On October 29, the Doon Library & Research Centre in Dehradun hosted the launch of the Garhwali poetry collection ‘Prakriti Ar Prerna’ by poet Arvind ‘Prakriti Premi’. The event included a literary discussion and was presided over by Madan Mohan Duklan, Editor-in-Chief of the literary magazine Chitthi-Patri. Dr. Nand Kishore Hatwal, a well-known litterateur and theatre personality, served as the Chief Guest, while writer Shanti Prakash ‘Jigyasu’, an advocate for the Garhwali language, was the Guest of Honour.
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This programme aimed to promote literature in regional languages, provide a platform for local writers, and encourage preservation of Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage. Chandrashekhar Tewari, Programme Officer at the Centre, opened the event by welcoming the guests and highlighted the library’s role as a hub for literature and creative dialogue. He stressed the importance of ongoing literary creation in Garhwali and expressed gratitude to attendees.
Madan Mohan Duklan noted that ‘Prakriti Premi’s poems inspire hope and seek to illuminate society, promoting awareness and enlightenment. Chief Guest Dr. Hatwal remarked that the poems express deep love for nature while critiquing social injustices and superstitions. He praised the integration of local idioms, which connect the poems to the regional experience.
Guest of Honour Jigyasu suggested that some poems could gain recognition beyond regional boundaries if translated into Hindi. He recognized the poet’s growing intellectual depth and emphasized the potential for Garhwali poetry to gain a national and international identity.
Litterateur Shiv Dayal ‘Shailaj’ described the collection as reflective and thought-provoking, engaging with contemporary poetic trends and critiquing social contradictions. He acknowledged it as an effort to explore new avenues in Garhwali poetry. Dr. Umesh Chamola, who wrote the foreword, remarked that the poems address the relationship between nature and humanity, questioning societal evils.
Dr. Satyanand Badoni praised the linguistic richness of the collection, noting the revival of words from the Tiryali dialect, which enhance the vocabulary of the Garhwali language. He commended the poet’s attention to linguistic standardization as a positive step for written Garhwali.
The collection combines sensitivity towards nature and social awareness, effectively using regional vocabulary and expressions to connect with cultural roots while challenging social evils. As a reflection of contemporary literary expression, it significantly contributes to the promotion of Garhwali literature. The event was conducted by poet Bina Benjwal, with attendance from writers, poets, literary enthusiasts, and community members across Uttarakhand.