Adbi Markaz Kamraz
Adbi Markaz Kamraz, also known as Adbee Markaz Kamraz Jammu and Kashmir, is the oldest and largest cultural and literary organisation in Jammu and Kashmir. It is focused on promoting and preserving Kashmiri culture, literature, art, and language.
Sponsored by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, it is headquartered in the Baramullah district of the Kashmir Valley. It comprises 22 to 24 registered literary and cultural organizations in the valley responsible for literary activities such as promoting research, arranging meetings, and publishing books by Kashmiri writers.
In 2012, it organised the Kashmir Literature Festival, the first-ever literary festival focused on internationalizing the Kashmiri language and addressing the issues responsible for its decline in the state. It was inspired by similar events in Jaipur and Karachi. Later that year, it established one of its branch offices for literary activities in Delhi aimed at highlighting and promoting the Kashmiri language for Kashmiris in the National [Capital Region (India)|National Capital Region].
In 2015, the organisation proposed establishing its headquarters in London and New York City to promote and safeguard the Kashmiri language abroad. It has also been engaged with the state government to introduce regional languages in the curriculum recognised by the Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education.
Journals
Adbi Markaz Kamraz publishes a biannual academic journal called Praave, also spelled Prav or Prave, which highlights the work of the organization and the associated individuals.
Awards established
It has established various literary awards such as Shehjar-e-Adab Lolab, Khilat-e-Hanfi Sopori, and Sharaf-e-Kamraz, which, according to the organisation, is one of the most prestigious awards in the region. These awards are presented to writers and educationists in recognition of their contribution to the Kashmiri language and literature annually.
Digitalisation initiatives
In 2023, Adbi Markaz Kamraz launched an online campaign advocating for the inclusion of the Kashmiri language in Google and Android translation tools, as well as the development of a dedicated keyboard. While Microsoft already offers this option, it remains in its early stages and requires further improvement.