Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’
It’s a fact that every person thinks creatively and so has beautiful thoughts in his mind. But very few have the capability to put forth their thoughts being wrapped in beautiful words. Now there may be some persons having this extraordinary talent that differentiates them from rest of millions and billions but only those who have consistency in thinking big and potential of converting such thoughts intermixed with imagination and literary values with all dedication and devotion carve a niche as a prolific writer.
Why we write?
Yes, this question haunts every writer and every creative writer has his own viewpoint about it. Some say that they write to lead or contribute in a movement for preserving regional cultural heritage and traditions. Others plead that creating awareness through their innovative writings is their mission whereas some have the view that they write to quench their thirst for writing.
Shivdev Singh Sushil, a prominent writer of Dogri Language having proved his worth with unique style of writing and touching the soul of readers with all his creative works is of the opinion that he writes because he enjoys putting forth his thoughts and imagination in his mother tongue Dogri. It gives him immense pleasure when his works are appreciated by critics even. He derives inspiration from them to put in more efforts in his creative writing.
Shivdev Singh Sushil born on January 30th 1960 in the family of Thakur Inder Singh at village Gurha Kalyal, Tehsil Ramkot, District Kathua, retired as Assistant Executive Engineer had an inclination towards writing right from his childhood. Initially he started as a short story writer and a poet but later on he wrote novels and plays as well.
What makes him different from others in literary arena of Dogri in particular is that he is abundant with vocabulary of Dogri language and makes usage of this expertise in his innovative works so often. In his fiction works, his characters of short stories, novels or plays seem real ones. It shows that he is well connected with his roots and knits the plots in such an artistic manner that even the reader feels astonishing connection. These stories revolve around familiar characters and situations that mark an everlasting impression on the readers because of the content therein and the way it is presented through impressive words.
Till date he has more than 17 books to his credit that include 5 Short Story collection namely NAYAAN DI MOUT (1983), ATEET DE PARSAMEN (1988), SHASHOPANJ(2001), KUN APNE (2014), DADI DA HIRKH (2015), 3 Novels namely BHUKH (1985), BAKHRE BAKHRE SACH (1994), KHALLI AMBAR (2001), 6 collections of poetry namely MERE HASSEY MERI KHUSHIAN (1984), PARSHAMEN DE KANNE-KANNE (1985), IK SAMUNDAR PEERA DA (1996), BHA KISH DEHI JHULLE PARTI (2006), SURAJ CHAREN TAKAR (2017), 3 plays namely FAISLA (1989), MAHA BALIDAAN (2010), EH GHAR MARA NEIN (2015) and SAANSON KI NADI (2006)_ a collection of selected Dogri Poems in Hindi etc. It is pertinent to add here that his several poems and short stories have been translated into Hindi, Urdu, English, Malyalam, Tamil, Telgu and Oriya Languages.
Shivdev Singh Sushil is also a regular contributor as a poet and short story writer for Aakashwani Jammu. Wherever he participates as a poet in Kavi Goshtis organized by J & K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, Jammu or other literary forums, he has the art to cast an impression on the audience with his thought provoking and captivating poetry. His award winning novel BAKHRE-BAKHRE SACH has been telecast by Doordarshan as a Tele-serial under Classic category and a couple of documentaries on his life and works have also been telecast by Doordarshan. Although he has written in Hindi language also but his major works are in Dogri language.
His outstanding contributions as a prolific writer have been acknowledged by different organizations. In 1997 he was awarded with prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel BAKHRE-BAKHRE SACH. For the same novel he was also awarded with J&K State Academy Award. He has also been awarded by Lakshmi Shivnath award for play FAISLA and J & K State Government Award for contributions to literature.
He has also been honoured for his literary contributions by different organizations from time to time that include Kavi Dattu Sahitya Sanstha Bhaddu, Duggar Manch Jammu, Dogri Sanstha Jammu, Ram Natak Club Bhaddu, Kisaan Sabha Billawar, Dogri Sahitya Sabha Ramnagar, Amar Khashtriya Rajput Sabha Jammu, Social Welfare Committee Kishanpur Dungara etc. He is associated with different organizations in different capacities like as Ex-President Kavi Dattu Sahitya Sanstha Bhaddu, Senior Vice President J & K Progressive Writers Association, Vice President Duggar Manch etc.
Like Think Tank of Dogri lovers, he is also much concerned with the threat to mother tongue. But he believes that this threat is more fatal from own people. The time has come to get rid of those who instead of encouraging real talents are promoting themselves since long thus exploiting the language. The different Organizations need to share same platform when it comes to formulate serious action plan for survival of language. Then personal interests or Personal issues should not pave way for backstabbing the noble cause. The writers, promoters and lovers have to believe that until Dogri is spoken at Home, mere slogans will yield no positive outcome. Each Dogra should speak in Dogri with his children and others too. The culture of paying respect to own roots should be endorsed by all.
However, he is optimistic that Administration of UT of J&K will take concrete steps for survival of Dogri by acceding to genuine demands of Dogras unlike step motherly treatment meted to our mother tongue by previous Governments of erstwhile State of J & K.
The honest writers like Shivdev Singh Sushil are an asset who believe in ethics and are honestly involved in working for mother tongue by adding to rich treasure of Dogri Literature with regular contributions in different forms. Let us hope that the Young Generation gets inspired by such devotees of literature.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
