Litterateur who died in penury, solitute

New Delhi: While the entire nation is celebrating Hindi Diwas, there was a man who wrote over 100 books in Hindi and Garhwali and was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for his lifetime contribution.

Sudama Prasad Dabral ‘Premi’ gave his entire life and earnings to the Hindi and Garhwali languages, but attained only poverty. He took his last breath in solitude.

In the last stage of his life, he was forced to work in an STD/PCO shop to earn his living. He left writing six months before his death in June 12, 2014. In 2010, while the multi-faceted man was being deemed to be given the Sahitya Akademi Award, he wasn’t left with enough financial support to even go and collect his award.

Through his poems and stories, Premi highlighted the struggle of common people. He used simple language and connected himself with the common man to highlight their problems and struggle. His writings come with moral teachings.

“My father dedicated his entire life for the Garhwali and Hindi literature and did not care about his financial condition. It was his love for writing and zeal to do something for the Garhwali language that motivated him to write books, poems, and short stories in both Garhwali and Hindi. However, he did not get due recognition for his contribution to Pahari language,” said Premi’s son, Dev Prasad Dabral.

Premi ran a printing press. However, he put his passion ahead and instead of paying attention to his printing press he spent more time in creating literature.

He spent over two decades in the resettlement colony of KhichriPur in East Delhi, where he kept a low profile. Even his neighbours were not aware of his profession.

The UP government had awarded him the prestigious Pitambar Datt Barthwal Award in 1985. Later, the Sahitya Akademi also awarded him the ‘Sahitya Akademi Award’ for his lifetime achievement in Garhwali literature in 2010 along with Prem Lal Bhatt. The irony was that he could not go to Guwahati to receive the award as he did not have enough money to travel.

Born in a Brahmin family in Uttarakhand, his father taught him astrology and other rituals so that he could become a Vedic astrologer and earn his livelihood.

However, he came to Delhi in search of a job. Premi worked in a printing press and later on established his own printing press. However, he paid less attention to his business.

His Hindi writings include ‘Sankalp’ and ‘Ek Dusri Uttara,’ both novels. His Garwhali writings include ‘Dwee-Ansu’ and ‘Agyal,’ both poetic collection, and ‘Batwe,’ which is a poetic drama.