Ashok Sharma
Dogri is an Indo- European language which is spoken by a large number of people living across the Duggar region comprising Jammu division of J& K, parts of Himachal Pradesh and the Punjab.Though there was not much literature in Dogri language upto the end of the 19th century, the literary giants such as Ram Nath Shastri, KS Madhukar,Narsingh Dev Jamwal,Prakash Premi and many others contributed rich literature in different genres to give Dogri a distinct identity of its own in the twentieth century.The setting up of Dogri Sanstha, the Department of Dogri in the University of Jammu and inclusion of Dogri in the 8th schedule of the Indian constitution are other landmarks which helped a lot in promotion of this language.Today Dogri boasts of a rich and varied literature which includes Histories,Novels, Epic Poems, short poems,Dramas,short stories etc.But the most beautiful flowers in the garden of Dogri literature are the Dogri folk songs which reflect varied themes such as the grandeur of Dogras,beauty of Duggar, glory of Gods and Goddesses, hard life of the people and of course, love and pangs of separation of lovers etc.Dogri songs are melodious and soothing to the ears and mind.The famous song ‘Dharein Dhooran payian, kandia pia barsala’ depicts the impact of rainy season in arid areas and mountains which are respectively enveloped in dense mist and fog.The husband also questions his wife as to what relation she has got with the person wearing the black shirt.Many Dogri folk songs depict the theme of the pangs of separation suffered by the desperate lovers.The song ‘Kapre dhuan kane ruan Kunjua’ depicts the famous love story of Kunju and Chachalo and highlights the pangs of separation of the lovers as also the risks involved in love.Chanchalo warns Kunju against venturing to meet her at the risk of his life as there are enemies lurking around.One of the oldest and most popular folk songs ‘Chan mara charya te charya upper Bave’ also depicts the beloved’s desperation or longing to unite with her lover but the mighty Tawi river,being in spate,is a hurdle difficult to surpass to materialize the meeting between the passionate lovers.The song reminds the listeners of the fury of river Tawi in the month of September last year when it wrecked heavy havoc along its banks washing away one of bridges built on it. ‘Phirniaan char chafere banni de banere’ expresses the feelings of a wife who pines to meet her husband serving away from home.The song ‘Kun hein to gabru banka shailra’ depicts a piquant situation in which a wife fails to recognise her husband who has been away from her for a long time.She is unhappy and sad due the separation from her husband on the one hand and being tortured by her mother-in-law on the other.
The song ‘Uchiaan lamia daaliaan ni maye wich gujridi peeng ve maiya’ exhorts the lover to have a swing with the beloved. Dogri songs have also been sung by the famous national singers.The song sung by the melody queen Lata Mangeshwar viz ‘Bhala Sapaiya Dogria’ also deals with the theme of love and separation in which the pining wife refers to the beauty of nature and urges her husband to come on leave to meet her.Not only this, Dogri songs also express parental love and affection for the children.The song ‘Tu mala tu log panan thikrian badaam panne tu’ in the form of a lullaby which depicts maternal affection for the son wishing for the child’s prosperity, wellbeing and bright future. Dogri songs also have an element of sadness in them. For example the famous song ‘ Uchian sanglan bani gayian kinghan jaana pashanue kol’ sung by famous singer, Bhupinder Singh sums up the lover’s desparation at the hurdles created by the society in the ways of the lovers. The song ‘Chuha meri odni tooki gaya’ deals with the commonplace theme of the menace of pests causing damage to the household items.
