As social media fuels a wave of imitation and self-promotion, Kashmir’s poets must rediscover sincerity, originality, and spiritual truth to revive the region’s rich literary heritage
By Hilal Bukhari
Kashmir has always been a fertile land for literature, poetry, and mysticism. The mountains, lakes, and valleys of this blessed land have inspired countless poets across centuries. The fragrance of its soil has nurtured words of love, pain, and longing. It is this very soil that gave birth to Lalla Ded, Rasul Mir, Mahjoor, and Abdul Ahad Azad. These poets turned the soul of Kashmir into living verse.
But when we look around today, we are compelled to ask: Are we truly the inheritors of that great tradition, or have we merely become its claimants in name?
In today’s Kashmir, poets seem to be springing up in every household. In the age of social media, everyone wants to write poetry regardless of whether they understand the art or not. On the surface, this may appear as a sign of literary enthusiasm, but in reality, it reflects something deeper and more concerning: the decline of poetic originality. Most of our so-called modern poetry is little more than imitation, recycled thoughts, repeated emotions, and borrowed metaphors dressed in familiar rhythms.
True poetry demands freshness of thought, depth of emotion, and sincerity of expression. Yet, these qualities are becoming rare. Many of today’s poets repeat what has already been said not only in idea but also in form and tone. If an old idea is presented from a new angle, it still holds creative value. But when both thought and expression are borrowed, poetry loses its very purpose.
A major issue with contemporary Kashmiri poetry is the blurring of boundaries between divine and worldly love. Almost every poet now writes as if he were a mystic, a philosopher, or a saint speaking of love in abstract terms that neither reflect human tenderness nor spiritual enlightenment. Love, once a sacred flame that burned quietly within the soul, has now been reduced to a decorative word for applause. Our verses echo spirituality, but they often lack the spiritual truth that once illuminated the words of our mystic poets.
That is not to say that genuine poets no longer exist. Even today, Kashmir has poets whose work bears the mark of insight, philosophy, and psychological depth. Some possess the gift of melody and linguistic grace. But, regrettably, there are few. The majority write only for public recognition, for claps at gatherings and “likes” on social media. Their verse is not born of reflection but of restlessness for attention. This growing trend of “publicity poetry” has begun to erode the dignity of our literary culture.
Equally disheartening is the fact that many poets publish large volumes of verse that no one reads. Their books pile up, untouched and forgotten. This is not merely the poets’ loss it is a cultural tragedy. When poetry becomes an exercise in self-display rather than self-expression, readers inevitably lose interest. Today’s young generation, once inspired by Mir, Ghalib, Faiz, and Mahjoor, now finds little motivation to read poetry seriously. The art that once shaped their thoughts and refined their emotions is losing its hold on their imagination.
Our literary organisations and cultural circles, too, bear part of the blame. Many of them have prioritised personal connections over artistic merit. As a result, mediocrity thrives while genuine talent fades into obscurity. If this pattern continues, poetry will no longer be the voice of a people; it will become a mere pastime, a performance, a way to satisfy the ego rather than to stir the heart.
It is time we redefined the purpose of poetry. The poet’s task is not merely to rhyme or to play with words; it is to awaken the collective conscience, to give shape to the invisible emotions of society, and to mirror the pain and beauty of human existence. Poetry is a lamp that illuminates the moral and emotional landscape of a nation. When that lamp runs out of the oil of truth, it no longer shines; it only smokes.
Our poets, especially the younger ones, must return to the path of study, observation, and self-critique. They must read widely, think deeply, and feel sincerely. Fame should not be their goal; understanding should be. If we can restore honesty, imagination, and originality to our poetry, then the golden era of Kashmiri verse can return, perhaps in a new and even more radiant form.
The fragrance of poetry still lingers in the air of Kashmir. It only needs to be freed from the dust of imitation and self-promotion, so it may once again speak with the voice of truth, pain, and beauty. When that happens, our poetry will once again touch hearts, enlighten minds, and awaken souls just as it did in the glorious past.
The writer is a teacher in J&K’s Education Department
bu*****************@***il.com