Mohd. Yaseen
In a time when literature often finds itself overshadowed by fleeting digital distractions and commercial pursuits, a compelling poetic voice has emerged from the hills of Jammu and Kashmir, calling upon society to reflect, reform, and reconnect with its moral compass. Abdul Quddir Kundria, an eminent literary figure from Reasi, has released his latest Dogri poetry collection, Gottey Gae Gottey, which is being hailed not just as a literary achievement but also as a powerful instrument for social change.
Some days back, Kundria formally presented a copy of his book to Ms. Nidhi Malik, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Reasi, in a ceremonial moment that reflected the union of literature and governance for public welfare. The book, which seamlessly weaves Dogri, Urdu, and Hindi poetry into a deeply evocative tapestry, was also handed over to several other prominent district officials including the Additional District Development Commissioner Sh. Sukhdev Singh Samyal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sh. Rakesh Kumar, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Nittin Verma, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mohd Ashraf Kohli, and Deputy CMO Dr. Mohd Yousaf Khan. Kundria’s gesture was more than symbolic, it was a statement of his unwavering belief in the transformative power of literature.
Gottey Gae Gottey, translated loosely as “Entangled Upon Entangled,” is not just a poetic compilation, it is a reflection of contemporary society’s greatest battles: moral erosion, communal tensions, substance abuse, and the silent suffering of youth. Through his verses, Kundria exposes these wounds with the precision of a social surgeon, but he does not leave them bleeding. Instead, he offers the balm of introspection and the salve of hope.
What makes this work stand out is the poet’s consistent and purposeful effort to not just write for the sake of art, but to write for the sake of people. The book has been distributed widely across educational institutions, government degree colleges and high schools in the districts of Jammu, Udhampur, and Reasi. This initiative reflects the poet’s strong desire to awaken young minds and inspire them to engage with the pressing realities around them. A notable moment in this ongoing campaign was when Kundria also presented his book to Ms. Saloni Rai, IAS, the Deputy Commissioner of Udhampur. Praising his work, DC Rai recognized the poet’s intent to influence the consciousness of the youth and encourage the values of communal harmony, empathy, and civic responsibility.
At the heart of Gottey Gae Gottey lies a commitment to truth. Each poem is an echo of real lives, real emotions, and real sufferings. Kundria’s themes are not imagined, they are lived, observed, and drawn from his intimate relationship with the socio-cultural fabric of Jammu and Kashmir. One recurring motif in the collection is the crisis of drug addiction, particularly among the youth. With chilling metaphors and heartbreaking imagery, Kundria portrays the ruin of young lives and the devastation of families. Yet, he does not merely lament, he challenges the community to act. He questions the silence of institutions, the apathy of society, and the erosion of values that have enabled this crisis to grow unchecked.
Another powerful theme is communal disharmony. In a region where religious diversity has long coexisted in delicate balance, Kundria’s verses serve as both a cautionary tale and a hopeful prayer. He invokes the cultural unity of Dogras, Muslims, Sikhs, and other communities of the region, urging them to remember their shared history and to reject the seeds of division being sown by vested interests. His critique of moral decay in public and private life is equally sharp. In a poem that directly addresses the corruption in political and bureaucratic corridors, he writes with restrained anger and surgical insight. But he also explores personal domains, broken families, gender injustice, fading traditions, with tenderness and empathy, making his voice universally relevant.
Kundria’s style is accessible yet profound. His poetic diction employs Dogri idioms and folk references, which give the verses a local flavor and deep-rooted authenticity. The intermingling of Urdu’s lyrical elegance and Hindi’s emotional directness adds further texture to the poetry. The result is a body of work that speaks to both the heart and the intellect. The title Gottey Gae Gottey itself is rich in metaphor. It captures the idea of human struggles as interwoven knots, cultural, social, personal, and political. These knots cannot be untangled without courage, patience, and honesty. And it is precisely this honesty that Kundria brings to his poetry.
His verse is rhythmic and resonant, often resembling traditional Dogri folk songs. This musicality makes the poems easily memorable and recitable, a feature that will serve particularly well in classrooms and public readings. His lines do not merely remain on the page, they take flight in the minds of readers, often lingering as questions or awakening as realizations.
