Vitasta Publishing In Association with Leher Sethi
Hosts the Unveiling of the Book
The Story of Kashmir through the Ages
New Delhi, 18th April 2016
A Perfect evening was hosted by Vitasta Publishing in association with Leher Sethi to celebrate the unveiling of the book The Story of Kashmir through the Ages. The book authored by Arjan Nath Chaku and Inder K Chaku saw esteemed panelists engrossed in a discussion on the subject Imagining Kashmir without Kashmiri Pandits.
The evening took place at Niche Lounge and Bistro, Connaught Place.
Leher Sethi says “This is the second book on Kashmir I’ve launched this year, and it gives me great satisfaction to do so! Since both my parents are from Jammu & Kashmir, I’ve always felt strongly about issues pertaining to the region. The cause of the Kashmiri Pandits is one I feel very strongly about, and it is a privilege to further the cause in whichever way I can. Having Mr Kher here today is important because he is an esteemed Kashmiri Pandit whose voice is hard by many.”
Tarun Arora, Owner of Niche says “We are glad to be associated with Vitasta Publishing and Leher sethi for this book
launch event. At niche, we believe in reaching out to all kind of audience with the help of unique opportunities and therefore we are really looking forward to host such a renowned activist and actor Anupam Kher and other delegates for this event”.
The renowned personalities who were part of the panel members were Anupam Kher, Actor Activist, Major General GD Bakshi Political Commentator, Sushil Pandit Political Commentator Activist and Mr. Ram Madhav, National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party
About the Book
The Kashmir Story (1 and 2) are a veritable encyclopaedia on Kashmir. Part 1 traces the history of Kashmir beginning from the legends of Nilamatapurana to Kalhana’s Rajatarangini followed by Jonaraja’s, Srivara’s and Sukha’s historical accounts which give us a vivid account of Kings, their rule and misrule and an all-encompassing fabric of the existing political, administrative, economic and social life. It describes the rise and fall of the Gonanda, Vikramaditya, Lohara, Karkota, Utpala dynasties with the fascinating palace intrigues, romances and civil wars. It also describes the topography of Kashmir highlighting its important places and frontier regions.
The chapter on Kashmir under Mughals highlights the secular character of Akbar, Jahangir’s love for Kashmir and their contribution to the development of its beautiful lakes and gardens.The book ends with the cultural highlights of the medieval period withScholarly works of Abhinava gupta, Lall Ded and her famous vaakhs, poetry of songstress Habba Khatoon and the verses of Rupa Bhawani.
About The Authors
Arjan Nath Chaku (1917-2011) was born in the Valley of Kashmir during the reign of the Dogra rulers. The political uncertainty in India and the world in general affected the peaceful life in the Valley. In 1947, frenzy and chaos engulfed India, especially Kashmir. The partition took its toll. In view of uncertainties, Arjan Nath, in the year 1948, left the Valley and came to Delhi.
However, he kept himself updated on Kashmir’s socio-political changes. He attended, though unofficially, all the meetings of the leaders, Acharya Jivatram Bhagwandas, JB Kripalani and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who had visited Kashmir. He took up a reporter’s job in the Daily Hamdard. He was sent to Gulmarg to meet Mohammad Ali Jinnah who was there on holiday. In Delhi, he regularly wrote articles on Kashmir politics for Koshur Samachar, New Age and PressTrust of India.
Inder K Chaku shifted with his father to Delhi where he completed his schooling. He returned to Kashmir to further his education. He took up a job with the Government Media in 1996. It became the gateway for him to imbibe the theatre, music and culture of the Valley. Official engagements brought him back to Delhi from 1970 to 1990. In 1990, he was deputed to head the Media Office in Srinagar.
His dream to live in Kashmir was shattered when he had to join the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley. He shifted to Jammu and then to Delhi along with other migrants and has lived there ever since. While working for the Song and Drama Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Inder Chaku wrote plays and translated them into performance. He also directed programmes for the armed forces. He participated in fifteen International Film Festivals. He has worked with Theatre Titans of India, Shambhu Mitra and the famous dance maestro Birju Maharaj. After retirement, he worked with Bansi Kaul, the famous theatre director.
