O.P.Sharma
Prof Ram Nath Shastri has made a singular contribution to the Dogri language and infused a new life into its literary movement through the Dogri Sanstha, a premier literary and cultural organization set up in 1944 for promotion of Dogri and Duggar’s culture. A prolific writer in Dogri, a critic, a poet, short story writer and edited Dogri Sanstha’s magazine Naven Chetna and other publications. Prof Shastri outshines many stalwarts of the Dogri poets and writers. His father’s figure in the Dogri literary movement, which started over six decades back, has inspired many others to switch over to writing in their mother- tongue. Numerous writers have been inspired or influenced by this literary genius.
Recipient of many awards and honours, Prof Ram Nath Shastri got Sahitya Akademi Award in 1976 for his book titled Badnami Chhan, a collection of short stories in Dogri. He was bestowed the Padam Shri title for his rich contribution to culture and literature.
Literary Career
This kandi-clad pioneer of the Dogri movement, worked tirelessly for the promotion of this language and cultural rejuvenation of Duggar.
Naven Chetna, a magazine in Dogri edited by Prof Ram Nath Shastri 88 issued giving unprecedented imputs to the literary activities with emergency of new corpse of noted writers like Narinder Khajuria, Madan Mohan Sharma, Ved Paul Deep, Ved Rahi, Bhagwat Sathe, Yash Sharma, Padama Sachdev to name only a few.
Sustained Struggle
Prof Shastri’s ancestors belonged to Mari village in Reasi district and his father, Mr Gouri Shanker, an Ayurvedic doctor came to Jammu in 1931 and brought his family including young Ram Nath along with him,
Born on April 14, 1914, after completing Matriculation in 1931 from Sri Ranbir Multi-Lateral School, Parade, Jammu, he passed Pragya and Visharad in Sanskrit and then completed the course of Shastri from Raghunath Pathshala, Jammu. Then he obtained BA degree after qualifying English only in 1938 and worked as teacher on Rs 35 monthly salary in Sri Pratap Memorial Rajput School, Jammu. Subsequently, he did MA Sanskrit from University of Punjab, Lahore in 1943 and became Lecturer in Prince of Wales College (now Gandhi Memorial, Science College), Jammu and retired in 1970. Thereafter, he was Senior Fellow from 1970 to 1975 at the University of Jammu in the PG Dogri Department. He remained Chief Editor of Dogri Dictionary project (1977-1987) in the Cultural Academy. This 6-volume work of Dogri Dictionary is a unique contribution to the development of the Dogri language.
Proud Attainment
Prof Shastri has carved out a place of his own in almost are genres of Dogri literature as a poet, a short-story writer, playwright, eassayist and in addition translated some classic works including Bhartari Hari’s poetry in Dogri verses, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography “My Experiment with Truth”. His other important publications also include: Naman Gran (Dogri play) co-authored with Mr Dinu Bhai Pant and Mr RK Abrol in 1956, Bawa Jitto (Ballad of famous folk hero) in 1973; Badnami Di Chhan (collection of six short-stories) in 1976; in 1975 wrote Jhakdian Kiran (one set play) Dharti Da Rin in 1977 and his collection of ghazals, Talkhiyan during 1980.
Mr Shastri’s Dharti Da Rin won him J&K State Cultural Academy Award. His Badnami Di Chhan brought him the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1976. These short-stories have social themes, distinct and powerful characters and progressive outlooks.
(Starline Syndicate Service)
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