Prem Nath Dar

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Prem Nath Dar (Dhar)
Born Prem Nath Dar (Dhar)
(1914-07-25)25 July 1914
Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India
Died 6 September 1976(1976-09-06) (aged 62)
New Delhi, India
Occupation Writer, Short Story
Notable work(s) Collections of Urdu short stories Kaghaz ka Vasudev, Neeli Aankhein and Chinaron ke Saaye Mein, Opera in Kashmiri Zu Gebar, & other Short Stories

Prem Nath Dar (25 July 1914 – 6 September 1976) an Urdu language short story writer from the Kashmir Valley. His short stories are generally recognised as progressive writings of mid twentieth century [(page 463 para 2.75[1]&[2]][3] He was a multifaceted personality who joined the “Kashmir Movement”, led by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah during the late 1930s and1940’s, for social & political reforms. He shifted to Delhi in 1943 on the advice of Sheikh Abdullah. In the later stages of his life, in his spare time, he used to write short stories[4][5][6][7][8][9] besides being always involved with Kashmiri cultural and social activities Delhi. He was the President of the Kashmiri Sahayak Samiti, New Delhi, for a very long time.[10][11] He was also the President of Kashmiri House Building Society, New Delhi, where he was instrumental in ensuring the then Kashmiris settled in a colony in Delhi. which is now known as Pamposh Enclave.

Early years in the Kashmir Valley

Prem Nath Dar was born on 25 July 1914 in a Kashmiri Pandit family[12] settled in Badiyar Bala near Ganpatiyar, Habbakadal, Srinagar, Kashmir (Present day J & K, state of India). For his degree in Bachelor of Arts (Graduation) he joined S. P. College, Srinagar and chose- Philosophy, English, History and Urdu. He left for Lahore to receive higher education. He was influenced by the teachings of Marx and Lenin and joined the Marxist party in 1937 and assisted in translation of Marxist literature in Urdu. At the time of his graduation Sher e Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah's Muslim Conference was agitating against the state government. To widen the struggle he invited non-Muslims to join this politico-social struggle, and re named the party to the "National Conference". Prem Nath Dar was among the first batch of non Muslims to join him[13] and he proposed a secular party flag for the new party- National Conference, which was immediately accepted.[14] The party, even in the year 2011 has the same flag. In the year 1975 when the party constitution had to be revised, he, as the Adviser to the then Chief Minister Mr. Sheikh Abdullah,[15] was part of the team led by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, which contributed in revising the party constitution.

Settling down in Delhi

Meanwhile, the agitation against the Maharaja intensified during the late 1930s and to link this movement with the Congress party's strong national movement against the British in India, Prem Nath Dar left for Kashmir State for British India. The Indian political leaders of national level in Delhi, could not support National Conference’s struggle in Kashmir as it was against the native Maharaja and not the British. While in Delhi, he married his land lord's daughter Kumari Lalita Bhat (name changed after marriage- Mrs Prem Pratima Dar)of Chaurasi Ghanta, Bazaar Sitaram, Delhi.

He worked as an English sub-editor in The Hindustan Times. But, it was in Urdu writing that he would always be in his best, as he was groomed in the Urdu language from the childhood. Also, Urdu was commonly read and spoken in Delhi and was the national language of British India. He later joined the Statesman in 1947 and was editor of the Indian Listener. After India's independence he worked in the All India Radio and retired as the Deputy Director General in 1973.

Transformation to a short story writer

in early 1940s, while in Delhi he got in touch with Urdu literary circle Halqa-e Arbab-e Zauq and started writing short stories in Urdu. To make his characters alive and closer to reality he took help from his wife in getting familiar with spoken phrases and terminologies in day to day life of Delhi city. This helped him in creating different characters of society living in Delhi, at various levels of social system. The writers of Halqae Arbab Zauq used to meet at his house in Sita Ram Bazaar which was attended by some known writers of that time, to name a few- Devendra Satyarthi, Josh Malihabadi, Arsh Malciani Jagan Nath, Sagar Nizami, Rewati Sharan Sharma, besides others. The venue later changed to Delhi College, Delhi. After the 1960s his responsibilities at the All India Radio kept him occupied leaving less time for literary activities. [,[2][16][17]] and[18]

Writing style

His writings were deeply influenced by the Marxist writings of the then progressive writers of India and his readings of the Russian literature, which left deep impressions of the socialistic ideology. The socio-political movements and the social structure of that time in India also played a significant role in molding his writing style. His association with the then progressive writers of Halqae Arbab Zauq galvanised his writings to give strong messages of social reforms.

