STATE TIMES NEWS
Jammu: Noted author and Padma Shri awardee Padma Sachdev, the first modern woman poet of Dogri language, passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday, an official of the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages said here.
Sachdev (81), who was born in Purmandal area of Jammu in 1940 in the house of Sanskrit Scholar Prof Jai Dev Badu, was hospitalised after she developed some complications on Tuesday evening, the official told PTI.
She authored many books in Dogri and Hindi, and her poetry collections, including ‘Meri Kavita Mere Geet’, won her the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1971. She received the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2001 and was awarded the Kabir Samman for poetry for 2007-08 by the Madhya Pradesh government.
Sachdev also wrote the lyrics for the song ‘Mera Chhota Sa Ghar Baar’ from the 1973 Hindi film “Prem Parbat”. She also penned the lyrics for two songs for the 1978 Hindi film “Aankhin Dekhi”, including the famous duet “Sona re, tujhe kaise milun” sung by Mohd Rafi and Sulakshana Pandit.
She worked with All India Radio, Jammu and Mumbai and shifted base to New Delhi and Mumbai after marrying singer Surinder Singh.
Additional secretary of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Arvinder Singh Aman chaired a condolence meeting here for Sachdev at which rich tributes were paid to the “doyen of Dogri literature”.
“Sachdev’s contribution to Dogri language is exemplary. She was a living example of Dogri culture,” Aman said, adding that she would be remembered for giving her mother tongue global recognition as her lyrics sung by famous Bollywood singers made Dogri popular not only in India but around the world.
He said Sachdev’s passing away is an irreparable loss for Jammu.
Aman said Sachdev will also be remembered for her key role in the struggle for getting Dogri added to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Secretary Academy, Rahul Pandey termed the death of Padma Sachdev a big loss to Dogri literature in particular and Indian literature in general.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma also expressed grief over Sachdev’s death.
National Conference Provincial President Devender Singh Rana also condoled the demise of legendary Dogri poetess, describing her death as the end of an era.
“Padmaji is no more but she will live all along in our hearts and the generations will get inspired by her immense contribution to Dogri language and culture”, Rana said in a message, adding that her commitment to Dogri poetry has remained unflinching. Rana said the best tribute to the great poetess would be to promote Dogri language and pass on the generation the rich and glorious heritage of art and culture.
He conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and expressed solidarity with them as also lakhs of fans of Padmaji, whose passing away has created a vacuum that is hard to fill. He also prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss.
Former Member Parliament, Dr Karan Singh, in a condolence message, said, “In the passing of Padma Sachdev, the nation has lost a leading literary figure and the Dogra speaking community has suffered a grievous loss. Padma ji’s contribution to Dogri literature over many decades was unparalleled and her poems will be long remembered by lakhs of Dogri speakers. Despite battling ill health all her life, Padma remained a positive and creative figure. Personally I had known her for seven decades and we had numerous occasions to meet and interact. I have in fact translated several of her poems into English.”
“On her passing, I would like to pay my homage to her memory and convey my deep sympathy to her family and well wishers, particularly to her husband Sardar Surinder Singh ji,” he added.
Director of India Gandhi Centre of Indian Culture High Commission of India, Mauritius, Balwant Thakur, In his condolence address, informed that Padma Sachdev was one of the most celebrated and decorated writer of Dogri and Hindi and contrast immensely for the development of Dogri language and literature.
Balwant Thakur also shared series of remembrances associated with Padama ji. On the occasion prayers were also held for the peace of the departed soul.