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Prof. Dr. R.D. Gupta the third eye on his fore head and struck down Kama in a heap of ashes. Prior to accepting Goddess Parvati, Rati- Amongst India's innumerable festivals all the year Kama's wife, performed severe penance to get back her around, Holi is certainly a favourite for having a cosmopol- husband. Lord Shiva promised her that Kama would return itan feeling to it. The festival of Holi begins on Ashtami-on to her and resume the spread of love. He would however, the eighth day of the waxing moon of the Phalgun (Pha- be formless. In Tamil Nadu people believe that Kama was gun) month and ends on the full moon day i.e; Puranmashi revived on the day of Holi and, therefore, celebrate the fes- (Purnima) which either falls on the same month or some- tival in his name. Songs are sung showing Rati's extreme times on the month Chet. The festival is observed not only sorrow and people offer sandal wood to Kamdev to easez in India but also in Nepal and in other countries where a the pain of burning. large Hindu population dwells. In North Karnatka there is a custom that on Holiday the LEGENDS embers from the burnt effigy of God Kama are taken to the homes by the women to cook food. But now under LPG Out of the various legends associated with the Holi fes- and electric stoves in almost all the homes, the embers are tival, the first and the foremost is the legend of demon king kept inside the home as symbol. Hiranyakashyap. He was a very powerful devil. In his fight In Kerala, the Kudumbi community celebrate Holi at 20 against gods, he had defeated gods and because of this temples in the state, according to temple rites, which vary he became egoistic, and issued an order that no one would from temple to temple. In some temples Holi symbolizes pray to the god or even take God's name. Due to fear, the with Durga's victory over the Demons. In other temples, a people started praying Hiranyakashyap. However, his son figure of crocodile is modeled out of mud. In accordance Prahlad, who was devotee of Lord Vishnu, did not obey his with the belief the Goddess Durga is in the form of croco- father's order. Hiranyakashyap got angry and wanted to kill dile, who helped the Kudumbis when they faced mas- The Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, under the of Uniform consent. Any kind of rudeness is totally forgiven on this day. him. He, therefore, called on her sister Holika and asked sacres from the Purtugues, while migrating from Goa to Force Head Quarter, organized an inter-panchayat Holi However, these kinds of funs should also be done under her to enter in a blazing fire keeping Prahlad in her lap. It Kerala. Dangal at Jhangar in Rajouri District every year, where in certain limits. One should always remember to follow a few was because Holika had been granted a boon that fire will In Jammu City, people celebrate the Holi festival with large number of youths take part. Usually Rashtriya Rifles of the precautions. not resort any harm to her. However, story goes that Prahlad fanfare. Before 2-3 days its celebration, many of the peo- Battalion Commanding Officer is the Chief guest and prizes If possible dental caps are required to use to protect ple begin to buy dry gulal, liquid colours, water balloons was saved by the Lord Vishno Himself owing to his extreme are distributed. Such activities enhance self confidence of teeth from staining. and Pitchkaris including fancy ones which lure the kids. devotion and evil Holika was burnt to ashes as her boon the youths and further strengthen the bonding between the Always put on old and ragged clothes which can be eas- Children are now opting for new Chinese Pitchkaris. Holy worked only when if entered the fire alone. Since then the panchayats. ily discards, while playing Holi. Wear full sleeved t-shirts greeting cards come packed with packets of colours. Worship of Holi takes place one day before the Holi fes- and leggings that cover the legs fully. people light a bonafire known as Holika on the eve of Holi Youngsters send Holi greetings to their friends. Sweet festival and celebrate the victory of good over the evil. tival. This day is known as "Holika Dahan." Although there Apply a thick layer of coconut or any other oil on the shops too are busy in selling sweets and snacks. Mirgrants is no special worship