Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages

The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (also known as Cultural Academy) is a Government-supported organization dedicated to the promotion of regional languages, art and culture including theatre in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

The Academy was set up by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir by proviso to Section 146 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, in the year 1958. It was declared an autonomous corporate body till 2019 when Jammu and Kashmir state was reorganised as UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh.^[1]

In 2021, the Govt of Jammu and Kashmir has registered the Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The decision was aimed to align the Academy with the administrative changes brought in Jammu and Kashmir after its reorganization in 2019.The reorganization of the Academy is purely based on the existing models of central bodies like Sahitya Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy and Lalit Kala Academy.

As per new laws the JKAACL will be governed through a Governing body under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, and have other administrative authorities including General Council, Central Committee, and Finance Committee.

The Academy is working to promote publication of literature on art, culture and allied subjects including monographs, journals, dictionaries, and encyclopedias; sponsor and organize cultural exchanges, mushairas, symposiums, seminars, lectures, meets, camps, conferences, exhibitions, film shows, music, dance & drama performances, and cultural festivals; and encourage translations of literary works from one regional /national language into others and also from non-Indian into regional / national languages.

Jurisdiction[]

The jurisdiction of the Academy covers the entire Jammu and Kashmir. It is the nodal agency in the matters of interaction and co-operation between the Jammu and Kashmir and the Central and other State Academies. It combines in itself the functions of:

1. Sahitya Akademi (Academy of Letters)
2. Sangeet Natak Akademi (Academy of Music, Dance & Drama)
3. Lalit Kala Akademi (Academy of Arts)

The following languages are supported through this institution:

Regional languages

• Kashmiri
• Dogri
• Gojri
• Pahari
• Punjabi
• Shina language

National languages

• English
• Hindi
• Urdu

Notable personalities who served the Academy[]

Prominent writers and artists who served in JKAACL include:

• Mohammad Yousuf Taing as Editor/ Secretary , N D Sharma as Secretary,Balwant Thakur as Secretary , Ramesh Mehta,as Editor/ Secretary, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas as Editor/ Secretary, Javaid Rahi as Chief Editor, Aziz Hajini as Secretary, Ram Nath Shastri as Chief Editor, Moti Lal Saqi as Editor, Moti Lal Kemmu , as Additional Secretary, Lalit Gupta as Art Historien .

Location and management[]

The Academy has a main offices at Lalmandi Srinagar . The other offices are at Canal Road, Jammu (opposite the science college) , Rajouri, Kathua and Doda.

See also[]

• Kashmiri cinema
• Verite Film Festival (Kashmir)
• Dogri cinema
• Music of Jammu and Kashmir
• Media in Jammu and Kashmir
• Kus Bani Koshur Karorpaet

References[]