Jammu, April 17:
The vibrant echoes of Karkaan and Baaran filled the air at Shakti Shikshan Niketan Higher Secondary School on Thursday, as the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) joined forces with the Dogri Sahitya Sabha, Marh to host a day-long celebration of Dogra heritage.
The event, aimed at preserving the linguistic and literary legacy of the Duggar region, brought together a powerhouse of cultural icons, local artists, and political leaders.
A Soulful Start: The Sounds of the Soil
The celebrations kicked off with a warm welcome from Sh. Purn Chander Sharma, President of the Dogri Sahitya Sabha, Marh. The morning session was dedicated to the roots of the region—Dogri Folk Music.
Local artists from the Marh Block captivated the audience with:
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Karkaan & Baaran: Traditional ballads reflecting the heroic and spiritual ethos of Jammu.
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Dogri Light Music: Melodious renditions that added a contemporary emotional depth to the traditional setting.
The session was presided over by the eminent scholar Dr. Om Goswami, with the legendary Mohan Singh (Padma Shri) attending as Chief Guest.
Grand Kavi Sammelan: Poetry for the Soul
Following a midday break, the afternoon shifted toward the literary arts. A grand Kavi Sammelan featured a stellar lineup of poets from Jammu and Samba, including:
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Sh. Balwan Singh Jamworia
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Dr. Sushma Rani
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Sh. Randhir Singh Raipuria
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Sh. Vijay Verma
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Sh. Sushil Begana
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Dr. Padam Dev Singh ‘Nadan’
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…alongside emerging voices like Ms. Heena Mahajan and Ms. Neha Sharma.
The poets touched upon diverse themes ranging from social issues to the intrinsic beauty of human values, keeping the audience enthralled with their rhythmic and thought-provoking compositions.
Leadership Voices: “A Bright Future for Dogri”
Hon’ble MLA Marh, Mr. Surinder Kumar, who graced the event as the Guest of Honour, lauded the joint initiative. He emphasized that such platforms are crucial for the younger generation to connect with their mother tongue.
“I am optimistic about the future of Dogri. We need collective efforts to ensure our language and literature continue to flourish,” said Mr. Kumar, while praising the dedication of the participating artists.
Padma Shri Mohan Singh and Dr. Om Goswami also shared their literary creations during the concluding phase, leaving the audience inspired by their mastery of the craft.
Organizing Excellence
The program was managed by Mrs. Reeta Khadyal, Editor Dogri (JKAACL), who served as the In-charge of the program. In her formal Vote of Thanks, she expressed gratitude to the school and the community for making the event a landmark success in the cultural calendar of Marh.
