Srinagar, Nov 7 (Reporter) The Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, organized a day-long literary program to commemorate Sarwanand Koul Premi and paid glowing tributes to him on his birth anniversary in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The function was held at the Government Model Higher Secondary school Bijbehara during which many stalwarts and reputed writers and literary figures participated in the function and threw light on the literary activities of Sarwanand koul Premi. Sarwanand Koul Premi a well-known poet, researcher, journalist and teacher born in Soaf Shali village of south Kashmir’s Anantnag District on November 2, 1924. Premi achieved fame and became a household name with his writings on the life stories of the saint-poetess Mata Roopa Bhawani, a short biography of saint-poet Swami Mirza-Kakji, and translating the Bagwat Geeta in Kashmiri. His other works include Kalami-Premi, Paymai-Premi, Rooda-jerry, Oosh-ta-vosh, Mahjoor-t-Kashir, Russi Padshah Katha, Hamara Mahjoor, Kashmir ki Bettie, besides he was a pioneer in the translation of "Shrimad Bhagwat Gita", in three languages, Urdu, Hindi and Kashmiri respectively. Premi was brutally killed by armed gunmen on 29 April 1990. The function was presided over by famous folklorist, writer, critic and Translator Ghulam Nabi Aatash. Former president Maraaz Adbee Sangam Ali Shaida was the chief guest on the occasion. Convenor Kashmiri advisory Board Sahitya Akademi New Delhi Prof. Shad Ramzan and Principal Model Higher Secondary Boys Bijbehara Nasreena ji also shared the presidium. Riyaz Anzno and M Shafi Jafri paid poetic tribute to Sarwanand Koul Premi during the function which was attending by a galaxy of writers including newly elected president Maraaz Adbee Sangam, Dr. Mohammad Shafi Ayaz, General Secretary Izhar Mubashir, Tanha Shilipuri, Badree Rehman, Iftikhar Anjum, Javid Sagar and faculty members of Model Higher Secondary school Bijbehara. The proceedings of the function were conducted by Dr. Gulzar Ahmad Rather. Nasreena presented a welcome address while Dr Gulzar Ahmad Rather Member, Kashmiri advisory board sahitya akademi delivered introductory remarks on the occasion. Rather threw light on Life Sketch and literary contribution of Premi ji, Prof. Shad Ramzan said it is the practice of sahitya akademi to commemorate literary icons and highlight their literary contribution. Ali shaida in his speech thanked sahitya akademi for organizing these events for promoting regional languages. Ghulam Nabi Aatash in his presidential address thrown light on the literary contribution of Sarwanand kaul Premi. He said Sarwanand Koul Premi was his teacher and was social reformer and independence activist and helped many Muslim families in distress. Aatash has also a credit to compile an anthology on Sarwanand koul Premi...////...