‘Sure’ a novel by 19-year old Rafaat Geelani was released today by radio jockey RJ Nasir at Mahatta’s Café, Poloview here.
The novel published by FreshCode Books is the second forayof the author into writing. A host of poets, spoken word artists and speakersfrom across the valley were present at the launch.
The organisers in a statement said an open mic was held inhonour of the book, where several budding writers presented their art beforethe audience. “The novel is set in Spain during the Spanish civil war, andfollows the life of two friends as the trauma of war rends their livesapart,” the statement said.
“I wanted to move away from the common narrative of speakingabout Kashmir, and yet I wished to write about the theme of war which isfamiliar to us” Rafat said.
Ehsaan Quddusi of FreshCode books said, “we strive toprovide our authors the complete boquet of services from editing to proof readingto publishing to marketing all under the same roof. We wish to make Kashmir ahub of literature.”
“It is heartening to see young authors are taking theinitiative to develop a literary culture in Kashmir. I can safely predict thatin the coming years literature from Kashmir will come into its own,” RJ Nasirsaid.
The statement said the book will be available on alle-commerce stores as well as on Freshcode Books Online Store.