Literary Contribution Beyond Books!
Publications, Not Necessarily a Contribution
By Nazir Jahangir
Not long ago, someone left a comment on a Facebook post directed at the esteemed intellectual of our valley, Ms. Masooda Rajpuri. The commenter asked, with a tone of sarcasm and derision, “What are your contributions (to literature)?” The remark came from an individual unknown in literary circles, yet it prompted me to reflect on the nature of “contribution” and the misunderstandings surrounding it.
I found myself questioning what the commenter meant by “contribution” and how those with such “curiosities” define intellectual or literary merit?
The remark, though dismissive, led me to explore the deeper implications of this term. After all, does the sun need to prove its existence? Its radiance is proof enough. Similarly, a true intellectual does not need to justify their knowledge—those who recognize their brilliance stand as living testimony.
What Defines a Literary Contribution?
Is contribution merely the act of publishing books? If so, then consider this: Socrates, one of the greatest minds in history, never wrote a single book, yet his wisdom continues to shape human thought. Today, even an uneducated or illiterate person, with the right resources, can publish as many books as they please. Social media is flooded with advertisements from vanity presses offering to publish anything—for a price.
In our region, even schoolchildren from the fifth, eighth, and tenth grades have published books in English. Should we, based solely on these publications, recognize them as literary scholars? Likewise, many individuals manage to get incoherent, substandard writings published in newspapers and pass them off as literature. Should this, too, be considered a contribution?
It astonishes me that those who lack a fundamental understanding of literature are the ones most eager to demand “contributions” from respected intellectuals. The term has become a meaningless buzzword, tossed around by those who have neither insight nor credentials in the field.
A Conversation on “Contribution”
At a literary event, I once encountered a narrow-minded individual who asked, “What is your contribution to literature?” I replied, “If you are the one measuring my literary and intellectual abilities against the scale of your own understanding, then surely, they will amount to nothing—for your scale itself is flawed, incapable of accurate assessment. Now tell me, what is your contribution to literature?”
Proudly, he said, “I have published three books, written many stories, etc., etc.”
I responded, “That is no contribution. Tell me something meaningful—something intellectual, creative, or original that truly qualifies as a contribution.”
He looked perplexed. Hesitant, he admitted, “I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Exactly,” I said. “You cannot understand—because if you could, perhaps your so-called contribution would actually hold some value.”
I shared an analogy with him:
“One day, I asked a rooster, ‘You start crowing at dawn, and I’ll address that later, but first, tell me—aside from making noise, do you have anything to boast about?’ The rooster replied, ‘Yes, I have wings, which you do not.’ I said, ‘Indeed, but of what use are they? You can’t even fly as high as a sparrow. The moment you try, you come crashing down. Even a donkey has legs, but if it steps into a river, it will drown within moments—while a fish, without legs, glides effortlessly through the ocean. And then there is the moon, soaring through space without wings, moving gracefully and shining bright.’”
Those who boast about their books, radio and television dramas, and published articles as their “contributions” often fail to understand that true literary excellence, creativity, and wisdom exist on a different plane altogether—one that is, unfortunately, as rare as salt in flour in our valley.
The Intellectual Depth of Ms. Masooda Rajpuri!
I had the privilege of interacting with Ms. Masooda Rajpuri through Facebook for some time. She is an exceptionally intelligent and insightful literary figure, equipped with a profound critical sensibility.
In Kashmir, very few readers, writers, or critics truly grasp the deeper creative and philosophical dimensions of my stories. Yet, I found that whenever I posted a story, Ms. Masooda was the only one who engaged with it meaningfully.
Her critiques were not only remarkable but also deeply analytical—never superficial. She possesses an immense wealth of experience and observation, something that is evident in her assessments.
For me, being convinced by a critique of my work is an extraordinary occurrence, as I rarely find analyses that align with the essence of my writing. Once, a so-called writer told me, “I have read your stories, but they seem pointless.”
I replied, “Sir, if people like you did not exist, stories like The Fox and the Sour Grapes would never have been written! In fact, it is because of people like you that such stories come into being.”
Ironically, he mistook my sarcasm for praise and felt pleased with himself!
Contribution Beyond Publications!
There is a literary association here called the Fiction Writers’ Guild, which is thriving. I attended one of its meetings and noticed that many members, by conventional standards, had no published works. Yet, their level of literary, intellectual, and creative insight far surpassed that of many self-proclaimed writers who boast about their books and papers.
Similarly, in our valley, there is Dr. Wahid, a highly esteemed intellectual. He has no books or papers to his name, yet in serious literary and academic circles, his words command attention. This is because his understanding of literature, philosophy, and global affairs is far deeper than that of many celebrated authors.
True Contribution: A Rarity in Our Times
A literary contribution is not about stacking books on a shelf or seeing one’s name in print—it is about ideas, wisdom, creativity, and intellectual depth. Some of the greatest thinkers in history never wrote a word, yet their influence endures. Meanwhile, countless books are published daily, only to be forgotten the next.
True literary and intellectual contributions are rare, and in Kashmir, they are even rarer. Perhaps this is why those who truly contribute never feel the need to justify themselves—because, like the sun, their brilliance speaks for itself.
The same is true for Bashir Arif, Majid Asmi, Showkat Farooqi, Peerzada Abdal Mehjor and others. They are the pride of our literary landscape and culture, and no one has the right to demand proof of their contributions. They have already proven their mettle by playing a long and remarkable innings on the literary stage.
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andhi and Sarla Devi,” highlighting the legendary role of Sarla Devi and the contributions of women in India’s freedom struggle.