Some Dogri songs express the wiles of women.The song ‘uthi kaleje peer oon mein nahi bachana’ is an attempt by the wife to compel her husband to serve her sincerely take care of her whereas the song ‘Kaisa laga goriye paharein da basna’ is an attempt by a youth living in mountainous region to woo the urban lass by describing the beauty and grandeur of the mountains.Some Dogri folk songs such as ‘ Kaaleya ve mora mari gayian dukhan de naal’ expresses the lady’s desire to share her grief with the black peacock. Similarly the song ‘ Dhakki nahi chrondi ho, kleje peer hondi ho’and ‘Kaimblo pake rang kaala ho, dhaki nahin chrondi, peda pala ho’ shows the feelings and troubles of a woman who finds difficulty in climbing steep ascent and heavy snowfall on the path. ‘Aaun galania sach oh mere Banku dia Chachua mele gi leyi chal kach oh mere Baanku dia Chachua’ is one such song which expresses a woman’s desire to go to the fair to find a respite from the household drudgery. ‘Mithri hai Dogrein di Boli te Khand mithe lok Dogre’ is a famous song sung by Mahendra Kapoor, which highlights the true character of Dogras who are polite, well mannered, truthful and brave.Then there are various nuptial songs sung on the eve of the marriage of girls and boys. In the songs on the occassion of the daughter’s marriage called ‘suhaags’, the daughter addresses her parents and other relatives in a poignant and emotional manner.These nuptial songs express the bride’s feelings about her departure from the paternal home for the home of her in laws.In these songs, the daughter addresses her parents in such a sentimental and poignant manner that the people can’t help shedding tears at the fact that the daughter is destined to leave her paternal home sooner or later to start a new life at the home of her inlaws.Usually, paternal home is depicted as a source of love and affection while the in laws home is a source of tyranny and torture in such songs.
‘Ambia haith kheldia do Banjare aaye shup ja shup ja dhiye ladliye tere sauriye aaye’ shows sentimental and emotional feelings of a mother who notices the inlaws of her daughter coming to forge a relation of their son with the former’s daughter. ‘Ghourians’ which are the counterparts of ‘suhaags’ are sung by the sisters and other women of the groom’s family pertain to the activities of the groom on the day of the marriage, his ceremonial bath, his elegant dress, are sung express the overwhelming emotion of joy and delight on his marriage. ‘Sithnis’ are another form of jesting songs sung by the women of the bride’s family before solemnisation of marriage.These songs are addressed to the groom and the members of his family making fun of them. Folk songs also deal with the domestic chores and hard life of the Duggar women and they sing it without any inhibition as and when they find occassion by assembling at the marriage function, fairs and festivals.Yet another form of folk songs are the ‘ Chhands’ sung by the women of the bride’s family after the solemnisation of marriage.These songs are usually sung by the bride’s sister(sali) and friends evoking great fun and laughter for the groom who is also asked to sing chhands.Thent here are many folk songs which have Himachali tinge or have been harmonised with the Himachali language.
Dogri folk songs are the repositories of Dogra culture, beliefs, rituals, mores etc.They deal with diverse themes and present a wide spectrum of experiences from ordinary to extraordinary, sorrow to joy, from birth to death.Moreover, no specialized instrument is required to sing these songs.These songs can be sung and performed only by using ‘dholk’, clanging by the ring and by clapping hands to join and appreciate the singers singing these songs. Dogri songs,especially the folk songs are losing there charm and craze among the youth who seem to be more interested in Punjabi, Bollywood and English songs.Thus, there is an urgent need to promote these songs.To promote folk songs, competiions in folk songs on the pattern of devotional song /patriotic song competitions ought to be held at school, panchayat, and District level etc.Folk songs need to be played on special occassions such as Republic Day functions and other Government and private functions.Children need to be exposed and encouraged to hear and sing Dogri songs and watch Dogri films some of which did brisk business over the last few years.They ought to be made tax free and screened free for the school children.The Dogri folk songs link our past with our present and future and as such sincere efforts must be made to promote and preserve them. The Dogri songs are available on CDs on various themes catering to varying tastes and aptitude need to be promoted as such as they are in no way less entertaining, musical and philosphical than Punjabi and Hindi songs.They are our cultural worth and treasure and need to be preserved for the transmission of culture to the posterity.The starting of a full time ‘Duggar TV Channel’ on the pattern of’ Kashir Channel’can also help a lot in promoting Dogri folk songs.
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