Prem Nath Dar’s first collection of short story Kaghaz Ka Vasudev aur dighar afsaaney [19] was the first presentation of Halqae Arbab Zauq, Delhi (Halqae Arbab Zauq ki paheli pesh kash.) Halqae Arbab Zauq was a popular literary circle in Delhi providing a platform to budding writers in Urdu.[20] It was an instant success and was appreciated by leading Urdu Writers of that time from India- Salahuddin Ahamad, Syyed Ahtesshan Hussein, Josh Malihabadi and Pakistan- Maulana Salahuddin Ahamad, editor Adabi Duniya, Lahore [21] Article on Mr. Prem Nath Dar and his writing style in a book titled "Hamara Adab, Shakhsiat Number-2 by Md. Yusuf Taing; Editor Md. Ahamad Andrabi in 1985–86 under the auspices of The Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Language, Srinagar. Dr. Mansoor Ahmad Mir, Associate Professor, Dept of Urdu, University of Kashmir, wrote a book in 2006 titled "Prem Nath Dhar Aur Jadeed Afsana. The book focuses on writing style of Prem Nath Dhar (Dar)[22] Mr. Isharat Ali, a M Phil student from the Urdu Department of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, has completed his research topic "Prem Nath Dar ki Afsaana Nigaari ka Mutala," which is approved by the Jamia in 25 June 2012 [23] Dr. Brij Premi wrote an article on Mr. Prem Nath Dar published in Koshur Samachar, printed in December 1988.[21]

The Urdu Department of University of Kashmir has prescribed his short story "Kaghaz ka Vasudev" for their M.A. Programme (Urdu).[21] He established his name as an Urdu short story writer in the entire subcontinent. Kaghaz ka Vasudev was followed by many more short stories depicting harsh realities of social life in Kashmir and in Delhi through various characters and situations existing in the middle era of the 20th century, which are relevant even today.

His second collection of short stories was Neeli Aankhen, which did not do as well as his first collection.

Literary works

a) Some of the famous short stories written by him were-
1. Kaghaz ka Vasudev
2. Doodh,
3. Uttarai,
4. Aakh Thoo,[24][25]
5. Jawan,
6. Zanshirin,
7. Gidh,
8. Chadawa,
9. Kofta,
10. Neeli Aankhen,[26]
11. Geet Ke Chaar Bol,
12. Paani se Gadha Lahu,
13. Bhoot Pret,
14. Faayada be Faayada,
15. Beech Andherey,
16. Zindagi ke Ghoont,
17. Neeli Botal,
18. Dinon ka Pher,
19. Tehalil Nafsee,
20. Ghalat Phehami,
21. Turdi Bus and various other short stories.
22. Khirki[27]
b) His first collection of short stories was published as a book in 1949 titled as “Kagaz Ka Vasudev”.[28]
Subsequently, his second collection of short stories was published in the 1960s titled “Neeli Aankhen”.[29]
c) His only play in Hindi “Ghar Ki Baat’ was shortlisted for an award but not finally selected by Sahitya Academy.
d) He wrote, produced and directed a musical opera in Kashmiri language titled “Zu Gebar”,[30][31] (two sons), on a secular theme characterising two sons of the same soil of Kashmir, one chose Islam while the other Hinduism.
e) After his death in 1976 his sons Yug Prakash Dar and Jag Prakash Dar published his selected short stories of his life titled “Chinaron Ke Saye Mein”.

