PARTAW NADERI () Partaw Naderi was born in 1952. He is known as a social-political activist and poet. Like many other Afghan artists and intellectuals, he was arrested by the Communist Regime in Kabul, then fled to , where he worked for the Dari program of the BBC World Service until 2002. He has worked as a civic education manager for the Afghan Civil Society Forum in Kabul, and is also a leading member of the Afghan Pen Association, Kabul. In addition to poetry, he has published a large number of articles on literary, political and social issues. His published collections include: 'An Elegy for Vine', 'Leaden Moments of Execution', 'A Lock on the Gate of Ashes', 'The Big Picture, The Small Mirror', ' The Other Side of the Purple Waves', 'The Bloody Mouth of Freedom'. His favorite poems are: 'The Other Side of Purple Waves', 'The Idol-Breaker's Calendar', 'Auction', and 'In the Frozen Streets of Eclipse'. AYESHA ZEE KHAN (Pakistan) Ayesha began her literary journey in Urdu. Many of her stories were published in the Taleem- o- Tarbiyat when she was in her teens. After her marriage, she shifted to the UK with her husband in 1990. On her return to Pakistan in 2000 she concentrated on fashion designing, teaching English and with writing. She also writes poetry in English. Currently working on a novel “The Bargain Bin” to be published by the end of 2011. BALBIR MADHOPURI () Author of the only Dalit autobiography in Punjabi, Chhangiya Rukh which has been recently transmitted English and other languages. Balbir is also a poet, with two major Poetry Anthologies. Has written and edited several books on Dalit consciousness. 44 SABITA GAUTAM () Sabita Gautam is a talented young poet. She is M. Sc. in Chemistry and an M.A. in Sociology from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Sabita is a powerful emerging voice. Several of her poems have been published in leading literary magazines, including FOSWAL's 'Beyond Borders'. D.P. PATTANAYAK (India) Renowned Linguist and Educationist. Awarded the Padma Shri, he was the Founder Director of the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, and retired as Addl. Secretary to Government of India. He has several books to his credit and sits on numerous boards. CHAMALI KARIYAWASAM () Chamali Kariyawasam is a poet based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She studied Mathematics and later Economics at the University of London and currently works as an investment banker. Her poetry first appeared in Sri Lankan newspapers in 1999, after which she contributed periodically as a poet and freelance reviewer of the arts. Her first anthology of poetry Sylphlike Ether while still in manuscript form was shortlisted for the Gratiaen Prize 2007. Published in 2009 Sylphlike Ether was awarded the State Literary Award for the Best English Poetry Anthology in October 2010. Chamali participated as a festival author at the Galle Literary Festival 2009. Chamali's writing celebrates emotions, women's perspectives and lifestyles. Her second book of poems and a translation of a Sinhalese novel on social impacts of urbanisation are to be published in Spring 2011.

45 DAVENDRA ISSAR (India) Presently Freelance writer and guest teacher in JNU. Proficient in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and English languages Davendra Kumar is the recipient of several Hindi and Urdu Awards. He has authored several books on mass media and development and Urdu literature. AHMAD SALIM (Pakistan) Ahmad Salim is a poet, author, folklorist, teacher, translator, researcher, editor and activist. His works include: 25 books of Punjabi literary works of poetry, folklore fiction, criticism and travelogues; 20 books of non-fiction in Urdu, English and Punjabi; 20 works on the minorities in Pakistan . He is working at Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), and has been associated with South Asian Research and Resource Centre (SARRC). Was among a handful of people in West Pakistan who took a clear stand in support of Bengali Freedom Movement in 1971. BASANTA KUMAR DOLEY (India) Born in 1955 in an interior village called Mowkhua in the Lakhimpur district of Assam, Basanta Kumar Doley had his primary education in his village school, matriculated from Dhakuakhana High School, graduated from North Lakhimpur College and post-graduated from Dibrugarh University. He did his Ph.D. Degree from Dibrugarh University on 'A Morphological Study of the Missing Language' in 1996. He started working as lecturer in English in Silapathar College in 1982. He was approved as lyricist in Assamese by All India Radio, Dibrugarh in 1980 when he was a university student. He has presented more than 40 papers so far in seminars on variety of subjects and participated in about 15 46 workshops organized by CIIL, NBT, Sahitya Akademi and colleges and universities. He was the President of Mising Sahitya Sabha for two consecutive terms, viz. 2005-07 and 2007-09. He was also the President of Sanmilito Sahitya Sabha Mancha, Assam, a common platform of 16 ethnic Sahitya Sabhas of Assam including Assam Sahitya Sabha. RAZA RUMI (Pakistan) Raza Rumi is freelance writer. He regularly writes for The Friday Times, besides The News and Dawn. In addition, he is also a contributor to 'Beyond Borders' and the Himal Magazine. Raza maintains a blog at Jahan-e-Rumi (www.razarumi.com) - a website devoted to Sufi thought, the arts, literature, and cultures of , and edits a cyber- magazine Pak Tea House (http://pakteahouse.wordpr ess.com); and publishes Lahore Nama (http://lahorenama.wordpress.com). He is also a self- taught painter and his works can be seen at the online Saatchi Gallery. PAPREE RAHMAN () Papree Rahman was born in 1965. For the last fifteen years, she has been involved in creative writing, editing, researching, and freelance journalism. Her short story collections are Laxmindarer Adrista Jatra, Holud Meyer Simanto, Ostorombha, Dhulichitrito Drishyaboli. Her Novels are Mohua Pakhir Palok, Pora Nodir Swapnopuran, Boyon. She has been the Editor of Dhulichitra, literary magazine, and Protipod. She has received Abhijatric Literary Award, and Biswa Sahitta Kendra Prize. GAUHAR RAZA (India) An electrical engineer by qualification, a social scientist, a communicator working in the area of Public Understanding of Science, Cultural Studies. He is also known as a poet

