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Name of Book : Mele Pattanan De
Author : Dr. Jitendra Udhampuri
Publisher : Highbrow Publications, Bari Brahmana, Jammu
Year : 2025
Pages : 165
Price : Rs 500
Dr. Jitendra Udhampuri’s major contribution to Punjabi literature is his mystic poetry.
His path and destination are the same as those of the great Punjabi mystic poets – Baba Farid, Bulleh Shah, Shah Hussain, and Waris Shah. Sufi songs take music to the people, focusing on the Divine found within those who seek truth – singing and dancing in praise of the Almighty – refusing to conform to social or religious conventions.
After Dil Darvesh and “Sajdaa, Mele Pattanan De” is another major contribution by Udhampuri in the field of thought-provoking, poetic, and philosophical Punjabi literature.
Sufi Songs
Great Sufi saints penetrated deep into the hearts of millions, who became spellbound in the atmosphere of Sufiana piety, creating a mesmerizing impact on every heartbeat. Their message of universal brotherhood is the ultimate essence of life – peace, harmony, and tolerance – thereby spreading across the world and making it a better place to live in.
Sufism rules over millions of hearts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Persia, the Indian subcontinent, and across the world, leaving a lasting impact on minds. Basically, Sufism leads to the Divine.
Udhampuri’s Sufiana poetry will remain alive for centuries to come, promoting Dogriyat and Kashmiriyat through human values.
Marvelous Compositions
The 165-page Punjabi book Mele Pattanan De is divided into two parts. The first portion contains poems, ghazals, and couplets, while the second part consists of mystic poetry.
Besides this wonderful collection of Punjabi poetry, Udhampuri writes in many languages – his mother tongue Dogri, as well as Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and English. He is one of the most highly qualified persons from J&K UT and has more than 45 books to his credit.
A specimen of His Poetry Composition from the Book:
“Ik gal dassan mahijee, mein
Hor naan kujh vi kehndi,
Ek ‘tandoor’ hei tapada andar,
Aag hai baldi rehndi.”
O’ my Lord, intense fire burns within me to seek your divine blessing.
In another poetic composition, he says:
“Agg ishq dee ohee janan,
Peen jo ishq payala,
Dil andar deewan lakhinde,
Jeehvan utte tala.”
Only those know the ‘inner urge’ who are immersed in love, whose hearts are brimming with emotions, and whose tongues remain closed and silent.
Here is another poetic quote:
“Hanjoo bhar bhar akhan roven,
Hor naan koyee chara,
Mein saddran diyan tandan lai ke,
Seeta ambar saara.”
Yet another quotable couplet:
“Keeh karni hai shohrat, daulat,
Kaadi duniya-dari,
Odha je ishara hove,
Varan jindri saari.”
What if I get wealth and fame? Worldly relations are worthless!
Even on his slightest wish, I would offer my entire self.
High Appreciations
Many literary and cultural organizations, including the J&K State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, the Central Hindi Directorate, New Delhi, and the Union Ministry of Culture, have honored Dr. Udhampuri. He has received the Senior Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, the National Award for Literature (2015) from the President of India, Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee, and several other prestigious recognitions.
Admirable indeed is the preface of this book, penned by Smt. Chandar Kanta, wife of Dr. Udhampuri, just three days before her last breath. Aptly, she wrote:
“I may not be here today or tomorrow, but his poetry shall live forever.”
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