Secretary, Culture inaugurate a day-long Dogri Conference to mark “Dogri Manta Divas”

Jammu, December 24: Deepika Sharma, Secretary in Department of Culture , J&K today inaugurated a day-long Dogri Conference to mark “Dogri Manta Divas” at K.L. Saigal Hall, Jammu, in the presence of a large gathering of artists and writers from across Jammu and Kashmir. The event was The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (JKAACL)

The inaugural session was presided over by Padma Shri Mohan Singh, with Ms. Deepika Sharma as the Chief Guest. The presidium included prominent personalities such as Darshan Darshi, renowned Dogri poet; Dr. Om Goswami, eminent writer; Dr. Javaid Rahi, Divisional Head JKAACL Jammu; and Ms. Reeta Khadyal, Editor Dogri.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Deepika Sharma emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting the Dogri language and culture. She stated that 32 new schemes have been approved to advance art, culture, and languages in Jammu and Kashmir. She also directed JKAACL to organize a week-long Dogri Theatre Festival to engage younger audiences and instill pride in their cultural roots.

Earlier, Dr. Javaid Rahi welcomed the guests and outlined the objectives of the event. This was followed by a keynote address by Dr. Om Goswami, who presented an insightful paper on the historical significance and evolution of the Dogri language.

The Guest of Honour D.K. Vaid, underscored the importance of preserving Dogri literature and culture for future generations and called for collaborative efforts to sustain its legacy.

In his Presidential Address, Padma Shri Mohan Singh highlighted the cultural richness of the Dogri language and stressed the need for greater efforts to establish Dogri’s rightful place in educational and cultural institutions. He encouraged initiatives that actively involve the youth in preserving the language.

The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Reeta Khadyal.

The event continued with a vibrant poetry session, presided over by Dr. Jitender Udhampuri. The presidium included Sh. Prakash Premi, Sh. Om Prakash Sharma “Vidyaarthi,” and Sh. Inderjeet Kesar. Renowned poets such as Sh. Vijay Verma, Sh. Balwan Singh Jamorhia, Smt. Usha Kiran Sharma, and many others presented their works, enriching the session with their literary contributions.

A musical evening followed, featuring mesmerizing Dogri performances. Highlights included a Dogri song by Ravi Raghuvanshi, a Dogri Suhag by Ms. Reeta Khadyal, and a Dogri folk song by Smt. Asha Kesar, among others. The ultimate highlight was a Dogri folk song mashup by Kusha Sharma and Chinmay Sharma, which captivated the audience. The performances were complemented by Sh. Rakesh Anand on flute, Sh. Vijay Anand on dholak, and music composed by Sh. Ravi Sharma.

The celebration of Dogri Manta Divas by JKAACL was a resounding success, marking a significant step towards fostering love and pride for the Dogri language and culture among the people of Jammu and beyond.