47 and a filmmaker. As a professional Scientist he has published seven books and more than 70 research papers and articles. He has produced large number of documentaries on varied subjects. His widely screened films are ‘In Dark Times’, ‘Evil Stalks the Land’, 'Jang-e-Azadi’ and ‘Inqlab’. His collection of poems ‘Jazbon ki Lau Tez Karo’ was published by Raj Kamal Publications and received Hindi Academy, Award for Creative Writing. J. P. DAS (India) J.P. Das is a poet, painter, dramatist, actor, short-story writer, novelist, translator, critic of art literature and cinema. He took a Master's Degree in Political Science from Allahabad University and taught there briefly. He joined the I.A.S. in 1958. A Homi Bhaba Fellowship in 1979 enabled him to undertake research on the Pata paintings of Orissa, later published as Puri Paintings. He left the I.A.S. in 1984 for full-time writing. In 1990, his short story "Interview" was made into a telefilm, and in 1991 his collection of poems Ahanik received the Sahitya Akademi Award. In 1992 a historical novel Desha Kala Patra and later two collections of children's verses, Alimalika and Alukuchi Malukuchi. In 1996, he received the K.K. Birla Foundation Fellowship and in 1998 the Sarala Award for his Priya Vidushak. In 2000 Pukka Sahib, a collection of short stories. In 2001 he received the Nandikar Award for theatre, for his play "Sundardas", based on the question of evangelisation and interfaith dialogue. His research in Art History, in two volumes, Chitra Pothi, and Palm Leaf Miniatures (with Joanna Williams). His translated works include Under a Silent Sun (with Arlene Zide, 1992) and Gulzar's Autumn Moon. H.K. KAUL (India) Dr. H. K. Kaul is Secretary-General of the Poetry Society India. He has been the Editor of Indian Author, the Project Director of many literary projects, and Course- Director of Workshops for Afro-Asian Writers sponsored by the Ministry

48 of Education, Government of India. He has authored and edited fifty books including seventeen volumes of poetry such as On the Waves, Firdaus in Flames, and Poetry of the Young. NAYYARA RAHMAN (Pakistan) Nayyara Rahman was born in Karachi, in 1984. She is a fiction writer, and a freelance contributor to local magazines and online forums. Her creative writings have been awarded with several awards. Her short story “Clay Fissures” was awarded by The British Council Pakistan. Her work is included in : And The World Changed, edited by Muneeza Shamsie and published by Women Unlimited India, and in Rakhshanda Jalil's 'Neither Night Nor Day' published by Harper Collins, India. TSHERING DORJI () Tshering Dorji is a young poet from Bhutan. He has written a number of books including Shadow Around the Lamp, a book on Bhutanese economy. Has been a regular participant in our SAARC Literary Festivals and Conferences in India and in other SAARC countries. HUMRA QURAISHI (India)

Humra Quraishi is a sensitive, creative journalist and writer. Currently writing a weekly column – 'Signs of the Times' for several newspapers. Author of – Bad Time Tales, Views: Yours and Mine, Kashmir – The Untold Story, she is a Visiting Professor at the Centre for Jawaharlal Nehru Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia.

