Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: Dogri Sanstha Jammu, in association with Jammu Cultural Forum, launched an audio-visual CD of folk singer Manju Bala of Udhampur.
The CD entitled ‘Kankaan Pakkiyan’ contains two Dogri songs, and a poem, each of Padma Sachdev and Sita Ram Sapolia. All the songs in the CD are sung by Manju Bala, the music of which has been composed by veteran Music Maestro Sham Sajan. Manju Bala has also acted in the visualization of the songs.
The programme was presided over by Prof Lalit Magotra, President of Dogri Sanstha, in which Gianeshwar Sharma, a renowned Dogri Poet was the chief guest. Prof Veena Gupta, also a senior writer, was the guest of honour and Sita Ram Sapolia was special guest.
In addition to the screening of a part of the released CD, the highlight of the function was a musical programme in which Sham Sajan, Satvir Jamwal, Gursharan Kour, Bua Ditta and Sunandini Jamwal, all well-known artistes of J&K, sang Dogri Geets & Ghazals of prominent Dogri poets.
Those who provided accompaniment on musical instruments include, Krishan Kumar on Synthesizer, Sonu Kumar on Tabla and Sham Sajan on Harmonium.
Ravinder Kaul conducted and anchored the proceedings. Sham Sajan gave a brief introduction of the contents of the CD and highlighted the efforts of all who contributed to this project.
Prof Lalit Magotra, while speaking, said that musical rendering of Geets & Ghazals play a very significant role in popularizing the language and the poetry. He said, more such efforts should be made by all concerned to fill this gap in the field of Dogri language. Gianeshwar, in his speech, appreciated the dedication and spirit of Manju Bala, who has brought out this CD, purely by her efforts without any financial support from anywhere. He said that she deserves to be encouraged and urged all to buy her CD.
Prof Veena Gupta urged the present Government to provide financial assistance to the artists to produce audio-visual and audio CDs in Dogri to promote Dogri language and Dogra culture. Sita Ram Sapolia said that this initiative of Manju Bala will go a long way in promoting the Dogri language. At the end, Dr Nirmal Vinod, General Secretary, Dogri Sanstha Jammu, presented the vote of thanks.
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