Prem Nath Dar

Prem Nath Dar (25 July 1914 - 6 September 1976) an Urdu language short story writer from the Kashmir Valley. His short stories are generally recognised as progressive writings of mid twentieth century [(page 463 para 2.75&] He was a multifaceted personality who joined the “Kashmir Movement”, led by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah during the late 1930s and1940’s, for social & political reforms. He shifted to Delhi in 1943 on the advice of Sheikh Abdullah. In the later stages of his life, in his spare time, he used to write short stories besides being always involved with Kashmiri cultural and social activities Delhi. He was the President of the Kashmiri Sahayak Samiti, New Delhi, for a very long time. He was also the President of Kashmiri House Building Society, New Delhi, where he was instrumental in ensuring the then Kashmiris settled in a colony in Delhi, which is now known as Pamposh Enclave.
Early years in the Kashmir Valley
Prem Nath Dar was born on 25 July 1914 in a Kashmiri Pandit family settled in Badiyar Bala near Ganpatiyar, Habbakadal, Srinagar, Kashmir (Present day J & K, state of India). He graduated from Lahore University where he was influenced by the teachings of Marx and Lenin and joined the Marxist Party. At the time of his graduation Sher e Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah's Muslim Conference was agitating against the state government. To widen the struggle he invited non-Muslims to join this politico-social struggle, and re named the party to the "National Conference". Prem Nath Dar was among the first batch of non Muslims to join him and he proposed a secular party flag for the new party- National Conference, which was immediately accepted.
Transformation to a short story writer
in early 1940s, while in Delhi he got in touch with Urdu literary circle Halqa-e Arbab-e Zauq and started writing short stories in Urdu. To make his characters alive and closer to reality he took help from his wife in getting familiar with spoken phrases and terminologies in day-to-day life of Delhi city. This helped him in creating different characters of society living in Delhi, at various levels of social system. The writers of Halqae Arbab Zauq used to meet at his house in Sita Ram Bazaar which was attended by some known writers of that time, to name a few- Devendra Satyarthi, Josh Malihabadi, Arsh Malciani Jagan Nath, Sagar Nizami, Rewati Sharan Sharma, besides others. The venue later changed to Delhi College, Delhi. After the 1960s his responsibilities at the All India Radio kept him occupied leaving less time for literary activities. and
Writing style
His writings were deeply influenced by the Marxist writings of the then progressive writers of India and his readings of the Russian literature, which left deep impressions of the socialistic ideology. The socio-political movements and the social structure of that time in India also played a significant role in molding his writing style. His association with the then progressive writers of Halqae Arbab Zauq galvanised his writings to give strong messages of social reforms.
Prem Nath Dar’s first collection of short story Kaghaz Ka Vasudev aur dighar afsaaney was the first presentation of Halqae Arbab Zauq, Delhi (Halqae Arbab Zauq ki paheli pesh kash.) Halqae Arbab Zauq was a popular literary circle in Delhi providing a platform to budding writers in Urdu. It was an instant success and was appreciated by leading Urdu Writers of that time from India- Salahuddin Ahamad, Syyed Ahtesshan Hussein, Josh Malihabadi and Pakistan- Maulana Salahuddin Ahamad, editor Adabi Duniya, Lahore. This collection of short stories is now reprinted by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language.
An Article on Mr. Prem Nath Dar and his writing style in a book titled "Hamara Adab, Shakhsiat Number-2 by Md. Yusuf Taing; Editor Md. Ahamad Andrabi in 1985-86 under the auspices of The Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Language, Srinagar. Dr. Mansoor Ahmad Mir, Associate Professor, Dept of Urdu, University of Kashmir, wrote a book in 2006 titled "Prem Nath Dhar Aur Jadeed Afsana. The book focuses on writing style of Prem Nath Dhar (Dar) Mr. Isharat Ali, a M Phil student from the Urdu Department of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, has completed his research topic "Prem Nath Dar ki Afsaana Nigaari ka Mutala," which is approved by the Jamia in 25 June 2012 and is under printing at Makataba Jamia, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
Literary works
a) Some of the famous short stories written by him were-
1. Kaghaz ka Vasudev
2. Doodh,
3. Uttarai,
4. Aakh Thoo,
5. Jawan,
6. Zanshirin,
7. Gidh,
8. Chadawa,
9. Kofta,
10. Neeli Aankhen,
11. Geet Ke Chaar Bol,
12. Paani se Gadha Lahu,
13. Bhoot Pret,
14. Faayada be Faayada,
15. Beech Andherey,
16. Zindagi ke Ghoont,
17. Neeli Botal,
18. Dinon ka Pher,
19. Tehalil Nafsee,
20. Ghalat Phehami,
21. Turdi Bus and various other short stories.
22. Khirki

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