SAJID MUNIR (Pakistan)

Working in Lok Virsa : (National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage), since 1982. Is dedicated for the last 25 years to make documentary films of rich cultural heritage of Pakistan. 49 Worked with BBC team for filming of “Great Railway Journeys : Karachi to Khyber”, and this work was published in a coffee-table book of BBC. Worked with Humburgischen Museum, Germany, for their publication and exhibition “Pakistan Express” : the Truck Art in Pakistan. Documentaries on awareness and development issues for AASHA, Action Aid, Oxfam, UNDP, USAID, UNICEF, Mehergarh, and many other NGOs. Teaching photography and video production at Fatima Jinnah Women University. Founder member of Photographic Society of Pakistan. Won many awards in photography at national & international level.

LAXMAN GAIKWAD (India) Laxman Gaikwad's book, The Branded, a translation of his autobiographical novel Uchalya has been translated in several languages. He is President of 'Jankalyan Vikas Sanstha' and of 'Denotified and Nomadic Tribes Organization.' He has received many prestigious awards; including the SAARC LITERARY AWARD of FOSWAL, Sahitya Akademi Award, Lok Kaivari Puraskar. SUMITHRA RAHUBADDHE (India) Sumithra Rahubaddhe, born in 1952, is Post Graduate in Development Administration and Development Economics. Her creative writings include 12 novels, 3 collection of short stories, and 12 books for children. Won literary awards for almost all her books for her novel ‘Kandak Sema’, Swarna Pusthaka Award, State Literary Award, University Award, Godage Award, Aluth Piyapath Award. Also received Japanese Bunka Award, Sanasa Award and Bankers Award. Currently she is working in the Ministry of Provincial Councils, and before that in the Ministry of Environment. She has also been Global Environment Facility Consultant, a World Bank Project. She is also a free lance journalist. SALIMA HASHMI (Pakistan) Salima Hashmi is the Dean at the School of Visual Arts at Beaconhouse National University, Lahore. She taught at the National College of Arts, Lahore for 31

50 years and its Principal for 4 years. She is a painter of repute whose works have been exhibited in Pakistan and in international exhibitions. She has written extensively on the arts, and has curated exhibitions of contemporary art and traditional textile, within Pakistan as well as abroad. She is the co- founder of the Rohtas Gallery in Islamabad, established in 1981, and established Rohtas-2 in Lahore in 2001. Her book 'Unveiling the Visible-Lives and Works of Women Artists of Pakistan' was published in 2002. Her publication 'Memories, Myths, Mutations – Contemporary Art of India and Pakistan ' is co-authored with Yashodhara Dalmia for Oxford University Press, India (November 2006). MADANJEET SINGH (India) Madanjeet Singh was born in 1924 at Lahore. Joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1953, and served as Ambassador in many countries. Author of several books and monographs, including Indian Sculpture in Bronze and Stone, Indian Miniatures, and The Oral and Intangible Heritage of South Asia. He is a painter and a photographer of international repute, and produced an award- winning documentary on the Buddhist paintings in Ajanta caves. Madanjeet Singh founded Rainbow Foundation in 2000, and later, South Asia Foundation, to promote regional cooperation among South Asian countries. (Nepal) Suman Pokhrel is a poet and lyricist. He has quite a few collections of poems and songs to his credit. His poetry is known for its innovative style and grace. He has participated in several international literary events of FOSWAL, including SAARC Festivals of Poetry and SAARC 51 Writers' Conferences, and SAARC Folklore Festival. K.K. MUHAMMAD (India) K.K. Muhammad, the most eminent Indian archaeologist. Born 1952, is Post graduate in history and archaeology with several specialisations, he received National Awards for maintaining Sanchi, Qutub, Hamanyun Tomb, Citizen Journalist Award from CNN, IBN, and Vice President of India’s Award. He discovered and excavated rock-cut caves in Kerala, Vaishali, Kesaria, Kajgir and Fatehpur Sikri, and transplanted major temples in Madhya Pradesh. He taught in Aligarh Muslim University for 3 years and contributed articles to several publications. Hailed as the saviour of Historical Heritage, he is an exceptionally humble, sensitive, gentle, and loveable person. BUSHRA FARRUKH (PAKISTAN) A well-known Urdu poet, Bushra Farrukh has served on Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan as an announcer, dramatist and playwright for nearly three decades. She is the only artist of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa who has performed in four different languages : Urdu, Pashto, Hindko and English on television and radio. Bushra has three poetry collections. Her first book of poems, Ik Qayamat Hai Lamha-e-Majood won Rozan International Literary Award, while Abasin Arts Council awarded Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar Award to her 2nd collection, Adhuri Mohabbat Ka Poora Safar. She is also serving Pakistan Women Writers Forum as its president. (India) Maitreyi Pushpa was born in 1944. She has authored three collections of short stories and eight novels. She is one of the very few bold women writing in Hindi, who has chosen to write about rural India, particularly the life of

