Hindko Academy publishes Kotal Rang

PESHAWAR: The Gandhara Hindko Academy, Peshawar, has brought out the latest issue of Kotal Rang, a literary and cultural journal that showcases the works of Hindko language writers and poets from the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A noted retired civil servant, Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, is the patron of the journal.

A known research scholar of the Hindko language and author, Muhammad Ziauddin, serves as the managing editor, while Ms Nusrat Naseem, a distinguished writer of Hindko and Urdu from Kohat, is the editor.

The latest issue features contributions from several prominent Kohati literati, including Syed Matiullah Shah, Muhammad Jan Atif, Hina Rauf, Syed Masoom Shah, Liaquat Ali, and Shujaat Ali Rahi.

There are pieces as well by Dr Seema Shafee, Fazle Rabi Rahi, Jabbar Mirza, Nayyer Sarhadi, Naeem Iqbal Kohati, Dr Nisar Turabi, Syed Ibrar Hussain, Muhammad Ziauddin, and Nusrat Naseem.

The cover of the magazine features a portrait of Nusrat Naseem, an eminent literary figure from Kohat who has earned recognition for her contributions to travelogue writing.

In a tribute, writer Naeem Iqbal Kohati lauds Nusrat Naseem as the first woman prose writer from Kohat.

He particularly appreciates her travelogue written in the Hindko language, calling it a compelling and valuable addition to the Hindko literature.“This travelogue is expected to inspire other writers, especially the emerging ones, to take up the genre,” he remarks.

The writer commends Nusrat Naseem for her committed service to Hindko language and culture not only in her native Kohat but also for maintaining active literary ties with writers in the Peshawar and Hazara regions.

A former diplomat, Syed Ibrar Hussain, praises her engaging narrative style, saying it captivates readers and compels them to continue reading. He admires her keen eye for detail and vivid descriptions in the travelogue.

Muhammad Ziauddin offers high praise for Nusrat Naseem’s literary command, describing her as a prominent figure in both Hindko and Urdu literature. He supports his admiration with excerpts from her various writings, highlighting her distinctive style and astute literary expression.

It is worth mentioning that Kotal Rang is among the regular Hindko literary journals published by the Gandhara Hindko Academy which is run by the Gandhara Hindko Board.

Other publications include Hindko Adab, Hindkowan, Sarkhail, Fatima, The Gandhara Voice, Sargi Da Tara (dedicated to the Hazara Division), Gomal Rang (Saraiki), Khowar Nama (Chitrali), Watan (Kohistani), and the research journal, Mother.

Established in April 2015 under a public-private partnership in Peshawar, the academy has been operating on a self-help basis since the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government ceased funding to the research body beyond June 30, 2022. The board and the academy have published over 500 books and publications so far in 11 languages.

Hindko is one of the 14 officially recognized languages of Pakistan, as documented in the Seventh Population and Housing Census conducted from March to May 2023.

According to official data, Hindko ranks as the sixth major regional language of the country and is the second most widely spoken language in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.