Rakesh Magotra
As I drove through the winding roads of Jammu, my son beside me, home for a brief break from his studies in Hyderabad. The air was thick with the scent of winter’s retreat and the sun cast a golden hue over the Trikuta hills. As we cruised along, the car radio played an old Dogrikarak, a soul-stirring ballad dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi. The rustic, heartfelt melody filled the cabin, carrying with it the essence of our land-its devotion, its poetry, its very soul.
My son, engrossed in his phone, suddenly looked up, captivated. “Papa, this is beautiful! Why don’t we hear these more often?” His question lingered in the air, unsettling me. Here was a boy who had grown up in the heart of Dogra land but was now more fluent in English and Hindi than in his own mother tongue. If he, with all his roots in Jammu, felt so distant from Dogri, what did it say about the future of our language?

International Day of Mother Tongue

That drive became more than just a routine journey-it became a moment of reckoning. It made me reflect on how languages die, not because they lack beauty, but because we stop speaking, singing and celebrating them.
That innocent question captures a dilemma faced by many communities today. With globalization and the rise of dominant languages, indigenous tongues like Dogri are gradually being pushed to the margins. International Mother Language Day, celebrated on February 21st, serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving linguistic heritage, not just for communication but for the preservation of identity, history and culture.
Dogri, a language of poetry, valor and folklore, has deep historical roots. Once the administrative language of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, it was officially recognized as one of India’s scheduled languages in 2003. The Dogras, known for their warrior ethos and deep cultural pride, have long been the custodians of this rich linguistic tradition. Their ballads sing of the legendary General Zorawar Singh, whose military campaigns expanded the frontiers of the Dogra empire into Tibet and Ladakh. Their folk tales recount the valiant sacrifices of their ancestors, embedding their struggles and triumphs into the very fabric of the language.
Yet, despite its historical significance, Dogri faces an existential crisis. The younger generation, lured by the promise of economic mobility and global integration, is gravitating toward Hindi and English. In schools and workplaces, Dogri is becoming an afterthought, spoken mostly by the older generation. But language is more than just a tool for communication; it is the carrier of collective memory, wisdom and artistic expression.
History is replete with examples of nations that have fiercely protected their linguistic heritage while achieving remarkable progress in science, technology and economics. Japan, despite being a global leader in technology, has preserved its native language, ensuring that its rich cultural traditions-from the tea ceremony to sumo wrestling-remain integral to its identity. South Korea, another economic powerhouse, has invested heavily in promoting Hangul, its unique script, and has simultaneously built a thriving entertainment and technology industry. China, with its dominance in global manufacturing and technological innovation, remains firmly rooted in Mandarin, ensuring that even in a rapidly modernizing world, its philosophical and literary traditions endure.Singapore’s multilingual policy ensures that English coexists with Mandarin, Malay and Tamil, allowing the nation to maintain its diverse heritage while engaging with the global economy.
Closer home, the southern states of India-Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka-have demonstrated how a strong linguistic and cultural identity can coexist with remarkable economic and technological progress. Tamil, one of the world’s oldest living languages, thrives as a medium of literature, cinema and even digital content, with the Tamil Nadu government actively promoting its use in administration and education. Telugu, the language of the vibrant states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, has a rich literary and artistic tradition and its speakers have made significant contributions to India’s IT and space sectors. Kannada, the language of Karnataka, continues to flourish alongside the state’s meteoric rise as an IT and startup hub, with Bengaluru at its heart. The success of these regions proves that preserving one’s mother tongue does not hinder progress but rather strengthens cultural identity while fostering innovation and development.
The story of Dogri’s survival is also one of resilience. Many cultural icons have carried its legacy forward, ensuring that it continues to thrive in literature, music and the performing arts. Legendary figures such as Ustad Allah Rakha, the maestro of the tabla, hailed from Jammu and carried the rhythms of Dogra culture to the world stage. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, the virtuoso who gave the santoor a prominent place in Indian classical music, infused his compositions with the ethos of the Himalayas, resonating with the soul of Dogri. Malika Pukhraj, whose voice enthralled audiences across the subcontinent, sang in multiple languages, but her Dogri melodies remained a testament to her roots.Padma Sachdev, the towering figure of Dogri literature, dedicated her life to preserving and elevating the language through her poetry and prose. As the first modern woman poet of Dogri, she not only gave voice to the essence of Dogra culture but also brought national recognition to the language, ensuring it found its rightful place in Indian literature.Dr. Karan Singh, a scholar and statesman, played a crucial role in promoting Dogri language and literature, advocating for its recognition at national and academic levels. His deep appreciation for Dogra heritage helped bring the language into mainstream discourse.Prof. Ram Nath Shastri, often called the architect of modern Dogri literature, was instrumental in standardizing the language and enriching its literary tradition. Through his pioneering work, he inspired generations to embrace and preserve Dogri, ensuring its rightful place among India’s recognized languages.
The contributions of these Icons of Jammu highlight an important truth: language is not a barrier to success; it is an enabler of cultural richness. Their work underscores that linguistic heritage and artistic innovation can coexist, reinforcing the idea that progress does not necessitate the abandonment of one’s roots.
Preserving Dogri is not merely an act of nostalgia; it is a commitment to safeguarding the identity of an entire people. While government initiatives and academic research play a role, true revival must begin at home. Families must make a conscious effort to speak Dogri with their children, integrating it into daily conversations and storytelling. Schools should encourage bilingual learning, making Dogri a subject of pride rather than a relic of the past. Digital platforms can also be harnessed to create engaging Dogri content, from animated folk tales to social media campaigns celebrating its beauty.
Let us not forget language is the soul of a culture, and its erosion marks the loss of an irreplaceable legacy. Because in dogri lie the history, the music and the undying spirit of the Dogras. And if that spirit is kept alive, so too will be the language that has shaped generations.
(The author is a DGM in JK Bank).

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