or Pooja performed on the Holi day body while playing the Holi. This will not only help in escap- In South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and of Kashmir and Doda district are seen busy in celebrating Kerala the legends are some what different. In Tamil Nadu yet this is merely meant for celebrations and play of ing from the frenzied mob attack but also assist to wash off Holi. Shops of all the Bazars of Jammu remain closed. colours. Holika Dahan is the main ritual performed at the colours easily lateron. the presiding deity of Holi is Kama the God of love and his Since the break of dawn on Hoilday, the groups of young consort Rati. The legend goes that Lord Shiva went in deep times of Holi. People light bonafires on the eve of Holi wor- While travelling in the car, keep all its windows closed. men and women are seen in throwing colours at each oth- ship to celebrate the victory of good over the bad, which To protect the hair one should use a hat or cap. Try to save meditation after the demise of his consort, Goddess Sati. er in all the markets and bazaars. Sati was reborn as Goddess Parvati and wanted to return is called Holika Dahan. from all possible attacks on the face. On the occasion of Holi festival, a function of Holi Milan, There is no doubt that Holi is a festival of joy and colours to Lord Shiva as his consort. But neither she nor Shiva Ensure that only non-toxic colours are used especially is organized by the citizens of various organizations of the for all the people including lovers. However, one must by younger children. Considering the toxicity of synthetic ganas could break his meditation and make him look at districts like Rajouri, Poonch Udhampur, Kathua. In some always be on alert to prevent any accident that may mar all colours some institutions and organisatins have now come Parvati pining for him. As it is well known that Lord Shiva of these gatherings District Development Commissioners forward to make people aware of the use of ecofriendly nat- represents Matter whereas Parvati denotes Energy (Shak- the fun and change whole of the scenario to a sad one. hold this festival with great fervour, zeal and happiness. In ural colours along with resurrection of old traditional veg- ti). Without them acting in consonance, humanity would Remember to use the following precautions to enjoy the some of the places processions are taken out which pass Holi festival safely. etable based Holi colours. Hence, herbal gulals are now come to a stand still. All Devatas (goods) were in anxiety through main bazers and conclude at certain places. Var- Holi is meant to be a rough festival with tradition of apply- commercially available in the market which must be given and approached Kama the God of Love, who fired an arrow ious religious scholars including President Santhan priority to use during Holi playing. at Lord Shiva. Shiva, with his meditation disturbed, opened ing colours to the guests and friends with or without their (Ex Associate Dean Cum Chief Scientist KVK, SKUAST, Jammu) WomenDharam Shabas address Writers a big gathering of the Devotees. of Jammu

Lalit Gupta who paints moving picture of mundane reali- Two women Kashmiri pandit writers Kshma Thanks to the growing credo of femi- ty of ordinary Dogras preoccupied with con- Kaul and Sanjana Kaul have earned laurels nism, the creative expressions of women tingent realities and grass root experiences. with literature about the reality of terrorism, of writers, the so-called ‘other sex’, are now Her other works include ‘Chete Di exile and of human apathy. seen as documents reflecting as to how Rohl’(Sahitya Akademi award-2008), ‘Duggar Kshma Kaul, poetess and prose writer women are negotiating systemic social Dharti’, ‘Ikk Chahnk’, ‘Saak Sunna, Preet Pit- along with poetic anthology ‘Badalon Mein injustice including patriarchy, religious tal’, ‘Nihalap’and others. Aag’, has come out with two novels: ‘Dardpur’ extremism, political and sexual violence Her other colleague in the PG Department (City of Pain) has been acclaimed as a “bru- of Dogri, JU, Prof Veena Gupta, is today the tally frank” exploration of themes such as in present day world. Nirmal Vikram In corpus of modern literature being Aruna Sharma Champa Sharma Kshma Kaul Padma Sachdev leading scholar contributing on various exile, communal history while ‘Nikki Tawi