By - MANZOOR AKASH

            Nestled within the picturesque landscapes and tranquil ambiance of Rafiabad, lies a 
small town Dangiwacha, en-route to a well-known picnic spot of Mundajji, away at some 18 kilometers
from the district headquarters of Baramulla that holds the legacy of having produced great intellectuals from time to time. Once such great intellectual personality is Dr Rafeeq Ahmad Masoodi, popularly 
known as Dr Rafeeq Masoodi— philanthropic, compassionate, down-to-earth and an exemplary 
persona known for his humility, courtesy, sense of humor, critical appraisal and gripping speeches.
 The eminent personality of Dr Rafeeq Masoodi is undoubtedly dynamic. Contracting such
scintillating persona, succinctly in some tightly woven paragraphs, wouldn’t do justice with life story of 
such a towering character. Yet, I muster up courage to write it down here, briefly. Because his indelible 
contribution in the filed of broadcasting, telecasting, literary circles, translation and administration, etc. 
is something legendary.
 Born to teacher parents in the picturesque Dangiwacha town in district Baramulla of north Kashmir
in an educated Peerzada family; the industrious son of the soil, Dr Rafeeq Masoodi got his early 
education at his hometown before he went to the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at 
Delhi where he obtained a Master’s, M Phil and PhD degree in Hindi. Having inherited a rich legacy of 
literary passion and scholarship from his beloved mother Lt. Hafeeza Begum whom he called Ta’eth
and father, Lt. Ghulam Ahmad Masoodi—a renowned educationist and scholar of his time, who before 
shifting to Dangiwacha resided at Hatishah, Sopore.
 Having graduated in Arts stream (chosen for him by Prof. Ghulam Rasool Bacha) from GDC, 
Sopore in 1976; Dr Rafeeq Masoodi with his unstinted dedication and indefatigable fortitude towards 
his future prospects; laid a strong foundation of his journey for academic excellence and dedication.
He embarked on his incredible professional journey from All India Radio (AIR) which he joined at 
Ahmedabad city in Gujarat in 1985 after being selected by UPSC then Radio Kashmir, Srinagar (now 
Akashwani) as Program Executive of Yuvawani Service in Dec., 1986. From here, his undeterred spirit 
and fascination didn’t stop till his today’s humanitarian and enthusiastic version of a living legend, 
known to us as Masoodi Saeb—a true paragon of inspiration.
 More known to people as a famous broadcaster, the multi-talented Dr. Masoodi’s is an 
embodiment of famed broadcasting, telecasting, superb administration, literature and intellectuality, 
etc. He is the only personality in J&K to have headed all cultural institutions viz. Vividh Bharati, Radio 
Kashmir, Doordarshan and Cultural Academy and headed many radio and TV stations in India. Having
remained as the Additional Director General Doordarshan, Directorate General to Development 
Communication Division, New Delhi, he also rediscovered the cultural ethos of J&K & Ladakh by 
working as Secretary J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) vis-à-vis holding other 
high-raking posts with brief time spent with RTM (Radio TV Malaysia) & CCTV (Central China TV),
before he moved to Delhi to serve Doordarshan. 
 For his notable achievements in radio and TV, Dr. Masoodi has been honored with many awards.
Though I can’t site them all, yet, it will be totally injustice if awards like Sahitya Academi Award (2005) 
for Kashmir translation of TAMAS, SAMPA Award for promotion of Art (2007), Lifetime Achievement
Award from New Delhi in 2008 and Pride of India Award in 2009, etc. are not made a mention of.
 But Dr Rafeeq Masoodi journey into broadcasting and literary horizons of Kashmir doesn’t end 
here. He became known to the literary world through his translations, especially his Kashmiri 
translation of Bhisham Sahni’s (actor Balraj Sahni’s brother) Tamas, Kashmiri translation of Vishnu 
Prabhakar’s novel Ardh Narishwar and his own 2012 released book Panun Dod Panin Dag, a 
collection of Kashmir poems, translated into English as My Pain, My Affliction by Prof. Muhammad 
Aslam, Former Head, Dept. of English, Central University of Kashmir.
 His heart crafted poetry under Panun Dod Panin Dag which got translated into various languages

since 2013, has not only made him a well-known figure in the literary and cultural circles across the 
Valley, and outside but has also credited him with the ‘Pride of Jammu & Kashmir’ title. And far beyond 
the realms of splendid broadcasting, translation, poetry and administration, Dr Masoodi’s passion
didn’t keep him confined to his literary endeavors—a testament to his enduring spirit of excellence, but 
much more.
 Dr Rafeeq Masoodi’s tenure as the Secretary of JKAACL, Srinagar was simply a golden era. His 
instrumental role in resuscitating the Cultural Academy to its unique glory stands all time 
commendable which is evident from Auyob Sabir’s verse on him, “Mae Basaan Prezalwun Iqbal (RA) 
Wareya, Aya’n Roshan Emes Khadukhal Wareya. Masoodi Saeb Gou Tashreef Aawar, Academy 
Sapez Khushal Wareya” (Dr. Iqbal to me is a sparkling personality whose every aspect is evident;
During Masoodi Sahib’s time, the Academy for progress took the front). On 8 May, 2002, Valley’s only 
Jnanpith Awardee Lt. Prof. Rehman Rahi has said, “Achen Hund Gaash Mulnawan Masoodi, Dilech 
Rech Aash Rechrawan Masoodi. Seatha Shuodbuod Ta Gatul Akh Rafeeq Insaan, Rutay Kerawav 
Rutay Perawun Masoodi”.
 The best thing about public-spirited Dr Rafeeq Masoodi is that his contributions to philanthropic
causes have earned him respect. Even after superannuation from his services, people approach to 
him for favors and welfare. About him, a great poet and renowned broadcaster, Lt. Farooq Nazki has 
once said, “Masoodi Wakie Ek Aunjuman Hai, Humaray Ahud Ka Woh Buet Shekan Hai. Chamkta Ek 
Sitara Bangaya Hai, Masoodi Ek Edara Bangaya Hai”. Post his retirement as Additional Director 
General Doordarshan, he serves Adbi Markaz Kamraz (Rafibad Centre for Culture) as Sarparast
(Patron), is founding member of Cancer Society of Kashmir and is heading Meeras Mahal Museum of 
Sopore.
 On the canvas of my own memories, I vividly recall my only meeting with sterling Dr Rafeeq 
Masoodi at Cultural Academy’s Lal Mundi Office, Srinagar in 2007 when my 1st book Verses of Heart
had got published. Accompanied by my father, it was magnificent to see him reciting noble Qur’an 
alone in his chamber before stirring an inclusive interaction with us. Indeed is Dr Sahib’s vibrant & 
iconic personality, most praiseworthy—a unique blend of affection, dynamism and a living legacy par 
excellence. Wish him a long life!

            Manzoor Akash is freelance columnist, and can be reached at manzurakash@yahoo.co.in