New Delhi, July 30: The Sahitya Akademi has undertaken translation and publication of works relating to iconic Kashmiri women poets and mystics, including Lal Ded, Habba Khatoon and Rupa Bhavani, in several Indian languages, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, informed the Rajya Sabha today.
Replying to a question regarding preservation of Kashmir’s literary heritage, the Minister stated that Sahitya Akademi undertakes literary translations in 24 Indian languages recognised by it.
The Akademi has published the Hindi translation of the classical verses of Lal Ded under the title Lalleshwari Ke Vakh, edited by Radhavallabh Tripathi and translated into Hindi by Adwaitvadini Kaul. A monograph on Lal Ded has also been published in English, Hindi and Urdu.
A monograph on Habba Khatoon has been published in English, Hindi, Tamil and Urdu, while a monograph on Rupa Bhavani has been published in English.
The Minister further stated that Gyan Bharatam, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture, provides an institutional framework for the survey, documentation, conservation, digitisation, research and dissemination of India’s manuscript heritage.
Research and academic engagement under the Mission are undertaken through collaboration with centres, universities, scholars, experts and institutions, with support and assistance extended as per the applicable guidelines and approved provisions of the Mission.
As part of this initiative, financial grants were released to Gyan Bharatam Centres in Jammu & Kashmir during the last two financial years. A grant of ₹16.55 lakh was released in 2024-25, while ₹28 lakh was released in 2025-26.