Later years

When Sheikh Abdullah signed an accord in 1975 with the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi, he remembered his old comrade. The Sheikh recalled Prem Nath Dar to Srinagar, to serve him and the National Conference party, as his Press & Publicity Advisor.[15] He died suddenly in September 1976 at his residence in B 20 Pamposh Enclave, New Delhi, due to heart failure. As an obituary Mr. Shamim Ahmed Shamim, ex Member Parliament from Srinagar wrote an article named "Prem Nath Dar- Mera Yaar" (Prem Nath Dar- My Pal), which was printed in the Urdu daily "Aina" published from Srinagar on 10 September.[21]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.languageinindia.com/jan2009/gujralreport1.pdf
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Brij Premi. Ikashmir.net. Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
  3. ↑ http://www.education.nic.in/cd50years/u/47/3Y/473Y0303.htm
  4. ↑ Indian Literatur. eGoogle Books.in. Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
  5. ↑ Indian literature – Sahitya Akadem. iGoogle Books.in (7 May 2008). Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
  6. ↑ Brij Premi. Ikashmir.net. Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
  7. ↑ List of World Urdu Authors::Bihar Urdu Youth Forum, Patna. Urduyouthforum.org. Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
  8. ↑ Mr. D.K. Kachru, IAS (retired), wrote an article "Kashmiris in the service of Urdu" published in Vitasta(pls see page 2 para1) mentions Mr. Prem Nath Dar as a short story writer
  9. ↑ The Encyclopaedia Of Indian ... – Amaresh Datt. aGoogle Books.in. Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
  10. ↑ http://ikashmir.net/milchar/pdf/Milchar_March_April_2005.pdf
  11. ↑ http://vitasta.org/pdf/Vitasta2006SecII.pdf
  12. ↑ Prem Nath Dar / Biography: Family Tree. Premnathdar.blogspot.com (31 May 2011). Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
  13. ↑ autobiography of Sheikh Abdullah titled “Atish-e-Chinar” page 241,1982 Publisher Ali Mohammed & Sons, Srinagar, Kashmir
  14. ↑ autobiography of Sheikh Abdullah titled “Atish-e-Chinar” page 240,1982 Publisher Ali Mohammed & Sons, Srinagar, Kashmir
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0LM4IQZjHiYLTNZdUNIbVh0NDA/edit?usp=sharing
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ (In Urdu). Kashmiruzma.net. Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
  18. ↑ (in Hindi). Books.google.co.in. Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
  19. ↑ https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0LM4IQZjHiYQXRNMlU1SmQ0YU0/edit?usp=sharing
  20. ↑
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Picasa Web Albums – JAG PRAKASH DAR – Citations. Picasaweb.google.com. Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
  22. ↑ http://urdu.uok.edu.in/Mansoor.aspx
  23. ↑ https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0LM4IQZjHiYcDBlMVdGZnRZS0U/edit?usp=sharing
  24. ↑ (Translation in Hindi)
  25. ↑ (In Urdu). Kashmiruzma.net. Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
  26. ↑ also Published in "Azaadi ki baad Delhi mein Urdu Afsaaney, page 233, By Prof.Kamar Raeess, 1990, Urdu Academy Delhi
  27. ↑ جموں وکشمیر کے اُردو افسانہ نگار (KashmirUzma.net) 14 ZUL HIJJAH 1432 AH SRINAGAR 11 NOVEMBER 2011 : 14:46:52. KashmirUzma.net. Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
  28. ↑ https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B0LM4IQZjHiYNTM1MWVjZDAtY2MwNS00MzVlLTg0NTEtNzUwYTY1ODJiY2Fm&hl=en_US
  29. ↑ https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B0LM4IQZjHiYNDM4ZjdiZmMtODFkZC00NjI2LWI0MDUtMDFkYjAwZTdlYmZm&hl=en_US
  30. ↑ Kashmiri Musical Opera: ZU GABAR (in Persian Script) / Author : Prem Nath Dar. Kashmiridrama.blogspot.com (6 June 2011). Retrieved on 11 November 2011.
  31. ↑ https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B0LM4IQZjHiYOWQ0NDg2MjAtMzY1OS00ZTRlLWE5ZWYtZTkwMjYyMDI2ZWQ0&hl=en_US Zui Gabar in Devanagiri Script

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