Chandan Negi’s contribution to Punjabi language immense
Tribune News Service
Jammu, September 27
A prolific writer and a social worker, Chandan Negi’s contribution to the Punjabi and Dogri language is immense. She has written novels and short stories based on real life events.
Students of universities in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab have done research on her work.
Born in Peshawar, now in Pakistan, on June 26, 1937, Chandan Negi’s family moved to Jammu during Partition and settled here.
She received her education in Jammu and joined the All India Radio here in 1970 as a Punjabi programme presenter. She has been witness to destruction during the 1965 war between India and Pakistan in Jammu and played an important role in countering the Pakistani propaganda through her radio programme during 1971 war.
After getting married to JS Negi, she moved to Delhi and settled there.
Despite working as a social worker in Jammu and Kashmir, Negi wants to be remembered as a writer. Her writing has the touch of Hindko language, her mother tongue of Peshawar, and she has also received awards for her books.
Chandan Negi has translated many books from Urdu, English, Hindi and Dogri into Punjabi. One of her Punjabi books, ‘Jalbin Kumbh’ was taken up for research by students of the University of Jammu. “Around 20 students of the University of Jammu have done research on this book. Around 15 to 20 students of Punjabi University, Patiala, have also done MPhil on my literary work. Many students in Guru Nank Dev University, Punjab, have also done some research work on my book,” said Negi.
“My work is not based on fictitious events or happenings but on real characters. Whenever I would find any interesting thing happening around me, I would pen it down in a book,” she added.
