Dogri & English Ballads

O.P. Sharma
A unique comparative research study of ballads in Dogri and English languages  conducted by the Jammu University’s Department of English has brought out revealing observation of many similarities. A scholar Sheetal Singh has recently been awarded Ph.D for in-depth thesis on English and Dogri ballads. This research work, first of its kind, undertaken by a daughter of soil, has explored in details, the origin, development, form and style in both Dogri and English literature.
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Sheetal Singh stated that Dogri has rich treasure of ballads in two forms – Baran and Karakan – which deal with, the themes of prowess and adventure, bravery and chivalry. These ballads of heroism are woven around the valour of the characters which grips the heart and arouses a feeling of hero worship. Karakan are the ballads with religious themes. They are primarily the narratives connected with gods and goddesses, village deities and family deities.
This project has been completed by Sheetal Singh under the supervision of Prof. Rita Saldanha and Prof. Sucheta Pathania of the University of Jammu during June, 2014.
This research work is first of its kind undertaken by any scholar from the Department of English, University of Jammu.
Ballads constitute a significant part of the living cultural tradition of any country. Ballads written in Dogri and in English languages have been analyzed separately. But so far, no attempt has been made to study the ballads in a comparative manner.
‘Comparative Literature’ is a kind of world religion. The underlying suggestion is that all the cultural differences disappear when the literatures of two different nations are compared. Comparative literature in India is directly linked to the rise of modern nationalism and native literatures have been used to assert national cultural identity. This thesis contributes to establish the identity of Dogri Cultural practices.
Dr. Singh added: The composers of ballads were anonymous and we can only conjecture who they were. The ballad tradition continued side by side with other literary traditions, right into the nineteenth century, and it has existed wherever there have been considerable bodies of people to whom reading came with difficulty or not at all. The poets who composed them were called minstrels or bards in English while in Dogri they were known as Draes or Gardi.
Referring to thesis, Dr. Singh said:  “Construction of the Visible / Invisible in the English and Dogri ballads of the Medieval Period”, discusses the historical ballads of both the languages. English ballads like “Sir Patrick Spens”, “Auld Maitland”, “Kinmont Willie” and few others discuss about the feudal lords who exhibited extreme examples of bravery, loyalty and sacrifice. Similarly, the Dogri Baran: “Chandan Dev Te Rattan Dev”, “Jagat Singh Pathania”, “Mian Deedo”, “Hira Singh”, “Wazir Ram Singh Pathania”, “Baaj Singh”, and “Mian Nath Te Kirpal Dev” deal with the various tales narrating the brave acts of the respective feudal lords.
Scientific Study
The important fact that prominently emerges out of the study of the historical ballads both in Dogri as also English is that almost all narrate only the events in which the popular characters were involved. The heroes of such ballads are exalted to greatness, irrespective of their success or defeat. Those who fell dead in the wars or conflicts are lauded for their ideals of bravery for which they laid down their lives. And examples of such Dogra heroes are: Mian Nath Dalpatia, Mian Deedo, Baaj Singh, Jagat Singh Pathania, Wazir Ram Singh Pathania, Hira Singh.
A significant focal point of study is chapter second titled “Narratives of Social Disruption in English and Dogri Heroic Ballads” undertakes the study of heroic Dogri ballads which narrate the plight of lower sections of the society in comparison to English ballads of the similar genre. These Dogri ballads deal with the peasant class who lead incredibly hard life under the feudal social structure.
Striking Similarities
The Dogri ballads undertaken in this chapter are Karakan like “Bawa Jitto” and “Data Ranpat” and few more. Bawa Jitto and Data Ranpat are two most highly revered folk deities of Duggar region. Their ballads are very famous. They depict the kind of relationship that existed between the feudal lords and the peasants. Bawa Jitto sacrificed himself in protest against the injustice of feudal lord, Mehta Bir Singh who demanded more share than mentioned on the agreement. Bawa Jitto stabbed himself on the heap of grains saying:
Rukhi Kanak ni khayan Mehtaeya
Dinna Maas ralayi
(Don’t eat dry wheat Mehta. Let me add my flesh to it.)
A separate chapter on “Form and Technique in Heroic English and Dogri Ballads” focuses attention on various characteristics of ballad poetry in Dogri and English which generally have abrupt beginning, simple language, dialogues, tragic theme and refrain which are discussed in a comparative and contrast manner. Dogri ballads too draw interesting and informative conclusions.    The thesis concludes by making an endeavour to justify that the Dogri and English ballads are although geographically apart, but are quite similar. Both were composed for the same purpose featuring common characteristics.
Thus, though composed in different continents and parts of the world, the social structure of the society gave impetuous to the poets to create forms almost similar despite their different languages. The similar social structure, almost similar laws and similar sufferings afflicted on the people make the poetry of the two nations so much alike.
Richness Pinpointed
Asked about her inspiration for this work, Dr. Sheetal Singh, who is presently in J&K State Education Department talked about over-whelming support of her family – both parents as well as in-laws, particularly the life-partner encouraged her in  literary work. She also had good words for Prof. Rita Saldanha and Prof. Sucheta Pathania of Department of English, University of Jammu.
In reply to a question, Dr. Sheetal Singh said: I personally feel that Dogri has a rich tradition of literature. But to provide a national and international identity to Dogri language, its literary works should be translated in English and other languages to make them accessible and comprehensible to everyone across the globe in addition to local people.
English Ballads “Jamie Tefler of the Fair Dodhead”, “The Fray of Suport” and “Dick O the Cow” are about feudal victims on the Anglo-Scottish border.
Chapter three, ‘The Heroic and Women in the English and Dogri Ballads’ deal with the visibility of women in the Dogri and English ballads. One major aspect of the Dogri ballads which differentiate from the subject of English ballads is the heroic deeds of women.
Cultural Harmony
English ballads minimally portray role of women characters but significantly Dogri Ballads have a separate class of Karakan which deal with the women deities. They can be classified into three categories: firstly, the women who became victims of domestic violence; secondly, the women who committed Sati and thirdly, the women who sacrificed themselves in protest against the feudal discrimination. The women who become victims of domestic violence are Bua Satyawati, Bua Makhaan, Bua Bhukhi, Bua Sheela, Bua Bangalu, Bua Amro and Dati Sukhdei. The women who performed Sati are Dati Tripta, Dati Naagru, Dati Laddo, Bua Kauri, Mata Alma and Dati Shukra.  The women who revolted against the feudal lords are Dhabhuj Wali Dati and Bua Bhagaan.
The Jammu University must carry forward tangible word class research work and now it should concentrate more on high quality research, especially on topics of relevance on social scientific culture, political and economic aspects of people in our part of the globe.
(Starline Syndicate Service)

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