Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’
In flashback, the effort is being made to revisit those historical moments through literature and the books lead us to move ahead with a feel good experience and a sense of gratitude for those litterateurs also, who have enriched the regional literature with their colossal contributions.
On the same path, let us cast a look at ‘TRISANGAM’, a collection of dogri poetry written by one of the most admired poets of Dogri language Pt. Dinu Bhai Pant, a house hold name in Duggar Pradesh thanks to his exceptionally popular poetry that immortalized him. This book has been edited by Padamshri Prof. Ramnath Shastri and was published by Dogri Sanstha Jammu way back in 1985.
Here ‘TRISANGAM’ means compilation of three immensely popular works of Pt. Dinu Bhai Pant like ‘GUTULUN’, ‘MANGU DI SHABEEL’ and ‘BEER GULAB’ in a single book. It carries all those important works that find prominent place in Dogri literature. After detailed preface by father of dogri literature Padamshri Ramnath Shastri, the book starts with undoubtedly the most popular poem of Dogri literature as under:
“GALL TUKKI KE SUNANI, AAUN HA MUNDA DA GE HARAMI
GHAR BHI KAMM HA BATHERA, SARE SIR KHAN MERA
KUDE GODI KUDE GHA, KUDE KANAK MAKKAN RAH
KUDE BAH KUDE DAH, JIND PHASSI GEI PHAA
AIDE LAKKDI DUA, PHI ODE KAPLANE GI JA
ROJ ROA GHARE AAHLI, USI GAJREN DA CHA
CHACHU KHATTA PAR KARLAH, JAAGAT BAKH PRAN KHA
NEH JALE BICH PE, JIND HOI GAYEE KHE
SHEHAR PEHLO PEHL GE, SHEHAR PEHLO PEHL GE”
This long poem from ‘GUTULUN’ published in 1948 was a trend setter in dogri literature. It is said that even before it was published, it had become word of mouth among Dogras. It gained so much popularity at that time that it was well remembered by thousands that proves worth of people’s poet. Wherever Pt. Dinu Bhai Pant used to participate in ‘Mushairas’, it was always in demand and he reciprocated the public demand in his own captivating style that enamoured the spectators and listeners. It inspired many poets to pen down their feelings the same way but original remains at top with its everlasting flavor. Even after lapse of more than 74 years, it still has that extra factor that makes it the master piece of dogri literature.
The other poem from ‘GUTULUN’ like ‘CHACHE DUNICHANDE DA BYAH’ also has the same elements to impress and inspire with lines like,
“IKK DHYADE CHACHU DUNIYAN KARADEN DA
PATA NI KIYAN KISH MAHAJAN HOI GAYA” shows the versatility of poet.
‘GULAMI DA JEENA’ a revolutionary poem provokes the masses to raise their voice against slavery. This thought provoking poem creates awareness among the masses about importance of independence which may be well understood by following lines,
“MARNE KOLA BI MANDA LOKO
JEENA IS GULAMI DA”
Pt. Dinu Bhai Pant did not only write humor and satire but he was a social reformer as well as revolutionist who wished to highlight grievances of masses through his writings. His immensely popular poem ‘JAAG KASANA’ inspires the suffering class to stand against suppression and oppression as under;
“UTH MAJOORA JAG KASANA
TERA BELA AAYA O”
At the same time his eternal love for his homeland Duggar Pradesh reflects through his famous poem’
‘MERE DESE DA SHALEPA MERI AKHIN KANNE DIKH’
‘TRISANGAM’ carries another beautiful and thought provoking work of Pandit Ji in the form of a long poem entitled ‘MANGU DI SHABEEL’ that was published in 1946. The following lines from this long poem speak at length about the evil practices and domination of anti social elements in society not only at that time but has contemporary values also,
‘GUNDE MUNDE SAMA KARAN BEIMANI
BHALEMANAS BHARDE LUCHHEN DA PAANI
BEHLAD MOUJ TE AISH MANAN
BHALEN GI DEVIYAN TE DEVTE KHAN’
It is said that ‘BEER GULAB’ the Khand Kavaya, an important part of ‘TRISANGAM’ was published way back in 1944, which is also the first significant publication of Dogri Sanstha after its formation on Basant Panchami in the same year. The poem has the backdrop of one day battle between Sikhs and Dogras in 1809 and exhibits bravery of Dogra soldiers nicely as under;
‘LASHMAN JATI AAYEE JAMMEA PAKK
GHAR -GHAR SHAYA GULAB DA JASS
DUSMANEN BERIYEN HOYEE GEI KHAY
BOLLO BHAI DOGRE DESA DI JAI’
The concluding lines of ‘BEER GULAB’ show the attachment of poet with his erstwhile country and he is full of praise for valour of Dogras who are rightly decorated as warriors. About the same incident, prominent historian Prof. Sukhdev Singh Charak writes,
“The defense on that day was successful and Hukam Singh had to withdraw his forces. But a skirmish could not stem the onrush of Ranjit Singh’s forces and soon the Jammu state was subjugated. In 1812 A.D. Jammu was assigned in Jagir to Prince Kharak Singh and Raja Jit Singh was probably deposed as ruler.”
But Pt. Dinu Bhai Pant used this incident to showcase the rich cultural heritage of inhabitants of this region through moving words thus inspiring future generations of Dogras to feel proud of their glorious past.
According to Shivnath, “In Beer Gulab, the description of nature is very effective. The atmosphere of the battle comes alive before the eyes of readers or listeners and the river Tawi assumes the form of Goddess and comes to the help of Dogras. The selection of words is in keeping with subject matter.”
It will be befitting to add here that ‘TRISANGAM’ has become an important document of classic works of the most appreciated poet of soil. The new generation who is ardent fan of the classic literary works in their mother tongue is always found enquiring about the availability of such literature which has always inspired others to step ahead and carve a niche for themselves. This book had in fact come up as a fine collection to quench their thirst. For research scholars, litterateurs and Dogri lovers this collection is always in demand for its historical as well as literary and cultural values. One should read it to step into past and enjoy that beautiful ride.
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