Ashok Sharma
Name of the book: Gunjal Pleis
Language: Dogri
Name of the poet :Dr.Sushma Rani
Publisher: Highbrow Publications,
Bari Brahamana, Jammu
‘Gunjal Pleis’ is an anthology of poems composed in Dogri. This book comes from the pen of a prolific writer, Dr. Sushma Rani who has already enriched Dogri literature a lot by adding poems, a play, commentary on Dogra Culture and literature. She has translated a novel from Punjabi into Dogri and a Dogri novel into Hindi. ‘Gunjal Pleis’ is her 10th book,so to say. The book under review has 51 poems in all dealing with myriad aspects of life. The poet has dedicated this book to all those writers, scholars and friends who have inspired her for writing poetry. ‘Gunjal Pleis’, as the name suggests, deals with the stress, tangles and complexities of life.
This life is a strange amalgmation of joys and sorrows; of weals and woes; of ups and downs and of hope and despair.One finds oneself so much entangled in the complexities of life that one spends the whole life without the tangles being resolved. Yet it is the determination, confidence and hope for better times, which urge a person to move forward and tide over the problems that obstruct his way.The poet has an incisive mind and penetrating eyes. She deeply examines and then portrays the human sensibilities in a realistic manner and makes the readers dive deep into the sea of feelings and emotions that her words make.The poem ‘ Saunglaan’ ( Fetters) is a revolt against the old and orthodox beliefs which are obsolete and not in conformity with the changed social structure.Such beliefs need to be shattered forthwith in the wake of the modern healthy changes. The poem ‘Vishwaas’,on the other hand, mirrors a naive swimmer who jumps into the ocean of love by power of his confidence.
The poem ‘ Dhiyaan’ pleads for gender equality and empowerment of girls who are conquering the bastions hitherto believed to be the exclusive domain of men whereas the poems’Teri Goda Ch’,’Maan’,’Lado Raani’ and ‘Dhee Raani’ portray the profound sensibilities of human relations which give meaning to life in joy and sorrow whereas the poems’ Dogrey’, ‘and Dogra Des’ highlight the bravery of Dogra men and women and sublime beauty of Duggar.Similarly,the poem ‘Chidi’,’Nadhi’, Titli Rani’ etc deal with the bounty of nature and man’s dependence on various objects of nature.’ Jareela Rukh’ is a satire on hypocricy of modern life and ‘Man Karda Ae’,’Peeng’ and ‘Mahiya’ are romantic poems which portray total surrender which results in sublime love experience and divine communion. Similarly’ Maan Boli’ brings out the poet’s love for her mother tongue Dogri, ‘Kadun Aug’ craves for those times when there will be equality and egalitarianism all over the world.
Poetry is the music of life and real poetry is that which comes out effotlessly straight from the poet’s heart and at once appeals to the reader’s heart and soul so that the reader identifies himself with the poem’s theme.
The poet has succeeded in her mission to compose poetry of such a lofty and sublime standard. The font of printing is quite suitable for reading even without the use of glasses. In short, the book is a valuable addition to Dogri literature and it is worth reading both by a commoner and by those deeply interested in Dogri literature.The poet deserves applause for her keen observation and understanding of profound and complex human sensibilities and for her ability to portray them realistically with the proper choice of words.
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