JAMMU: As part of the 76th Republic Day celebrations, the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages organized a grand Rashtriya Dogri Kavi Sammelan at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu. The event brought together esteemed poets from Jammu province and across the country, celebrating the richness of Dogri literature and its enduring cultural heritage. The Sammelan was presided over by Padma Shri Prof. Lalit Magotra, a towering figure in Dogri literature.
Speaking on the occasion, Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JKAACL, highlighted the Academy’s firm commitment towards the promotion and preservation of the Dogri language. She said that Dogri holds a significant place in the linguistic and cultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. She further stated that, alongside literary events, the Academy is actively engaged in publishing books, journals, and dictionaries in Dogri, thereby documenting the centuries-old legacy of the Dogra community.
In his welcome address, Dr. Javaid Rahi, Divisional Head, JKAACL Jammu stated that the broader objective of Sammelan’s is to foster a spirit of integrity, diversity, and unity among various communities through poetry. He also said that a parallel Kashmiri Mushaira was organized on the same day at Tagore Hall, Srinagar, with further literary events planned in Punjabi, Gojri, and Pahari in the coming days.
The event commenced with a felicitation ceremony, where the JKAACL honored participating poets with shawls, mementoes, and publications of the Academy as a token of appreciation for their contributions to Dogri literature.
The Kavi Sammelan featured eminent poets, including Padma Shri Prof. Lalit Magotra, Padma Shri Mohan Singh, Darshan Darshi, Kuldeep Abhishap, Dr. Om Goswami, Om Prakash Sharma 'Vidyarthi', Inderjeet Kesar, Thakur Khajur Singh, Susheel Begana, Satyapal Sharma Gadwalia, Vijaya Thakur, T.R. Magotra, Keemat Raj Sharma, Kewal Kumar Kewal, and Reeta Khadyal, all from Jammu. Additionally, Sh. Gopal Krishan Sharma 'Ferozpuri' and Dr. Lekh Raj Sharma from Punjab, as well as Vikas Magotra, Smt. Neha Sharma, and Smt. Kajal Suri from Delhi, participated in the event. The proceedings of the Sammelan were conducted by Padma Shri Mohan Singh, whose adept moderation added depth and commitment to the poetic session.
The event attracted a huge audience, including many renowned artists and writers including Dr. Lalit Gupta, Ravinder Koul, Dr. A.S. Amn, Dr. Baljeet Raina and others. The event witnessed an overwhelming response from the audience, with the presence of renowned literary figures such as Dr. Lalit Gupta, Ravinder Koul, Dr. A.S. Amn, Dr. Baljeet Raina, and others, further enriching the cultural ambiance of the gathering.
The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Sanjeev Rana, Additional Secretary, JKAACL, acknowledging the contributions of poets, literary enthusiasts, and organizers. The overall proceedings of the event were meticulously anchored by Parveen Sharma.