The response to the book has been overwhelmingly positive. Critics have called it a cultural milestone in Dogri literature. Educators have welcomed it as a meaningful tool for classroom discussion and value-based education. Community leaders have described it as a mirror that reflects our shortcomings and a torch that lights the way forward. Speaking at the book presentation, Deputy Commissioner Nidhi Malik praised the poet’s commitment to social reform. Kundria’s voice is courageous and compassionate. He doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths. His book is not only a literary gem but a valuable resource for social awakening, she said. She further emphasized that works like Gottey Gae Gottey deserve to be part of academic discourse, especially in regions grappling with youth-related challenges.
DC Udhampur Ms. Saloni Rai echoed this sentiment, expressing her admiration for the book’s ability to stimulate societal dialogue. When literature speaks the language of the people and reflects their pain and aspirations, it becomes an agent of change. This book does just that, she remarked after receiving a personal copy from the author.
In continuation of his literary outreach, Abdul Quddir Kundria has also presented copies of Gottey Gae Gottey to several other key administrative and police officials across the region. These include SSP Reasi, Addl. SP Reasi, DSP HQ Reasi, SHO Reasi, CEO Reasi, SSP Udhampur, DIG Reasi-Udhampur Range, DIG Shiv Kumar Sharma of the Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range, SHO Woman Wing Udhampur, PA to HQ SSP Udhampur, and Addl. SP Udhampur. Extending his efforts towards educational institutions, the book has also been shared with Government Degree College (GDC) Reasi, GDC Boys Udhampur, and GDC Women Parade, Jammu. Recently, the book was also presented to several prominent schools including Government High School (GHS) Sarwal, Government Girls High School (GGHS) Rehari, Government Boys High School (GBHS) Rehari, GHS Gandhinagar, GGHS Shastri Nagar, GHS Canal Road, and GHS Gol Market. In addition, Tehsildar Reasi too received a copy of the book. Further extending his outreach to literary and cultural institutions, Kundria has also presented Gottey Gae Gottey to Adbi Kunj J&K, Anjuman Faroz J&K, and the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages. By doing so, Kundria reinforces his commitment to using literature as a bridge between governance, law enforcement, education, and the cultural community, with the ultimate goal of cultivating a more conscious, compassionate, and morally grounded society.
Abdul Quddir Kundria is not new to literary activism. For decades, he has been writing with a sense of purpose, addressing social taboos, reviving linguistic heritage, and promoting communal harmony. But with Gottey Gae Gottey, he has taken his mission to a new level. His outreach to government officials, educational institutions, and community leaders is a deliberate attempt to integrate literature into public consciousness. By placing his book in the hands of policymakers and educators, he hopes to bridge the gap between art and action.
Moreover, he continues to visit schools and colleges to interact with students, conducting poetry readings and discussions around the issues raised in the book. These sessions often turn into open conversations about drugs, discrimination, and identity, offering students a safe space to express themselves and learn. In a recent gathering at a higher secondary school in Udhampur, a student remarked, we read so many books in class, but this is the first book that talks about what we are going through. It feels like someone is finally listening.
At a time when regional languages face the threat of decline, Kundria’s use of Dogri is both a cultural assertion and a defiant act of preservation. He believes that the soul of a community resides in its language, and losing Dogri would mean severing ties with a rich heritage. Through Gottey Gae Gottey, he brings Dogri back into the literary spotlight, encouraging new writers and readers to embrace the language with pride. In doing so, he not only revives interest in Dogri literature but also reaffirms its relevance in addressing modern-day challenges.
The book stands as proof that regional literature need not be parochial. When rooted deeply, it can rise tall and touch universal themes. As Kundria proves, the local is not the opposite of the global, it is its foundation.
Gottey Gae Gottey is not just a poetry collection, it is a moral compass, a cultural document, and a heartfelt appeal for change. In every stanza, Abdul Quddir Kundria urges readers to look inward, speak truth, and act justly. His work reminds us that literature is not meant to merely entertain or decorate, it is meant to shake us, wake us, and lead us toward light. In a world overwhelmed by noise and superficiality, his quiet yet firm voice offers clarity. In an age of division, his words become bridges. And in a time of despair, his poems become hope.
Through this literary offering, Kundria has given society more than just a book, he has given it a mirror, a map, and a mission.
(The writer is the son of Abdul Quddir Kundria and a National Scholarship and Fellowship Holder from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India)