A one-day symposium was organized by Dogri Sanstha Jammu on the contribution of distinguished Dogri writer, Late Sh. Chhatrapal to Dogri literature and media. The symposium was held at Dogri Bhavan, Karan Nagar, in which all prominent Dogri writers and writers from other languages participated.
Three papers covering the vast and diverse contribution of Chhatrapal were read out; on his contribution to Dogri fiction and Dogri satire by Dr. Nirmal Vinod, on his contribution to media by Preetam Katoch and on his contribution to translation by Dr. Bansi Lal. The authors of the papers painstakingly brought out the salient features of Chhatrapal’s great achievements in the field of literature, broadcasting, Radio and television dramas, serials and documentaries.
Sh. Om Vidyarthi, IFS, Director, State Forest Research Institute should be written his designation) was the Chief Guest on this occasion and Prof. Lalit Magotra presided over the proceedings. The programme was conducted by Prof. Veena Gupta, Vice President of Sanstha and former Head of the Post Graduate Department of Jammu University. She also punctuated the anchoring by her well-informed and timely comments.
Sh. Om Vidyarthi, while speaking on the occasion, said that Chhatrapal was a multifaceted personality and his creativity found expression in various genres of literature to which he contributed in a most significant manner. Whatever he wrote, he set a benchmark. Not only in literature, but as a social work activist also, he did exemplary work. His dedication to the cause of handicapped children will be remembered forever. He will be missed by many belonging to various walks of life. Vidyarthi also shared with the audience many anecdotes highlighting his close association with Chhatrapal in many academic and literary ventures.
In his presential address, Prof. Lalit Magotra narrated many qualities of head and heart of Chhatrapal. He said that he was one of those great litterateurs of Dogri who excelled both in quantity and quality. He said that his untimely departure was a great loss to the Dogri literature in particular and to literature in general. He said, Chhatrapal left a deep imprint of his creative genius in almost all genres of literature and media. It is no mean achievement to have written nine books, 46 tele-serials, 1100 television documentaries and 115 telefilms —all of very high standard. Magotra also said that he was a rare genius and he will always be counted among the stalwarts of Dogri literature.
Gianeshwar Sharma, vice president of Dogri Sanstha, thanked the paper readers for the hard work they had put in, the audience and the media.
