Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 21: A book on the life and works of popular Dogri poet late Tara Smailpuri, titled `Tunde Chetech’, edited and collated by grand-daughter of the late poet was released by Dogri Sanstha Jammu, here today.
Veteran Dogri writer, Dr Om Goswami was chief guest in the book release function, which was attended by prominent Dogri writers and family members of Smailpuri.
The highlight of the program was the presentation of a paper by Samvedna Sharma, grand-daughter of Smailpuri, which contained an account of first hand observation by her of her grandfather as an elder of the family and also as a renowned poet and writer. The paper contained many interesting and intimate details of the persona of Smailpuri.
Prof Veena Gupta, vice president of Dogri Sanstha and a senior writer also shared her views about the works of Smailpuri and the part being played in popularizing Dogri among the masses.
Dr Om Goswami, who has also written the foreword of the book and had a close association with Smailpuri, shed light on the different aspects of the writing of Smailpuri, laying special stress on public appeal of his poems , the humour and wit in his works and his phenomenal knowledge of Dogri idioms and proverbs. He said Smailpuri was known as walking Encyclopedia of Dogri folk lore.
Earlier, Prof Lalit Magotra, President of Dogri Sanstha, said that Tara Smailpuri extended and followed the popular style of poetry introduced in Dogri by Dinu Bhai Pant. He said that Smailpuri was a great crowd puller in Dogri Mushairas and entertained all people around him by his jokes, of which he had an unlimited number stored in his memory. He played a major part in collecting and publishing Dogri idioms and proverbs, Mr Magotra added.
The program was conducted by the well known poet Susheel Begana, who is also the literary secretary of Dogri Sanstha. He quoted extensively from the poems of Tara Smailpuri, while anchoring the program. Gyaneshwar Sharma, Vice President of Dogri Sanstha, presented formal vote of thanks.
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