Subash Brahamanu
Languages connect us and break down barriers when we unite to nurture the best in us and help each other succeed. Every language has charm and beauty of its own irrespective of whether the language is local, regional, National or international. It is well known to all that our country is a land of diversified languages and State of Jammu and Kashmir is no exception to it.
Apart from Kashmiri, Dogri and Ladakhi a number of other local languages including Pahari, Gojri, Bhaderwahi, and Gaddi are spoken in different parts of our State.
Gaddi language is a very beautiful typical and unique in itself. Gaddi language is widely spoken and mother tongue of people of not only from Gaddi community but also it is mother tounge of scores of other casts including Sippi, Gaddi-Brahmin, and Rehaade living in upper reaches of Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts of Jammu region. Morover, Gaddi language is one and only local dialect spoken by entire population in some of the areas of district Udhampur and Kathua which includes areas like Pachound, Chappar, Dhaggar, Jageer, Duggan, Daohla, Dulangal and many others.
Gaddi language and folk is one of the ancient and unique culture in Jammu and Kahmir. There are large number of traditional Gaddi folk songs meant to be sung differently on different occasions. In Gaddi language special songs are available for different ceremonies like marriage songs, festival songs, songs of sessions, activity songs, etc. Marriage songs includes songs on bride, groom, parents and relatives of bride and groom. Songs in Gaddi language very often depicts the emotions of all kinds, some songs are purely romantic while others give message of mishappenings, uncertain and teasing events, memories and experiences of life. Gaddies are traditionally the followers of Lord Shiva and there are specific devotional songs in Gaddi language majority of which are dedicated to Lord Shiva and are popularly known as (Anchli) in local Dialect. Numerous cradle song for kids are also available in Gaddi Language.
Alongwith songs Gaddi language has its own treasure of literature like imaginary Stories, short stories, stories of bravery and miracles, poems, riddles, idioms and phrases and tongue twisters.
Having known the fact that Gaddi language has a sufficient traditional literature and history of its own and more impartantly a bulk of population in more than five districts of Jammu and Kashmir speaks this language as their mother tongue, now question arises whether there is any provision, plan or assistance from Government to preserve, promote and develop this Gaddi language ? The answer is certainly no. It is very unfortunate that even the name of Gaddi language does not exist in the list of departments and agencies working and dealing with the task of promoting art, languages and culture of the State.
It is good to see that Radio Kashmir Jammu is providing platform to some of the local languages by broadcasting daily and weekly programmes from its primary services including programmes in Gojri, Pahari and Bhaderwahi languages but unfortunately name of Gaddi language is yet to be included in in this category.
Therefore, in nutshell it is very humbely requested to Director Radio Kashmir Jammu to kindly provide space to broadcast a programme from Primary Services of Radio Kashmir Jammu in Gaddi language atleast once in the week.
Further, it is requested to Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs and also to Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting that keeping in view mentioned facts and figures about Gaddi language kindly intervene in this context and take required steps to promote and preserve the cultural and literary value of Gaddi language. Last but not the least, it is a request as well as an invitation to languages related scholars and researchers of Universities to work on Gaddi language in Jammu and Kashmir so that an exact and impartial data may reach to the State and Center Governments about this largely spoken beautiful language particularly in the mountainous belt of Jammu region.
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