Jagmohan Sharma
Seeing people around feeling prestige in speaking English or Hindi and hesitating speaking Dogri in public has always been a point of concern for me. Where do we lack? Why we people don’t have a sense of pride in speaking our own mother tongue which we proudly call “Maan Boli”?
Even the children of many big protagonists of Dogri language, who have undoubtedly contributed immensely in the field of Dogri Art, Culture, Language and Literature too, are often using either English or Hindi in their daily life conversations.
Blame it on the centuries old education system that never gave prominent place to Regional languages or the mushrooming growth of Private Education Institutes who not only encourage the use of English and Hindi but also discourage students speak the local language. Such type of atmosphere some way or the other definitely makes one feel that speaking in Dogri is something avoidable, less prestigious or simply unnecessary.
Blaming others is the easiest way to be away from responsibility. But it is not a good thing at all. Have we ever introspected what efforts we all have made at our own level?
I have been directly and full fledgedly associated with this language for last more than fourteen years. I have been working as a News Reader-cum- Translator at the Regional News Unit, All India Radio Jammu. In other words I can say “Mere Ghar Ki Daal Roti Pichhle Chaudah Saal Se Dogri Hi Chala Rahi Hai.”
But what I am doing for this language.
Should this sweet language whom people know as “Mithdi ai Dogren Di Boli Te Khand Mithe Log Dogre”, be used just as a means to survive with no concern about it. How ironic it is…! What to talk about others, my own children don’t speak Dogri. A bitter but true fact is that many like me whose recognition, existence and survival is only because of Dogri, hardly bother about the fact that the use of our mother tongue is decreasing day by day especially among the urban younger generation . This thought has been provoking me for quite some time. I wanted to contribute.
However I feel that my effort will not have any significant worth towards Dogri language that has a history of rich literature and cultural values but doing something for the cause has always been my dream.
Few months back an idea clicked in my mind to compile a book for children in Dogri. I approached some people who already have authored good books, to have an idea regarding publication procedure. Everybody did appreciate my idea and even responded positively to guide me. But the potential endeavour was hit by financial roadblocks at the very beginning, in the absence of requisite funds which are perhaps required by bagful. It was of course way beyond my means to pursue the passion any further. However when I shared the pursuit with some of my very close acquaintances, it virtually opened the doorways as there were many lovers of Dogri language all around, ready to help me in whatever way they could. Now there was no reason to wait.
Vijay Bajaj, my colleague, a super-master in translation and a wonderful news broadcaster assured me of getting the manuscript typed by him, whatever time and effort it takes. He asserted that doing something for promoting Dogri as a language will always be his pleasure. Mid-night calls from him for clearing some doubts, are proof of his devotion for cause of language as a lover of Dogri.
Few days later I shared this idea with Divyavasu Sharma, who had introduced Dogri Stickers for WhatsApp a few years back and also has important contribution in a concersion App related to Dogri-Takri script. Son of renowned announcers of All India Radio, Subhash Sharma and Ramni Sharma., the young enthusiast Divyavasu has also been awarded by Dogri Bhasha Academy for his commendable work. He suggested me to instead go for e-book or audio book as it would be a fraction of the cost of a regular published print edition. Also it will have greater impact on the young readers or listeners who are mobile crazy as they would not have to carry a hard copy to read the book. He offered me all technical support in the process of designing, publishing and uploading the book.
In this journey another lover of Dogri language who helped me is Pranav Sharma, a young lad in his mid- twenties whom I call my “Aadhi Umar Ka Dost”. He readily offered his help in recording the book. A wonderful singer & musician and a student of renowned classical singer Sh. Vijay Sambyal (Rangeeley Thakur), he has an accomplished setup of sound and music recordings of his own. He didn’t just record my voice-over but also provided guidance as an expert director in the process.
With the kind support of these lovers of Dogri language, I could attempt “Kahaani Suni Sanaayi” the first e-audio book in Dogri for children that I am getting released on Dogri Manyata Diwas. This book is meant for the children who despite being natives of Duggar Land, are not much familiar with the language. My aim is just to catch their attention towards reading, listening and understanding in Dogri so that they feel the sweetness of the language, savour its sweet typical words, vocabulary and have a wonderful experience.
Now I question the people who say that Dogri has no lovers and admirers.
Love for Dogri was always there, is still there and shall always remain there. There is just a need to ignite that love into flames of passion and pride. Like Vijay, Divyavasu and Pranav,
there are numerous others who have rich calibre and passion and can do a lot for our “Maan Boli”. The initiatives have to be taken by someone, a few, or all of us collectively to prove that Dogri has lovers in abundance.
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