Lalit Gupta
Satire, wit and humor occupy an importnat place in Dogra society. The day to day conversation is invariably marked with flashes of humor.
The modern Dogri literature, being the reflection of Dogra values, sensibility and ethos, has imbibed the rich tradition of humor, wit and satire so vividly expressed in folk tales, song, idiom, proverbs and jokes, in form of creative prose and poetry. Which thanks to number of dedicated writers/poets/essayists, today constitues a disitinct genre.
There are many stalwartrs who made humor, irony, and social satire as raison d’être of their creative expresions. Some of the well known names are Hardutt Shashtri, Raghunath Singh Sambyal, Parmanand Almast, Dinu Bhai Pant, Basant Ram Basant, Tatra Smailpuri, Jagananth Kalra, Tirath Ram Sharma, Balkrishan Sharma, Ram Lal Sahrma et al.
In 1950s Dogri poetry burst into new awakening, inspired by Dinu Bhai’s Pant’s ‘Gutlun’ (Titilation) and ‘Shaehar Pehlo Pehal Ge’ and ‘Duni Chanda Da Byah’. Generations of Dogras not only remembered these poems but recited them verbatim in private and public gatherings. New genration of Jammuites can hardly imagine that only a few deacdes before, city’s cultural scene was marked by the great tradition of pasquinade, best exemplified by poets like Mohan Lal Sapolia, who in a characteristic manner fearlessly recited their poetry in city’s bazaars, chowks and other public spaces, and pinpointed social evils, changing life style, corruption, sycophancy etc., and lampooned the high and mighty in one breath.
Inspired by this unique legacy of humor in mother tounge, Suirnder Singh Manhas, who expired on February 3, 2015, was one such brilliant third genration Dogri poet whose poetic oeuvre was characterized with humor and wit in all its shades and forms.
Born on June 5, 1956 at village Majeeha, Tehsil Samba, to the family of Subedar Kartar Singh and Savitri Devi, Surinder Singh Manhas spent his childhood days in a joint family. Listening to his mother, he introduced him to Dogri poetry as she having remembered Dinu Bhai Pant’s ‘Shehar Pehlo Pehakl Ge’ used to recite it to the children.
In 1969, after coming in contact with Basant Ram Basant, Manhas felt as if poems of the senior poet were a mirror reflection of the life of poeple like him. In 1971, his elder brother ennrolled for ‘Shiromani’, and brought home some Dogri books for study. Reading of those works further fuelled his interest and attraction for Dogri literature.
Inspired by publication of Basant Ram Basant’s poetic anthology ‘Hirkhi Diya’ in 1970, Manhas wrote his first poem in 1971: “Ai Dharti Zorawarain Di, Oh Ram Jamanae Aayii Jaeyaan”—. Thereafter, while serving as a Pump Operator in the Department of Public Health Engineering, writing poetry became a passion for him which continued till his last breath.
His published anthologies of poems include ‘Khechal’-1993, ‘Nigghe Haase Bisali Peed’- 2003, ‘Khuey De Diddu’, Part one- 2006, ‘Khuey De Diddu’, Part Two-2007, ‘Douun Rang Douun Raste’-2009.
The subject matter of his poetry was derived from day to day life and targetted social injustice, corruptions, follies, mismangment and imbalance in the system, abnormality, conceit, and false-hood of poeople irrespective of their rank, social stauts, wealth, caste and creed.
“ Zindagi Assein Gi Thoee Duhaari, Mari Ge Kishtaan Tuari/ or “Rakhan Hi Khuey Di Sappein Di Mayee, Auendey Hei Baahr, Cchudi Hi Khaee, Issey Galleyi Assein Koi Shaal
Neyiin Layee”./ Full of sacrcasm, irony and pun of words, peculiar of common man’s speech, his satirical poems, against rotton traditions and false religious practices enjoyed wide appeal. “Kachche Pakkey Da Parham Chakayee Lena, Kahdaa Jaduun Bi Lena, Thankayee Lena”. He showed a great mastery as well as information about present social problem especially while highlighting rural life with humor and satire.
“Gall Garibi Di Dassni Kei, Rajjiey Neyiin Khadi, Te Puhkkhe Nai Reh”. “Saadi Mandi Ch Sun-Saan, Undi Kamai Trikkhi Ai, Karni Kamaii, Jinhein Pehraein Kola Sikkhi Ai” In poetic symposiums, whenever Surinder Singh Manhas read poems with his characterstics stoic countenance, the burst of laughter comes first. Then, all of a sudden, when the meaning and message that lie beneath the humorous or satirical words revealed itself, the audience would become serious.
He will be remembered for his poetic felicity and dictum like style, which while couching contemporary subject matter in humor and wit, resurrected the sagacity of native wisdom in Dogri language for the imagination of modern generations. / “Charde Gi Sabb Karan Salam, Dahlde De Nehiien Beli, Ichchar Mor Premi, Jichchar Khirdi Roug Chameli”.
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