Mother Tongue Padma Sachdev

Mother Tongue

The poem 'Mother Tongue' by Padma Sachdev is a poignant reflection on the poet's deep emotional connection with her mother tongue, Dogri. The poem is structured as a dialogue between the poet and a stem swinging on a reed, which personifies nature and the poet's linguistic heritage. The central symbol in the poem is the quill, which represents the tool of writing and expression. The poet approaches the stem asking for a quill, symbolizing her desire to write and express herself in her mother tongue. The stem initially responds with irritation, questioning the poet's need for a new quill so soon, implying that the poet is careless or ungrateful. This interaction reflects the neglect and deprivation faced by the Dogri language, especially in terms of its script and literary tradition. The poet clarifies that she does not work for a Shah, a traditional accountant or scribe, but for a Shahni, a queenly figure symbolizing the mother tongue Dogri. This personification elevates the language to a revered status, showing the poet's respect and devotion. The Shahni has many servants, representing the various speakers and users of the language, all ready to serve and uphold it. The urgency in the poet's request for a quill underscores her commitment and the pressing need to preserve and promote her mother tongue. Finally, the stem, acknowledging its own servitude to the Shahni, offers its 'hand' as the quill, symbolizing solidarity and the collective effort to sustain the language. This poem is a metaphor for the struggle of regional languages like Dogri, which have faced challenges such as the loss of their original script (Sharade) and replacement by other scripts like Persian and Devanagari. The poem reflects the poet's emotional attachment and the cultural significance of language as a carrier of identity and heritage.

• The quill symbolizes the tool for writing and expression in the mother tongue.
• The stem personifies nature and the linguistic heritage of Dogri.
• The poem reflects the neglect and deprivation of Dogri's original script.
• Dogri is personified as a Shahni (queen), highlighting its revered status.
• The poet's urgency shows the need to preserve and promote the mother tongue.
• The stem's offering symbolizes collective support for the language.
• 📌 Quill: A writing tool made from a feather, symbolizing literary expression.
• 📌 Personification: Attributing human qualities to non-human entities.
• 📌 Mother Tongue: The first language learned by a person, often linked to cultural identity.

About the Poet

Padma Sachdev, born in 1940, is a distinguished poet who writes primarily in Dogri, her mother tongue, as well as in Hindi. She is recognized for her contribution to regional literature and has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award at the young age of thirty for her first collection of Dogri poems. This award is a significant recognition in Indian literature, highlighting her role in bringing Dogri poetry to national attention. Padma Sachdev's work is notable for its deep emotional engagement with her language and culture. Writing in Dogri, a language spoken mainly in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab, she has helped preserve and promote this regional language through her poetry. Dogri is listed in Schedule VIII of the Indian Constitution, which recognizes it as one of the official languages of India. The poem 'Mother Tongue' is a translation from the original Dogri, reflecting the poet's concern about the loss of the native script Sharade. Sharade script evolved from the ancient Brahmi script and was once widely used by people of all religions in the Dogri-speaking valley. Over time, due to historical and social changes, Sharade was replaced by the Persian script, and currently, Dogri is written in both Persian and Devanagari scripts. This shift has implications for the cultural identity and literary heritage of Dogri speakers. Padma Sachdev's poetry thus serves as a cultural bridge, connecting the past traditions of Dogri with contemporary literary expression, and highlighting the importance of mother tongue in preserving cultural identity.

• Padma Sachdev writes in Dogri and Hindi, promoting regional language literature.
• She received the Sahitya Akademi Award at age thirty for her Dogri poetry.
• Dogri is spoken in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab.
• Dogri is recognized in Schedule VIII of the Indian Constitution.
• Sharade script, originally used for Dogri, evolved from Brahmi script.
• Dogri is now written in Persian and Devanagari scripts.
• 📌 Sahitya Akademi Award: A literary honor in India recognizing outstanding works in various languages.
• 📌 Sharade Script: An ancient script derived from Brahmi, once used for Dogri.
• 📌 Brahmi Script: One of the oldest writing systems in India, ancestor to many modern scripts.