Padam Shri Awardee Ram Nath Shastri—Icon of Dogras and Dogri litterateur passes away in Jammu(J&K)

Scoop News March 09, 2009

CM & Many literary, social,cultural & political organizations condoled his death

Padam Shri Awardee Prof Ram Nath Shastri, was the tallest Dogra who breathed his last on Sunday late evening after living full and active life of 95 years. He was rightly called father of the movement of Dogri renaissance who imitated it in mid forties of the last century and remained its undisputed leader till his end. Though he had become immobile for the last few years, he remained mentally agile and a source of inspiration for all those who worked for enrichment and popularization of Dogri.
Survived by wife Sushila Khajuria and three sons, Prof Shastri was a recipient of many honours and awards for his contribution to the Dogri language and literature. He was bestowed Padam Shree and Sahitya Akademi Award for his contribution to the language.

Though initial period of renaissance witnessed emergence of a gallaxy of poets, writers of prose—short story, novels and plays, Shastri’s genius expressed in all genre of literature and also contributed to preservation of Dogra (Pahari) art as also to pioneer modern Dogri theatre. Above all he was bestowed with unusual qualities of leadership and organizational ability. He made Dogri Sanstha an active cultural organization of Jammu, starting from a modest office in Pacca Danga to its present building of Dogri Bhavan in Karan Nagar. His unique contribution to the Dogri movement lay in providing it with a vision and intellectual perspective. He kept it free from revivalism, chauvinism and reactionary ideologies.

He did not glorify rulers and jadirdars. His heroes were brave men who fought and died for the common man. He wrote a powerful drama Bawa Jittoo, the immortal Dogra Kisan hero, who sacrificed his life for the rights of tillers against that of the landlords 500 years. Balwant Thakur won laurels for his theatre organization Natrang and Dogra heritage by staging his play (on my advice) nationally and internationally. Other folk Dogra heros whom Shastri projected included Mian Deedo, who fought against surrender of Jammu rulers to the Punjabi raj in early nineteenth century and Bawa Ranpat who set an ideal of Panchayati raj during feudal era. He enriched Dogri by translating classics of Indian and foreign languages into it and gave it a global dimension.

Thus Shastri has made invaluable contribution to political awakening of Dogras on progressive lines and laid the basis for a their relations of friendship and equality with other ethnic communities of the pluralistic society of the state. The goodwill he earned of the writers of other languages made no mean contribution in getting recognition of Dogri by the Sahitya Academy and government of India.

The last rites of Prof Ram Nath Shastri were performed at Jogi Gate Cremation ground in Jammu on Monday. His eldest son Ajit Khajuria lit the pyre. Thousands of people from all walks of life particularly literary, social, cultural organisations, political leaders and his relatives were present at the cremation ground to pay their last homage to the departed soul. Earlier, the funeral procession started from Shastri’s residence at Karan Nagar, Jammu.

Meanwhile Various literary, social,cultural organisations and politicalleaders, Assembly members, condoled Prof Ram Nath Shastri’s death.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has deeply condoled the death of renowned Dogri litterateur, Prof. Ram Nath Shastri, who passed away here last evening.

Paying rich tributes to Prof. Shastri, the Chief Minister said his contribution in development of Dogri language has been immense and the same has been a source of inspiration for others to carry forward the literary movement in the State.
Abdullah expressed sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for peace of the departed soul.

Prof. Saifuddin Soz, the Union Minister of Water Resources has expressed his deep condolences over the passing away of veteran Dogri writer, author and litterateur Prof. Ram Nath Shastri in Jammu late last night. “Prof. Shastri, was a father figure who has always inspired young writers and journalists”, said the Minister.

Recalling the services of Prof. Shastri for the revival and resurgence of Dogri language, Prof. Soz said that it was late writer’s inspiration which led to the tremendous growth and glory of Dogri language and enabled it to touch new frontiers of success. Prof. Shastri has left behind a treasure of literary works which would always remain a sources of guidance and light for the future generations, Prof. Soz, said.

President, Dogri Sanstha, Prof Lalit Magotra has deeply condoled the demise of Prof Shastri who worked tirelessly for over five decades for enrichment and promotion of Dogri language.

Prof. Bhim Singh, Chairman of the National Panthers Party today expressed deep shock on the death of Prof. Ramnath Shastri who died last evening in Jammu.

Prof. Bhim Singh said that he (Bhim Singh) was one of the most favourable students of Prof. Ramnath Shastri whom he (Bhim Singh) always took as a great philosopher guide and an inspiring teacher.

He said that in his (Prof. Ramnath Shastri) in his death people of Jammu have lost a great source of inspiration and the vacuum caused in his death shall hardly be filled for decades in future. He said that it was Prof. Ramnath Shastri who has re-written the history of Dogra Art, Literature and Identity through his hard work and power of his pen which the Dogras shall remain indebted forever.

He in his condolence message to the members of the family of Shastri ji conveyed heart-felt condolences and sympathies.

M. Y. Taing and G. S. Charak in legislative council paid tributes to Prof. Ram Nath Shastri. They said that the deceased would be remembered for his contribution in including Dogri in the Eight Scheduled of the Constitution of India. (Read More at www.scoopnews.in)