52 the subaltran. Her writing portrays the constant struggle against feudal system which still haunts Indian villages. Among her famous works are : Isuri Phaag, Idannammam, Chaak, and Alma Kabootari. Maitreyi Pushpa has won many Awards, including Katha Puraskar, Premchand Samman, Kathakram Samman and SAARC LITERARY AWARD of FOSWAL. AJMAL KAMAL (Pakistan) Ajmal Kamal is an MBA from the IBA, Karachi, 1988. He worked for an automobile factory and a development bank, before choosing to be a free-lance writer, editor, publisher and teacher. He edits “Aaj”, a quarterly Urdu journal of world literature. He has been translating literary and social writings from English, Farsi, Hindi and Sindhi into Urdu for the journal. In 1998, he started the publishing house, City Press (CP), Karachi, which has published more than a hundred titles in English, Urdu and Sindhi on literature, development and urban issues. Ajmal Kamal has also written articles for English newspapers and periodicals. PREMINI AMERASINGHE (Sri Lanka) Premini Amerasinghe was born in 1933. She is an MD in Radiology, and DMRD (London). Premini is a member of the Wadiya Writers Group from 1998, Member of Association of Commonwealth Literature and Studies since 1989, Member of Association of Commonwealth Literature and Studies since 1989. Her collection of poems 'Kaleidoscope', and The novels 'Tangled Threads', and 'The Search'. For the Gratien Literary Award were long-listed and for the IMPAC Dublin Award. Her other novel is 'Sophies Story'. (India) Mark Tully is the former Chief of Bureau, BBC. Covered : Bhopal Gas Tragedy, Operation Blue Star

53 (and the subsequent assassination of Indira Gandhi and genocide of Sikhs), assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. He was knighted, and awarded Padma Bhushan. Author of : India in Slow Motion (co-author Gillian Wright), No Full Stops in India, The Heart of India, Divide & Quit, Last Children of the Raj, From Raj to Rajiv- 40 Years Of Indian Independence, India – 50 Years of Independence, India's Unending Journey, and Amritsar : Mrs. Gandhi's Last Battle, Four Faces: A Journey in Search of Jesus the Divine, the Jew, the Rebel, the Sage. ANITA SINGH (India) Founder Director 'The Indain Music Society; Vice Chairman 'Punjabi Academy, Delhi Govt.; Member Govering Council INTACH Alliance Francaise; Member Executive Council 'Chief Minister's Advisory Committee for Culture Tourism and Heritage. Govt. of Punjab, National Media Centre, International Council of Punjabis, National Institute of Punjab Studies, Hamdard National Foundation ; Advisor 'Cultural Affairs INTACH. Awarded in baba Farid Memorial Society- 1975. Faridkot, “Outstanding contribution to Culture”- 1997. Harballabh Sangeet Sabha. Jullundar; Golbal Economic Council-2002 ; Bharat Nirman Award- 1990 ; South Asian Travel and Tourism Exchange Award- 2009. Has chaired Seminars and presented research papers on Culture and Media. Has formulated and implemented the Cultural Heritage Festivals for the Govt. of Punjab and INTACH. RAJESH KUMAR SHARMA (India) Well qualified M. Com. and a Diploma in Business Administration. Born on 20 August 1959 he joined the Head Quarters in December 1984 and served also at Addis Ababa 1988-91, Moscow 1995-98 and Abu Dhabi 2001-04, currently in Gazetted Service Head Quarters BSM DIU SAARC Div since March 2006 till date.

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