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| JK Dogri Channel- A dream comes true for Udhampurians | | | Mahadeep Singh Jamwal
It is astonishing how much enjoyment one can get out of a language that one understands imperfectly. Before diving into the initiative of the JK Channel Udhampur, purported to take its flight on 17th June, a historical perspective of the Dogras and their spoken language 'Dogri', is must to aware those who are deprived of this useful piece of information, a proud for all Dogras. Dogri is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by about five million people in India and Pakistan, chiefly in the Jammu region (In Jammu region District Udhampur dominate) and Himachal Pradesh, but also in northern Punjab, other parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Historical references suggest that the Greek astrologer Pulomi, accompanying Alexander in his 323 B.C. campaign into the Indian subcontinent, referred to some inhabitants of Duggar as "a brave Dogra family living in the mountain ranges of Shivalik." In the year 1317, Amir Khusro, the famous Hindi and Persian poet, referred to Duger (Dogri) while describing the languages and dialects of India. Intellectuals in the Court of Maharaja Ranbir Singh of Jammu and Kashmir, described 'Duggar' as a distorted form of the word 'Dwigart,' which means "two thoughs," Another proposal stems from the presence of the word 'Durger' in the Bhuri Singh Museum (in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh). Dogri is a member of the Western Pahari Group of languages.
Earlier Dogri was taught in Ragunath Ji Temple 'Pathshalla' during the reign of Maharaja Ranbir Singh (1856-1885), but after his death the practice did not remain in vogue. Then after a gap of more than sixty years in 1948, Dogri was introduced as a subject in primary classes. The teaching of Dogri was discontinued in 1953. The Jammu and Kashmir University introduced the teaching of Dogri as a subject under the title OC and MIL (Proficiency namely 'Tilak', high Proficiency namely 'Praveen' and Honors namely 'Shriomani' in 1964, 1967 and 1969 respectively. In the year 1970, literary work in Dogri language was included for honoring the writers for 'Sahitya Academy Awars'. At school level it was started in the year 1983 in 9th and 10th classes as an additional optional subject in schools of Jammu region. It is taught as a subject at the undergraduate levels in the colleges of Jammu region since 1987, as a subject at the MA level at the University of Jammu since 1983 and research studies are also being carried out for M. Phil and Ph. D Degrees in Dogri. The honor of Dogri language was maintained for the first time in the history of J&K legislative Assembly, when the then MLA elect of the town Mr. Balwant Mankotia took oath in Dogri. On 22nd December 2003, in a major milestone, Dogri was recognized as an official language of India by including it in the 8th schedule of Indian Constitution.
Dogri has an established tradition of poetry, fiction and dramatic works. Shiraza Dogri is a Dogri literary periodical issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, which is a notable publisher of modern Dogri literary work, another being the Dogri Sanstha. A collection of over 100 works of prose and poetry in Dogri published over the last 50 years was made accessible online at the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore. The Department of Information Technology, Govt. of India has prepared localized software program and Dogri-English-Dogri Dictionaries, which were released on the 21st February, 2009 in New Delhi.
The Dogra culture, and its heritage, in spite of all above achievements failed to take flip to the desired level owing to the reasons that it was not having a dedicated state television channel yet, unlike Kashmiri (which has the Doordarshan Koshur channel, available on cable and satellite television throughout India). We have been witnessing some program on channels less available in Udhampur net, based on Dogri language and culture among them 'Aao sade Graan' most popular. This telecast had been covering the Dogra concern but not to the level as needed.
The Udhampur District caters to the largest population of Dogri speakers and the facts stand authenticated from the galaxy of 'Sahitya academy Award' winners in Dogri language work that hails in majority from this District. The erstwhile rulers of Udhampur, Ramnagar, Chenani, Bhuti etc. have left indelible prints of Dogra culture and places to their memories that are in shambles at present. The craze of Hindi and English and somehow of Urdu (State official language) is pushing the Dogri language at the back foot like other places in Udhampur also. Some organizations have cropped up in the city towards promotion of Dogri language, through 'Kavi Goshties' 'plays, songs and by other implied mediums. Some Dogra folk lore and Dogra dances are preserved by some cultural groups mainly from Ramnagar and Pancheri area. We feel their presence in many government promotional programs in the District and out of the District also.
My perspective hinges for promotion of Dogra culture and Dogri language on three pillars i.e. Written, speak and visual availability. The voluminous work in black and white, in the Dogri language,is within the reach of the literate only (it is to be admitted that among literate, it is confined to very less forum), speaking in the language is diminishing, owing to thrust of education in English media and psyche of being victim of inferiority complex. It is the availability in visual form that is the strong pillar that affects the viewer to the core of the heart and as said by Nelson Mandela - "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head, if you talk to him in his own language that goes to his heart". The JK Channel is going to penetrate into the hearts of the Dogras. The curiosity to know more about the visionary mind behind the launching of the historic mile stone in the Dogra history, it occasioned me to interact with the JK Dogri Channel team and I could not keep my nerves in control in extending my sincere words of appreciation to the JK Channel MD Mr. Pawan Gupta for his initiative and vision to bring the udhampur on horizons of savior of Dogra language. Creative head Mr Rahul Gupta and field functionaries comprising of Mr Akash Verma, a well known chief reporter and disciplined anchor, cameraman Tarlok Singh and Desk Managers will occupy the front page of the Channel and will be remembered for their tireless journey in making the Dogri Channel, a reality. The efforts of the JK Dogri Channel will definitely bridge the widening gap betwixt Dogra culture, Dograi Language and the society. Absolutely nothing is as important for a nation's culture as its language. Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going and JK Channel will act as a road map towards this aspect. The Udhampur town is going to be honored in Jammu region and people will feel proud of having a fully fledged Dogri Channel round the clock promoting Dogra culture and Dogri language. Language comes first. It's not that language grows out of consciousness, if you haven't got language, you can't be conscious. The article is dedicated as tribute to JK Dogri Channel going to be aired from 17 June 2019. |
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