Zinda Kaul - Literary Work

Literary Work

Zinda Kaul was the first Kashmiri poet to win the Sahitya Academy award in 1956, for his book of poetry compilations Sumran. It was first published in Devanagari, and later the government had it printed in the Persio-Arabic script. The Sahitya Academy of India gave Pandit Zinda Koul an award of five thousand rupees for this book.

In the beginning 'Masterji' wrote in Persian, Hindi, and Urdu. Zinda wrote his first poem Unity and Sympathy in 1896, and recited it at the Sanatan Dharm Sabha meeting in Srinagar. Masterji started writing in Kashmiri in 1942. In his Kashmiri poetry, he has written primarily on devotion, philosophy & peace. Masterji's poetry has been published in all these four languages. However, he made his name by writing in Kashmiri.

His poetry was greatly influenced by Lal Ded and Parmanand. His writing style is mystical & is influenced by bhakta tradition.

Masterji composed poetry only for (his own) pleasure. Those who know say that Masterji's poems in Kashmiri were better than those in Hindi and Urdu. Masterji translated the poems of the famous Kashmiri poet Parmanand into English. These poems have been published in three volumes. Kashmiri poetry suffered a great loss upon Masterji's death.