Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 27: Life and works of Kishan Smailpuri, well known first generation poet of Modern Dogri literature, were discussed in detail by eminent writer, scholar and critic Prof Champa Sharma, at the Press Club, here today.
The literary meet in which an eminent contemporary writer talks about the life and works of a veteran writer/ poet, based on personal experiences, was organized by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, under its programme ‘Through My Window’.
Prof Champa Sharma, former HoD, Post Graduate Department of Dogri, University of Jammu, in her lecture gave a comprehensive picture of the poet’s biography and literary journey. She said Kishan Smailpuri was a multifaceted personality who other than a born poet was also interested in music and sports.
‘But it was in field of poetry that his genius found full expression. Kishan Smailpuri also wrote in Urdu and was well versed in the art and craft of Ghalib and other masters also and wrote ghazals in Dogri’. Giving illustrations from poet’s selected poetry, Prof Champa Sharma, said that veteran poet firmly established through his poetry that Dogri as a language due to its engendered poetic structure and sensibilities is fit for expression like that of a ghazals.
She said that Kishan Smailpuri’s famous song ‘Phala Spaiya Dogreia’ has been immortalized by Lata Mangeshkar and is one of the popular Dogri songs today.
Prof Veena Gupta, Convener Dogri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in her introductory remarks appreciated such programs by Sahitya Akademi, that help in keeping alive memories and contributions of senior writers who are no more with us. She said such programs strengthen the literary foundations of languages. The new generation intending to know about such writers only read books, which fail to serve the cause sincerely and effectively. But such live and interactive programs with documentaries quench the thirst of scholars and general public.
Today’s literary function was attended by large number of writers, intellectuals from Jammu and suburb areas. The program concluded with vote of thanks by Shantanu Gangopadhyay, Assistant Editor, Sahitya Akademi.
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