The multifaceted personality embodies a unique blend of affection, dynamism and a living legacy par excellence

In North Kashmir’s Rafiabad area of Sopore lies a small town Dangiwacha, en route to a lesser-known picnic spot of Mundajji, about 18 kilometres from the district headquarters of Baramulla. This town holds the legacy of having produced great intellectuals over time. One such great intellectual personality is Dr Rafeeq Ahmad Masoodi, popularly known as Dr Rafeeq Masoodi—philanthropic, compassionate, down-to-earth, and an exemplary persona, known for his humility, courtesy, sense of humour, critical appraisal, and gripping speeches.
The eminent personality of Dr Rafeeq Masoodi is undoubtedly dynamic. Condensing such a scintillating persona into a few tightly woven paragraphs wouldn’t do justice to the life story of such a towering character. Yet, I muster the courage to write it down here, succinctly, because his indelible contribution to the field of broadcasting, telecasting, literary circles, translation, administration, etc., is something legendary.
Born to teacher parents in the picturesque Dangiwacha town in the district of Baramulla in North Kashmir, in an educated Peerzada family, the industrious son of the soil, Dr Masoodi, got his early education in his hometown before he went to the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, where he obtained a Master’s, M.Phil., and Ph.D. degree in Hindi. Having inherited a rich legacy of literary passion and scholarship from his beloved mother, Lt. Hafeeza Begum, whom he called Ta’eth, and his father, Lt. Ghulam Ahmad Masoodi—a renowned educationist and scholar of his time who, before shifting to Dangiwacha, resided in Hatishah, Sopore.
Having graduated in the Arts stream (chosen for him by Prof Ghulam Rasool Bacha) from GDC, Sopore in 1976, Dr Rafeeq Masoodi, with his unstinting dedication and indefatigable fortitude towards his future prospects, laid a strong foundation for his journey toward academic excellence and dedication. He embarked on his incredible professional journey with All India Radio (AIR), which he joined in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in 1985 after being selected by UPSC. He then moved to Radio Kashmir, Srinagar (now Akashwani), as Program Executive of Yuvawani Service in December 1986. From here, his undeterred spirit and fascination didn’t stop until his current humanitarian and enthusiastic version of a living legend, known to us as Masoodi Saeb—a true paragon of inspiration.
More known to people as a famous broadcaster, the multi-talented Dr Masoodi is an embodiment of famed broadcasting, telecasting, superb administration, literature, intellectuality, etc. He is the only personality in J&K to have headed all cultural institutions, viz. Vividh Bharati, Radio Kashmir, Doordarshan, and the Cultural Academy, and he has headed many radio and TV stations in India. Having remained the Additional Director General of Doordarshan, Directorate General to Development Communication Division, New Delhi, he also rediscovered the cultural ethos of J&K & Ladakh by working as Secretary of the J&K Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (JKAACL) while holding other high-ranking posts with brief time spent with RTM (Radio TV Malaysia) & CCTV (Central China TV), before he moved to Delhi to serve Doordarshan.
For his notable achievements in radio and TV, Dr Masoodi has been honoured with many awards. Though I can’t cite them all, it would be an injustice not to mention awards like the Sahitya Akademi Award (2005) for the Kashmiri translation of “Tamas,” the SAMPA Award for the promotion of Art (2007), the Lifetime Achievement Award from New Delhi in 2008, and the Pride of India Award in 2009.
But Dr Rafeeq Masoodi’s journey into the broadcasting and literary horizons of Kashmir doesn’t end here. He became known to the literary world through his translations, especially his Kashmiri translation of Bhisham Sahni’s (actor Balraj Sahni’s brother) “Tamas,” the Kashmiri translation of Vishnu Prabhakar’s novel “Ardh Narishwar,” and his own 2012 book “Panun Dod Panin Dag,” a collection of Kashmiri poems, translated into English as “My Pain, My Affliction” by Prof Muhammad Aslam, Former Head, Department of English, Central University of Kashmir.
His heartfelt poetry in “Panun Dod Panin Dag,” which has been translated into various languages since 2013, has made him a well-known figure in the literary and cultural circles across the Valley and beyond, crediting him with the title ‘Pride of Jammu & Kashmir.’ Far beyond the realms of splendid broadcasting, translation, poetry, and administration, Dr Masoodi’s passion didn’t confine him to his literary endeavours—a testament to his enduring spirit of excellence.
Dr Rafeeq Masoodi’s tenure as the Secretary of JKAACL, Srinagar, was simply a golden era. His instrumental role in resuscitating the Cultural Academy to its unique glory stands all-time commendable, which is evident from Auyob Sabir’s verse on him: “Mae Basaan Prezalwun Iqbal (RA) Wareya, Aya’n Roshan Emes Khadukhal Wareya. Masoodi Saeb Gou Tashreef Aawar, Academy Sapez Khushal Wareya” (Dr Iqbal to me is a sparkling personality whose every aspect is evident; During Masoodi Sahib’s time, the Academy for progress took the front). On May 8, 2002, the valley’s only Jnanpith Awardee, Lt. Prof Rehman Rahi, said, “Achen Hund Gaash Mulnawan Masoodi, Dilech Rech Aash Rechrawan Masoodi. Seatha Shuodbuod Ta Gatul Akh Rafeeq Insaan, Rutay Kerawav Rutay Perawun Masoodi.”
The best thing about public-spirited Dr Rafeeq Masoodi is that his contributions to philanthropic causes have earned him respect. Even after his superannuation from his services, people approach him for favours and welfare. About him, a great poet and renowned broadcaster, Lt. Farooq Nazki, once said, “Masoodi Wakie Ek Aunjuman Hai, Humaray Ahud Ka Woh Buet Shekan Hai. Chamkta Ek Sitara Bangaya Hai, Masoodi Ek Edara Bangaya Hai.” Post his retirement as Additional Director General of Doordarshan, he serves Adbi Markaz Kamraz (Rafiabad Centre for Culture) as Sarparast (Patron), is a founding member of the Cancer Society of Kashmir, and heads the Meeras Mahal Museum of Sopore.
On the canvas of my own memories, I vividly recall my only meeting with the sterling Dr Rafeeq Masoodi at Cultural Academy’s Lal Mandi Office, Srinagar in 2007 when my first book “Verses of Heart” had just been published. Accompanied by my father, it was magnificent to see him reciting the noble Qur’an alone in his chamber before engaging in an inclusive interaction with us. Indeed, Dr Sahib’s vibrant and iconic personality is most praiseworthy—a unique blend of affection, dynamism, and a living legacy par excellence. I wish him a long life!
Manzoor Akash is a columnist and educationist. He can be reached at [email protected]

Manzoor Akash