Par created in Jammu, the growing number aspects of and literature. Sim- Rehearsal’, is a piece of resistance literature. of women writers through their textual ilarly Prof Shashi Pathania who was award- Sanjana Kaul, with her novel ‘Pashaan creativity and in the writing practices, pro- ed with Best translation award, 2012, and Yug’ and short story book ‘Kaath Ki Machh- vide a window to their feminist vision of Prof Archana Kesar, other than academic liyan’, is a nationally acknowledged writer who social transformation and change. This research papers are also portraying their is known for her depiction of terror stricken Val- practice of looking at the world critically world view through their short stories and ley, and conditions of chaos and uncertainty. and creatively stems from a deeply col- plays. Aruna Sharma is renowned /Dogri lective nature of feminist thought and also Krishna Prem with her anthology ‘Sur Te writer, poetess, translator and a critic of Jam- by the fact that being a woman has polit- Taal’ (Melody and Rhythm-1977) became mu. Her book of poems, ‘Prithiviyaan’ for ical consequences in the world we live in. Surinder Neer Prof Veena Gupta Shakti Sharma Prof Shashi Pathania Yogita Yadav another woman Dogri short story writer to which she has been conferred with “Hinditar explore the female psyche. Most of her char- Bhashi Hindi Lekhak Puruskar–2009, is about Jammu region due to its unique multi-lin- stories of this collection were descriptions of and Dogri with equal facility. Her books in acters are women through their social roles the women of different levels at different times gual and multi-ethnic legacy, today boasts of the rural life of Duggar in a folk style marked Dogri include Narendra Darpana, Dogri trans- and situations allow a peep into the inner in different moulds of relations. There are suf- many well known women writers who through with simple structure and play of imagination. lation of Vedic hymns in verse, Dogri transla- thoughts and psychological aspirations of the ferings in store for them but they still sustain their creative writings in Dogri, Hindi, Punjabi Padma Sachdev, rightly hailed as ambas- tions of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra’s. Awarded fair sex. Her latest book of stories is’Thahmm themselves like Earth. She has another book and other languages have made mark at both sador of Dogri, made her appearance as a Padma Shri in 2013, Prof. , Te Klaawa’ (Pillar and Embrace-2011). titled ‘Mahakavi Srivar Krit Kathakautak’to her local as well as national level. The trickle gifted poetess with her poem ‘Ae Raje Diaan together with her scholarly husband Prof Ram Some of the women writers came to promi- credit. which started with the pioneering efforts of Mandiaan Tundiaan N’ in 1955-56. One who Pratap, has co authored books like Urmika (a nence before and after 1980s were Kiran Surinder Neer, is well known contempo- Shanta Bharti, Shakuntala Seth and others emerged stronger after a brush with tubercu- collection of poems), Mere Geet Bakshi in short story and Chanchal Dogra rary Punjabi writer of Jammu who has been has today turned into a steady stream of losis and failed marriage with Dogri poet Ved Tumhaaray Hain (Hindi). in poetry. Other women Hindi poets and writ- acknowledged in Pan-Punjabi literary world women writers whose works now enjoy far Pal Deep, Padma Sachdev is a quintessen- By 1960’s, with entrenchment of Radio in ers known for their distinct style are Shakun- for her creative endeavor to break stereotypes better visibility in literary as well as public tial voice of women in general and Dogra everyday lives of people, J&K Cultural Acad- tal Deepmala, Sharda Sahini, Chand Dipi- associated with gender. Born in Kashmir, and domain with the support of All India Radio, women in particular. Her literary oeuvre in emy’s magazine like Sheeraja, the reach of lit- ka, Uma Bhakhri, late Prem Subhash, and settled in Jammu, she has already published J&K Cultural Academy, Sahitya Akademi, Dogri and Hindi is marked with portrayal of erary expressions increased; though the rep- Shashi Padha. ‘Dastak di Udeek’, ‘Khul Ja Sim Sim’ (short New Delhi, local and outside literary NGOs. women in myriad situations such as victims of resentation of women writers remained thin. Anila Singh Charak, the writer of ‘Nange stories), ‘Shikargah’ and ‘Maya’ (Novels). Her Women writing in Hindi as compared to systemic exploitation, belittling treatment, Along with Rita (Langer) Jatinder, the poet, Paon Jindagi’, for which she got State Acad- latest 702 page novel ‘Maya’ speaks of the Dogri had taken a head start when in 1940’s, innocent longing for roots after displacement writer, playwright, radio voice, the other writ- emy award, is a young poetess also known transformation of a woman in pursuit of a dis- Hindi literary magazines ‘Bharti’ and ‘Usha’, due to marriage, resolve to fight injustice and ers who came in prominence included Usha for writing of satire. tinct identity and freedom. were edited and published respectively by wish for a new future. Her anthologies of Dogri Chhavi Vyas whose poems are full of com- Raksha Sahrma, wife of late poet Yash Young Hindi writer Yogita Yadav, is a lit- pioneer women writers Shanta Bharti (mem- poems such as ‘Merri Kavita Mere Geet’, passion and colors of life. She also wrote short Sharma, with her two books ‘Seh Yatra’ and erary star on Jammu’s horizon. Bhartiya ber of Hindi Pracharni Sabha) in 1941 and (Sahitya Akademi Award-1971),‘Tawi Te stories and translated works in Hindi, like ‘Katra Katra Sach’, has made her place as Gyanpith Navlekhan Awardee, she is a jour- Shakuntala Seth in 1943. Shakuntala Seth Chnaan’, ‘Nehriyan Galiyaan’, ‘Pota Pota Kushwant Singh’s master piece ‘Train to Pak- competent writer. Vijya Thakur, Usha Kiran, nalist, who has emerged as voice against through her poems and songs portraying the Nimble’ (State Awards in 1983, 1988 respec- istan’ and edited Sheeraja Hindi successfully. Sudesh Raj and Nirmal Vikram are well dominant male psyche that continues to vic- fervour of freedom struggle and nation build- tively), ‘Uttar Behni’, ‘Dhenthiyan’, have a 1970’s was a decade of great cultural known contemporary women poets and writ- timized females in homes and the society in ing, fired up the imagination of women in gen- place of honour in modern Dogri literature. resurgence in Jammu. Many new talented ers who having moved away from the con- myriad ways and disguises. Her latest book eral. Other women writers in Hindi of those Bestowed with Padamshree in 20011, she is women poets and writers appeared on liter- fines of domesticity, engage with myriad of short stories ‘Clean Chit’ is a master piece times are Pursharthvati, Satyavati Mallick, recipient of number of prestigious awards and ary scenes. Some of these were ‘home writ- dimensions of the public space viz a viz indi- of Hindi prose. Krishan Gupta and Sushila Tulli. honors. Her other works include ‘Naushin, ers’ while others were working women bask- vidual yearnings and aspirations. Nirmal Other than the writers mentioned above, Aftermath of Partition, while the Hindi liter- ‘Main Kahti Hun Ankhin Dekhi’, ‘Bhatko Nahin ing in the newly found freedom of action and Vikram, short Story writer in Dogri & poetess there are number of women writers who are ary scene in Jammu suffered, the Dogri ren- Dhananjay’, ‘Jammu Jo Kabhi Sehar Tha’ and thought. and translator, whose short story anthology actively negotiating the predicament of aissance started in 1944 under the banner of many more. Dr Shakti Sharma was another In this band of new women writer figures ‘Rettu da Ghar’, has earned praise for deep women con-fronting the strictures of unjust Dogri Sanstha brought up a band of dedicat- Dogri and Hindi writer who from 1960s Champa Sharma, a prolific writer and schol- insights into women psyche and quest for power structures in home, outside and ed writers in mother tongue. It was in 1957, onwards contributed actively as an essayist, ar who retired as a Professor and HoD, freedom from the confines of already estab- demands of a culturally constructed masculin- that Dogri’s first female writer Lalita Mehta critic and translator. Department of Dogri, JU. Apart from number lished roles. ity and writing at the same time to give wings came out with collection of her short stories Ved Kumari Ghai, born 1932, is the schol- of academic articles and books, she is also a The post–migration phase in Jammu saw to female imagination into realms of almost namely Sui Tahga (Needle and Thread). The ar extraordinary who writes in Sanskrit, Hindi creative short story writer, essayist and poet a hectic literary output by displaced writers. inconceivable freedom.