JAMMU, the city and the district, is like a big brother to the other districts of Jammu region. People from all other places come to Jammu for higher education, medical treatment and various purchases. Or, may be, sometimes, to enjoy a meal in a well appointed restaurant of the city.
In literature and the arts too, people from the other districts of the region look up to Jammu. But, does Jammu lead the way and provide the expected succour ? Well, it is a million dollar question to understand and answer.
Please allow me to admit you in a literary congregation where a book of Dogri ghazals was released in Jammu, on 22 July.
The special event was expected to be an occasion for poet Ashok Ambar to rejoice with his family, friends, admirers and fellow poets and artists. It was his book of ghazals that was being formally released. But, the dismal attendance at such an important event of his life proved to be a nightmare for the young Dogri poet from Bilawar. There were a total of 17 persons available in an air conditioned and well equipped auditorium that can accommodate nearly 200. It is a telling comment on the literary interests of the city as also the credibility of the organisation, which held the ceremony.
It pains me to tell you that I have never seen a poet in such a pathetic situation, especially on the day meant for celebrations. Poet Ashok Ambar was in great anguish, almost in tears. He poured it out, when he was called upon to speak at the book release ceremony held under the aegis of Dogri Sanstha Jammu, at Kunwar Viyogi Auditorium in Dogri Bhavan, Karan Nagar, Jammu.
Looking at a very thin number of audience sitting before him in the auditorium, he expressed his unhappiness thus : ” I fail to appreciate this celebration with such a few number of attendees. Out of the 17 members of audience, seven belong to my family alone !”, he quipped.
” We as a family were highly charged to attend this event. Yesterday, I travelled from 
Bilawar to Rajouri covering a distance of 240 kilometres in my car to pick up my wife who works there. After a few hours’ rest, I drove another 150 kilometres to Jammu along with my four family members. My brother in law travelled separately with his family to join us and cheer me up. If you exclude the three members of the host Dogri Sanstha, there are no more than seven independent attendees ! So, why make all this effort for seven people in the audience ? “, elaborated the poet who felt slighted in his own felicitation ceremony.
He could have not been more emphatic to underline his disbelief and displeasure : ” I am highly shocked to see such treatment meted out to me, my book and my family. My wife and children came with a natural pride to enjoy and be part of the celebration of a book written by someone who is a husband, a relative and a father to them. And, here, it is shame and humiliation being heaped on them. It seems like a mockery”. The occasion was the formal release of his book of Dogri ghazals titled ‘Ikk Unjal Chanani’ ( A Handful of Moonlight ).
These are very strong words, no doubt. These words vividly describe and highlight the hurt the poet felt. I can’t help but align with Ashok Ambar. A poet deserves genuine celebratory gathering of writers, poets, painters, musicians and the literati on the occasion to mark the release of his new book. He brings his family to join the expected elite gathering and take pride in his social and literary standing. But, when he gets no gathering, he feels slighted.
For the uninitiated, Ashok Ambar was decorated with Shri Ramnath Shastri Memorial Award for the year 2021, for his debut book of poems, titled “Namaan Savera” ( The New Dawn).
” Travelling all the way from Bilawar, I have attended many literary conferences in this very city. Several times, I came especially to cheer the poets and writers as they released their books. Each time, I had to take leave from my work and spend time, money and energy to come and join you all. And, here I am releasing my book in the same city where all the literati of the region is blissfully conspicuous by their absence.
” I personally invited no less than 200 literary persons from Jammu through personal messages. Similar action was taken by Dogri Sanstha. Let me tell you plain and clear that people of Bilawar are more responsive to literature than you Jammuites. I am sure, I will release my next book shortly in my Bilawar. I will invite you to see for yourself their enthusiasm,” added a distraught Ashok Ambar.
Dogri Sanstha was the host of this book release event. It is surprising that there were no more than three members of this 80 years old literary body. Do you know that even the office bearers of the Sanstha are far more in numbers !
” We can only inform the members, we can not ensure or secure their attendance, ” says an embarrassed Prof Lalit Magotra, a Sahitya Akademi Award winner and president of the Sanstha. “There is a steady decline in the interest in literature and literary activities. This is not restricted to Jammu alone. You can say it is a world wide phenomenon”, he adds.
