Inder Krishen Koul (Talib Kashmiri)
Inder Krishen Koul (Talib Kashmiri)
Inder Krishen Koul (Talib Kashmiri) was born on Nov 10,
1948 at his native place Chattabal, Baghi Sunder Balla, Srinagar. His
father Pt. Keshow Nath Koul working in Revenue Deptt. was a gifted
writer in Urdu and Persian and his articles and write-ups often appeared
in the local papers of Srinagar viz. Martand, Jyoti, Khidmat and Hamdard
between Forties and Sixties of 20th Century. After completing his
education from school to university level at Srinagar itself (including
MP Higher Secondary School, Baghi Dilawar Khan and SP College), Talib
worked in several departments and finally got appointed in the Ministry
of Home Affairs, Government of India where he got opportunity to serve
at various places in the country including his parent state JandK. He bid
adieu to his professional career in November 2008.
Strictly speaking the literary talent of Talib Kashmiri had started
coming to fore from his school and college days itself, but these
couldn’t find a proper vent subsequently due certain reasons including
his extreme preoccupation with professional duties in a sensitive
organization. However, with each passing day he kept on observing very
keenly those aspects of social, political and public life which were
eating into the vitals of the society irrespective of wherefrom they
originated and against whom they were directed. One such bizarre
development was the unpredicted turn of events that took place in the
Indian sub-continent particularly in Jammu and Kashmir which had their
impact on the creative and literary faculties of Talib too. The
cumulative effect of all these events forced the writer within Talib to
come out and what he had observed and experienced silently for years
abruptly erupted in the form of poetry in Urdu and English enthralling
the readers for several years. At Jammu Talib remained associated with
several literary organizations including Anjuman Frough-e-Urdu, Anjuman
Tarraqui-e-Hind (JandK chapter) and Adbi Kunj, JandK, Jammu. Of these he is
still the General Secretary of the last mentioned organization. Towards
the beginning of the ongoing Century he switched over to writing short
stories and has emerged as an acclaimed writer at international level
also. His first short story collection in Urdu titled "Shanakht-e-Gul"
was published by Urdu Book Society, Delhi in 2009. Apart from being
published in state and national level Urdu papers and magazines his
stories have been regularly finding place in the magazines published
abroad like Sher-o-Sokhan (Toronto, Canada), Jadeed Adab (Germany),
Dastak (Karachi, Pakistan), Deedahwar (Boston, USA and Aligarh, India)
etc. Talib’s outstanding contribution to Urdu literature has been
acknowledged by various quarters, the latest one being awarding of a
Certificate of Honor by the Urdu Development Council, JandK and Taskeen
group of papers, Jammu. Talib writes fiction in English too and intends
bringing out a collection of his short stories for the benefit of those
not conversant with Urdu. He is also an ardent researcher in ancient
historical geography of Jammu and Kashmir and contemplates publishing an
anthology on this subject of his choice in near future.
Titles of various stories in the book are Mukti, Qaatil, Deewar, Chakma (Humor and
satire), Qasoorwar, Bey Khabar, Taaqatwar, Khota Sikka,
Chilly Bomb (Humor and satire), Chori, Shanahkt-e-Gul (Composition), Hasrat,
Raasta Kaat Gaya (Humor and satire), Uljhan, Aasoodgi, Aag, Kismat, Nakami
(Humor and satire), Imandari, Sawaab, Khoon Ki Chot and Wheel Chair.
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