PESHAWAR – The first-ever poetry collection in the Kalkoti language has been published, marking a historic milestone for linguistic and cultural preservation in northern Pakistan.
The book was unveiled on Monday in Kalkot village, Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, at a ceremony attended by hundreds of people, including poets, educators, elders, youth, and cultural activists. The event highlighted the rich literary potential of a language that, until recently, existed only in spoken form.
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The collection features the works of ten pioneering Kalkoti poets, whose verses capture the emotions, daily life, landscapes, and traditions of the Kalkoti community. For the first time, this oral heritage has been transformed into a written record, offering a lasting testament to the region’s unique cultural identity.
This journey began when Kalkoti researchers approached the Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI), expressing a desire to preserve and develop their language. FLI provided training, guidance, and technical support, helping the community establish the Kalkoti Community Welfare Organization (KCWO), a local body dedicated to promoting the language and cultural heritage.
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Through this collaboration, the community devised a formal writing system for Kalkoti. FLI then launched a one-year initiative aimed at nurturing poetry in the language, supporting local poets, refining their skills, and guiding creative work. Today’s publication is the culmination of this year-long effort, reflecting both the resilience and creativity of the Kalkoti people.
FLI hailed the project as a model for regional language preservation and congratulated the Kalkoti community for their remarkable achievement. The organization reiterated its commitment to supporting Pakistan’s local languages, ensuring that communities can safeguard and celebrate their linguistic heritage for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Kalkoti language poetry collection is the first-ever book of poems written in the Kalkoti language. It features the works of ten pioneering poets and preserves the oral heritage of the Kalkoti community in written form.
This publication is a historic milestone for linguistic and cultural preservation in northern Pakistan. It documents the Kalkoti language, which existed only orally until recently, and promotes the community’s traditions, emotions, and landscapes.
The book was published through a collaborative effort between the Kalkoti community and the Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI). FLI provided training, guidance, and support to establish a writing system and nurture local poets.
The book was launched in Kalkot village, Upper Dir. For purchase or further information, interested readers can contact the Forum for Language Initiatives or KCWO directly.
