not only from natives but also from non-natives eager to engage in the cultural exchange.
One of the most remarkable outcomes of Tauqeer’s initiative is the global interest it has ignited. Messages from individuals outside Kashmir expressing a genuine desire to learn Kashmiri highlight the universal appeal of cultural preservation through language.
Tauqeer Ashraf’s dedication recently earned him a place in the India Book of Records after local non government organisations working for preservation of Kashmiri language recognised his contributions for the promotion of the mother tongue.
Despite his scientific focus, he allocates time after university classes to diligently work on preserving the Kashmiri language, showcasing the power of passion and determination in unconventional pursuits.
“Although I’m from a science background, my love for the Kashmiri language is beyond words, which never lets me find excuses to learn Kashmiri and work on it,” he said.
Having studied Kashmiri in school until 8th standard, he is now taking his learning to new heights by purchasing different Kashmiri books which include poetic collections of Wahab Khaar, Rusul Mir, Shams Fakeer, Sach Kral and Mahmood Ghami.
“People appreciate my work, and they say that they are learning Kashmiri from my videos,” Tauqeer reveals, underscoring the tangible impact of his digital crusade to revitalize the Kashmiri language.
Since October 2021, he has uploaded more than 1000 videos on different platforms which reached millions of viewers illuminating them with the beauty of Kashmiri language and its richness.
This dynamic crusader of Kashmiri language from Gusoo, a beautiful village on Newa- Pakherpora road in Southern district of Pulwama, has carved an identity for himself within Kashmir University by promoting the mother tongue.
“Students and Staff from the Kashmiri department recognise and appreciate my work which really encourages me to do better,” he said.
