 Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 19: At a well-attended function organised by the Duggar Manch at K L Sehgal auditorium here last evening, a book, "Rangeelay Thakur" was released. It is the biography in Dogri of nationally famous classical music maestro, Vijay Singh Sambyal, written by an eminent writer and Sahitya Akademi Awardee Dr. Om Goswami. The function was chaired by L D Shastri and K B Jandial IAS (Retd) was the chief guest.
The auditorium was packed with Jammu's Dogri literary personalities, members of the Central Govt Pensioners Welfare Association, Jammu (CGPWA), Dogri lovers and artists. Among those present included former DGP, Dr Ashok Bhan, former DGO & CVC Kuldeep Khoda, former IGPs C L Banal & Prem Gupta. O P Sharma & K L Sharma, all members of CGPWA. A large number well-known Jammu's literary world were present including Nirmal Vinod, Brij Mohan, Shivdev Singh Susheel, Vijay Attri, Raj Kumar Behrupia, Ramesh Verma, Bishan Singh Dardi
Sambyal, former Station Director of All India Radio, Jammu is popularly known as Rangeeley Thakur in literary circles within and outside J&K. He is a famous classical singer, vocalist and musician who did his post graduated in classical music from Banaras Hindu University. His father, late Karishan Singh Sambyal, an educationist encouraged him to learn music right from the beginning. His journey in singing and music started under the supervision of Chanchal Singh who was a blind and used to sing spiritual songs at a temple at Samba. Afterwards he joined the Institute of Music and Fine Arts at Jammu and learned the technicalities of classical music from B. S. Bali. He had the privilege to learn from internationally renowned classical singer Pt. Bhim Sain Joshi.
Rakesh Verma a poet, actor, and activist of Duggar Manch presented an introductory paper on the biography giving insight of life V S Sambyal as recorded in the book.
Dr. Om Goswami penned each and everything about the life and work of Rangeelay Thakur. authored 165 books. In his address, he recalled how he would note down the talks of veterans in art and culture when they come to his office in the Cultural Academy and narrate their anecdotes and views on art, culture, languages especially Dogri. Sometimes, he would use that material in his articles. He said he has this literary treasure which could become the basis for more best sellers.
Jandial complimented Om Goswami for writing a biography of one of the most talented artists of J&K providing insight of the struggleful but eventful life of Rangeelay Thakur. He said Sambyal is a saint artist and great nature lover which one can realise by visiting his Ashram at Chalani on Jammu Surinsar Road.
L D Shastri in his presidential address commended the literary work of Dogri writers like Mohan Singh, Om Goswami and said they have contributed enormously for the growth of Dogri. He also lauded the contribution of Rangeelay Thakur in promotion of Indian classical music.
Earlier, Vijay Sambyal narrated the struggle of his life with several interesting anecdotes including one when, on return from Banaras after completing Masters in Music, approached one officer for a job of a peon which was declined as inappropriate, but then he focused on UPSC competitive exam in which got through and joined Information & Broadcasting Service that took his to about ten states in the country. Two songs of Mohan Singh, and two of late Gyaneshwar Sharma whose composition Rangeelay Thakur has done were melodiously presented by his disciple Ridhima.
President of the Duggar Manch Mohan Singh, Padma Shri recipient welcomed the guests and talked in detail about Jammu's struggle for bringing Dogri in the eighth schedule of the Constitution of India for which he thanked Jammu's civil society.
Vote of thanks presented by Shivdev Sushil and function was aptly conducted by Dr. Sushma Rani Rajput. |
