A comprehensive study of Kishtwari Language by Kewal Krishan Sharma
Author of this article: Asseer Kishtwari on Daily Excelsior
Name of the Book: – Kishtwari Shabad Bodh Ayvom Vakya Vinyas ( किश्तवाड़ी शब्द बोध एवं वाक्य विन्यास )
Author: – Kewal Krishan Sharma
Publisher: – Kewal Krishan Sharma
This book entitled “Kishtwari Shabad Bodh, Ayvom Vakya Vinyas” is originally in Kishtwari and side by side translated in Hindi is written by a prolific and eminent writer Kewal Krishan Sharma hailing from Kishtwar.
He has written more than a dozen of books in our National language & a few in English. One of his books “Kishtwar Darpan” has been Selected for Prestigious National Award by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in New Delhi during the year 2016. He has a good command of the language and has a distinct style of expression.
Since the author belongs to Kishtwar his knowledge and understanding of the linguistic features of the Kishtwari language and its culture are really very rich. He is a person having comprehensive storage of words, phrases, and careful use of figures of speech at his command. This book is the first of its kind ever written by any Kishtwari Scholar and thereby has brought out the text of the book from obscurity. To preserve, maintain and promote the Kishtwari language the author has been successful in presenting the material in a befitting manner. The Chapter on Kishtwari Art, Culture, and language begin with a general introduction of Kishtwar, its area, historical settings, rulers, etc.
The spoken language and common speech of Kishtwari in its exclusive original tone, accent, style, and way of presentation require great effort so as to express one’s thoughts to the entire satisfaction of a typical old Kishtwari person. This alone will preserve this language in its original form and retain old linguistic peculiarities and will further enrich it by drawing words from other languages and mixed dialects having a close affinity with Kishtwari.
The proverbs, phraseology, words, now fading away vocabulary have been dealt with in the book. This will go a long way in maintaining the spirit of this language alive and show its nearness with other spoken dialects of this area- Kishtwari words, sentences, and their meaning in Hindi will show the nearness of this language with other languages of the region. The author has depicted an analytical and comprehensive study on the grammatical structure of Kishtwari. The significance of this book lies in the fact that it is the first grammar of the Kishtwari language. Moreover, its uniqueness is in the fact that it follows the Hindi as well as Sanskrit style. This is a unique distinction for a local language that has had no official patronage. The author has commendably invested labor and scholarship in producing this work.
Folk songs and sangeet have also contributed much to the development of the Kishtwari language. Some of the Folk songs coming down to us from ancient times reveal how Kishtwari conversed with one another. These songs have preserved some of the words which otherwise would have faded away. The author has produced these ancient marriages and other occasional Folk songs.
This book will inspire many budding scholars history writers, poets, and intellectuals of Kishtwar to venture into the realm of research works to bring reality out of obscurity and thereby contribute to the development and progress of the Kishtwari language. The book has detailed information on the Kishtwari language and culture that will revive the interest of the people in their proud cultural heritage & is a must-read for all those who are interested in Kishtwari Sahitya and Sankrit. This book has been priced moderately to make it within reach of everybody.
Author of this article: Asseer Kishtwari on Daily Excelsior