There was, however, a saving grace to the program. Those who came, were treated to an excellent paper about this book of poems and the poet, presented by Rajkumar Behrupia. I have not come across a more detailed dissection of a book and its appreciation, in recent times, in Jammu. Behrupia touched upon all aspects of the craft of writing ghazals and its practice as adopted by Ashok Ambar. He deserves kudos for his eloquence.
At the end of the formal program, I noticed the poet distributing the book, which was released that evening. As he came to present a copy to me, I refused to accept it as a freebie. As an impromptu reaction , I announced to those savouring tea, samosa and gulab jamuns funded by the poet ( although he was an invitee to the program ) : nobody should accept the book as a freebie. Each one desirous of acquiring a copy of the book, should pay for it.
” You all have come here in cars / scooters that cost lakhs / thousands of rupees. You pay for everything you eat, buy or wear. Why should you not pay for this book ? Why should you act like beggars when it comes to books ? Please pay whatever you wish, before you accept a copy of the book from the author. It could be as little as ten rupees, if that is what you think you can afford, but you must pay”, I said in no uncertain words. Certainly, these harsh and unkind words were spoken by me.
But, did they evoke the desired effect ? Did it go down well with those present ? Not at all. Only one lady paid up; I don’t know how much. I offered Rs 200 to Ashok Ambar for the book. He politely refused to accept. I insisted and said, in that case, I will not accept the book. He was hesitant and I was insistent. Finally, he agreed to accept 50 rupees from me. To douse your curiosity, let me tell you the book is priced at 200 rupees, which I did not know when I had offered the similar amount to the author.
On an average , at least two books of poems, short stories or fiction are released, every week, in Jammu city. That makes it over 100 books per year. Most of these books are published by the authors utilising their own funds. Then the authors approach some organisation of the city to hold a book releasing ceremony.
Most of these organisations are registered with the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. These registered organisations are charged a sum of 1000 rupees and given the permission to hold their event in K L Sehgal Hall in the Writers’ Club building, within the premises of the Academy.
This fee gives them an air conditioned auditoria, which comes with the sound system ( microphones and speakers ). Most of the times the auditoria is filled with no more than 20 people, although it can accommodate nearly 200 chairs.
Each year, the Academy gives certain financial assistance to the registered literary and cultural bodies. I am not privy to the quantum of the grants given. Therefore, these organisations happily take up the book release ceremonies to fill up their annual roster of activities basis while the Academy releases the financial grant.
The generally well-off Jammuites are simply not used to paying for a book. However, they are rich enough to buy a score of each book @ Rs 100 each, without batting an eyelid, if they so desire.
Those who attend such book release events are habituated to be given the book released before them, as a freebie. To make the matter worse, many of them have the temerity to ask for an additional copy of the book.
It may not be an exaggeration to say that not even two books shall be sold, even if the author declares a subsidised price of 20 rupees apiece ! Even a kalari-kulcha costs around 60 rupees. I say, where is the pride of the Dogras ? How come you accept a book from the author free of cost ? Are we beggars ? Don’t we pay for all the things we consume each day, from morning till evening?
To add insult to the injury, after the show is over, a cup of hot tea with a samosa and a sweet, is served to the august audience. This is invariably funded by the author ! If the organisation holding the event can not afford, let this be a contributory effort so that we don’t feed on the forced kindness of the author.
I need to make an appeal to all my fellow Jammuites. Please stop this despicable practice of accepting books as a freebie. When you attend a book release ceremony, please show some grace. Please buy a copy of the book and request the author for his autograph. Then leave the auditorium holding the autographed book in your hands, with a natural pride. That is how the educated society behaves all across the world.
Please make conscious efforts to give some respect to the author. Be kind and make it an occasion to remember, for him and his family, if they are there. Take a selfie with him / then put it on your Facebook timeline. Show to the world your good education and gracious manners. Share the pictures of the event, through WhatsApp or the messenger, with your friends, telling them about your presence at the literary event. It costs you nothing, yet it makes all the difference. This is what we expect from an educated society.
Please permit me to quote a couplet by ‘Faani’ Badayuni :
Rone ke bhee aadaab hua karte hain ‘Faani’
Yeh unki gali hai, tera ghamkhana nahin !
(Tread cautiously in the lane of your beloved !
Remember, even weeping here has prescribed manners !)
So, be it.
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