Nidhi Soni
Nelson Mandela once stated, “When you speak to someone in a language they understand, the message reaches their mind. But when you speak to them in their language, it touches their heart.”
Imagine a world devoid of expression, where your identity holds no significance. While this scenario may seem distant, the reality is that languages are disappearing at an alarming rate. Our future generations may not have the same opportunity to express themselves in their native tongues, nor to be part of a rich and cohesive cultural tapestry.
One such language facing this threat is Dogri, once spoken by 2.6 million individuals in Jammu, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. At the 5th Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Lecture, organised in collaboration with the Department of Dogri and English at the University of Jammu prominent figures, including Padma Shri Mohan Singh, Kuwarani Dr. Ritu Singh and Dr. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu , HoD Dogri Sucheta Pathania, Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust Founder Poonam Singh Jamwal and KVM Trust Chairman Goverdhan Singh Jamwal urged the people of Jammu to prioritize the preservation of Dogri.
Kuwarani Dr. Ritu Singh recalled the vibrant heritage of Dogri, which has fostered legendary talents such as Allah Rakha, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, K.L. Saigal, Padma Shri poet Padma Sachdev, and Sahitya Akademi Awardee Kunwar Viyogi. She passionately addressed students at the Brig Rajinder Singh Auditorium before the presentation of scholarship ceremony – “Cheten Di Lari,” to the meritorious students of Dogri and English and said, “Imagine a language that embodies the very heartbeat of its people. That is Dogri!” The event also saw the unveiling of a monograph on Sahitya Akademi Awardee Kunwar Viyogi by the present dignitaries and a special lecture by Padma Shri Mohan Singh on the works of Kunwar Viyogi. Kunwarani reflected on her own connection to the language and emphasized that Dogri is not just beautiful-it is the essence of Jammu’s identity and deserves celebration, akin to the legacy of Kunwar Viyogi. She highlighted Viyogi’s contributions, noting that he dedicated his life to promoting Dogri through his groundbreaking works.
Kunwar Viyogi, known as the ‘Father of Dogri Sonnets,’ authored over 2,300 sonnets and 26 books in various languages. He was the youngest recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award for his poetry collection, Ghar. His works encapsulate a spectrum of human emotions and experiences, bringing a previously unexplored literary form to Dogri literature.
Kuwarani described Viyogi as a visionary who believed in the transformative power of language. “Ghar is not just poetry; it’s a testament to his love for his roots and his language,” she remarked, emphasizing its themes of culture, family, and identity.
For Dogri to thrive, it must be integrated into school curricula, introducing children to the language from a young age. Currently, Dogri is often seen as unappealing and irrelevant, resulting in its decline among youth. Kuwarani urged Poonam Singh Jamwal, founder of the KVM Trust, to partner in efforts to revive the language’s relevance in Jammu. “We must embrace a new Jammu where tradition and modernity coexist, preserving our heritage and language,” she asserted.
At the event, KVM Trust Founder Poonam Singh Jamwal had addressed the students and urged them to acquaint themselves with the works of ‘Gems of Jammu’. She was of the opinion that until we don’t give due recognition to our own talent of the soil, the world will never recognise their contributions. “Jammu has Viyogi as Bengal has Tagore. Why should we look at Europe or quote Shakespeare when we have gems like Viyogi. If Shakespeare has written 300 sonnets, Viyogi has penned 2000 and has gifted all to Jammu. Now Jammu needs to preserve his legacy, collectively,” she added.
Language breathes life into culture and identity. It thrives when children converse with family and friends in their local dialect. Society plays a crucial role in nurturing a language, and it’s imperative that communities encourage young people to use their native tongues.
Kuwarani proposed a multifaceted approach, combining traditional, contemporary, and social initiatives to restore the glory of the Duggar region. Kuwarani suggested revamping historical sites, launching a Dogri newspaper, and promoting local arts and cuisine as vital steps in this direction.
“By collaborating with organizations and utilizing modern platforms, we can make Dogri attractive and relevant for the youth,” she said. Engaging students through literary events and social media can reinvigorate interest in the language.
Kuwarani emphasized that exposure to local stories, music, and art is essential for language survival. “When a foundation is laid, the language flourishes organically,” she noted. Language is more than a means of communication; it embodies culture and fosters a sense of belonging. Its decline can destabilize communities and hinder economic growth.
Dr. Umesh Rai expressed deep concern over Dogri’s waning status and its impact on Jammu’s cultural fabric. “Jammu must take ownership of Dogri, just as Kashmir has embraced its language,” he urged during the lecture. He called on educational institutions to actively promote
Dogri through various artistic expressions.
“The potential for growth exists, but we must act now,” he warned, highlighting the importance of integrating digital technology into language studies.
The Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust as been instrumental in bridging Dogra culture with the world, fostering initiatives to engage the youth in preserving Dogri. Chairman Goverdhan Singh Jamwal stressed the need for unity among advocates of Dogri. “We must come together for this cause. Silos will hinder our progress,” he stated. He concluded by urging the youth to take charge of this movement, ensuring that future generations inherit a vibrant identity rooted in their culture and language. “It is our duty to celebrate and preserve the essence of Duggar culture,” he said.
Since its inception in the year 2016, Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust – a name synonyms with innovation in art, digital revolution in academics, infusion of global arts with Dogri’s artistic sensibilities, exchange of ideas – all curated harmoniously on a single platform aims to ‘Promote and preserve Dogri with greater involvement of the youth while giving Jammuriyat the place it truly deserves.
A campaign to Save the Language through Art Innovation was launched by the Trust during its inception wherein talent was identified by the Trust, nurtured and then curated for the world. A talent pool of dancers, actors, directors, script writers, singers, musicians, photographers, painters was created and each was provided a platform to showcase their art. Be it international director Aarushi Thakur Rana, who wrote and directed her first play ‘MidSummers Night Dream’ at the 1st annual Kunwar Viyogi Utsav or Shriyasi Gopinath, international Bharatnatyam dancer, who gave her maiden performance in Dogri at the cultural fest hosted by KVM Trust and then Dogri to France at the 8th Kunwar Viyogi Utsav. International Kathak dancer Sanchita Abrol, who adapted her first dance drama on Viyogi’s award winning book Ghar and did her maiden show at Kingdom of Dreams in Gurgaon. She also got the opportunity to perform Viyogi’s patriotic song Prystu – The Yodha at the legendary Manekshaw Auditorium in the auspicious presence of late CDS May General Bipin Rawat and 300 guests.
If in its 8th year, the Trust established its footprints globally with 5-nation tour in US, UK, France, Australia and India, in its 9th year, the Trust launched India’s First All Girl Dogra Band – The Dogra Girls, comprising of Kriti Singh, Cherish Banhotra, and Kashika Bassi.
The three very talented girls crooned Kunjua, a soul stirring love song about two great lovers that is composed and directed by renowned Dogri singer Jitender Singh Jamwal. ‘Kunjua- A love saga’ is a groundbreaking musical composition that reimagines Dogra music with a fresh perspective. The song is a fusion version of typical Dogri music, seamlessly blending traditional elements with modern influences.
While many milestones have been achieved by Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust, the year 2025, when the Trust completes a decade in service of the Dogri language, Trust founder Poonam Singh Jamwal has set a renewed vision, multiple path breaking milestones that will shift the
narrative from Legacy to New India with a purpose to showcase new voices of Jammu- young, vibrant, inspired and committed to the cause.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
