Lalit Gupta
Name of Book Jammu Ke Pracheen Mandir
Writer Kewal Krishan ‘Shakir’
Publisher Sahitya Sangam, Kachhi Chowni, Jammu
Price Rs 200/-
In a scenario in which there is dearth of popular literature on art, culture, heritage of Jammu, Kewal Krishan Shakir’s latest book in Hindi, titled ‘Jammu Ke Pracheen Mandir’, is certainly a welcome addition.
Providing a lucid journalistic account of collective heritage of religious places in Jammu region, the present book is a compilation of articles written by the author for various local newspapers from time to time.
The 39 articles in the book give popular account of well known Shaiva, Vaishnavite and Shakti shrines and places located in the city of Jammu and adjoining area.
Based on the first hand information gathered during research trips undertaken, the author while incorporating relevant details gleaned from literary and historic references, inputs from scholars, temple priests, and eminent citizens, has furnished preliminary information about the ancient temples of Babbor, Billawar, Basohli, Bhaddu, Sukrala, Jasrota, Samba, Akhnnor, Shava, Sudhmahadev, Uttarbaheni, Ghagwal, Kandwara, and temples built by Dogra rulers in Jammu city and in adjoining areas including Sui, Kaink and Miran Sahib,
The book also gives details of mythology, history and physical description of cave shrines like Buddha Aamrnath ji, Shiv Khori, Pir Kho, Akhshar Kund, Ramanagar, famous places of pilgrimage such as Purmandal, Sumaah, Baba Dhansar and others.
Kewal Krishan Shakir, who after serving in State Department of Education, retired as Senior Lecturer, is multi-faceted personality. Son of Pandit Jagan Nath, he was born in 1936. A post graduate in History, Political science and Urdu, he had shown an early inclination towards literary expression and his first contribution appeared in the 1954 in the Urdu magazine ‘Tarajman’, published from Ludhiana.
Since then as a multi-lingual writer with equal facility in Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Dogri and English, he has been regularly contributing in form of creative poetry, short stories, novels, essays, articles on different aspects of art, culture and heritage and local deities, radio features and documentaries.
His published works include anthologies of poetry in Punjabi, Parchhawan (1974), Dahrti De Geet (1985), Jhanjharan (1986), book of Urdu poems, Gulshan Gulshan ( 1987), Urdu short stories, Yeh Log ( 1988), Dogri novel Sarkande ( 1986, 1988) and Changing Faces ( brief bio-data of Gandhi Medal Holders- 1969.
One of the highlights of the early career of Kewal Krishan Shakir has been his commitment to values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi. It was for his contribution towards propagation of Gandhian philosophy for which he undertook number of Padyatras to rural and far flung pockets of Jammu region, that he was awarded Ist Gandhi Medal by Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, J&K in 1969.
A soft spoken and kind hearted individual and a true ‘karamyogi’, he proved to be an ideal teacher and where ever he served during his career of 39 years service in Education department, he received respect from one and all. It was for his meritorious services that he was bestowed with Best Teacher’s State Award in 1978 and Best Teacher National Award in 1990. For his literary contributions in languages like Urdu, Punjabi And Dogri, he has also been honored by many organizations including Urdu Academy, Jammu, Nammi Dogri Sanstha’s Sahitya Shree in 2004 and Punjabi Sahit Sabha,, R S Pura.
Kewal Krishan Shakir latest book in Hindi ‘Jammu Ke Pracheen Mandir’ is useful addition as it would serve as a ready reference for students as well as laypersons interested in local history and culture of Jammu.
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