Garhwali, Kumaoni, Himalayan Literature

Dr. Purushottam Dobhal: A Garhwali Playwright
Bhishma Kukreti

Dr Purushottam Dobhal was expert in writing in Garhwali, Sanskrit , English and Hindi. In Garhwali, he is famous for writing dramas of social concern . Dobhal was educationist, a social activist and also work for opening many schools.
Dr Purushotaam Dobhal was born in 1920, in a Himalayan village Musmola of Tihri Garhwal. He passed Acharya degree in distinction that is with gold medalist. He served in many colleges . He was Ph D in Sanskrit language
Purushottam Dobhal won the first prize in World Sanskrit Short Story Competition in 1953-54. In Sanskrit , he wrote dramas and published three books of drama and collection of dramas.

He used to contribute for many English magazines.
Dobhal He wrote dramas in Hindi and short stories in this language .

Dr Purushottam Dobhal wrote many plays in Garhwali language
His dramas Bindra Kuansa, Burans, Kantha Mankai Jone, Tillu Rautelee , Kalpana, Suber and Fajitu in Garhwali language are famous plays . These plays were staged many times at different cities. Dobhal also delivered many radio-plays in Garhwali from Akashvani
The subject of plays of Purushottam Dobhal are mainly related to social and contemporary issues.
The Tillu Rauteli play is based on famous folklores of Garhwal, Himalayas.
His dialogues in Garhwali plays are simple but are influenced by Sanskrit but Sanskritized Garhwali dialogues do not become hurdle but support the characterization in the plays. Twist in the tale, reality make his play attractive to the audience.
Dr Purushottam Dobhal expired in 2003 in Dehradun, Himalaya.

Copyright @ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai, India, 2009