[1] The 20th century marked a turning point as Dogri transitioned from oral to written forms, with poets and writers capturing local experiences and social issues.
Notable figures like Padma Sachdev and Ved Rahi have played a central role in promoting Dogri literature, earning both national and regional recognition.
The first reference to Dogri, the language of the Dogra people, appears in 1317 CE in a linguistic survey by Amir Khusro, where it is called "Duggar Bhasha."
Dogri's earliest forms were primarily spoken, with written works emerging later under the influence of Persian, Urdu, and Hindi literary traditions.
Folk tales like masade, baare, and janjh celebrate regional heroes, historical events, and cultural values, attempting to preserve identity.
In the 20th century, Dogri playwrights began to experiment with modern forms of theatre, addressing social issues and personal struggles while preserving local traditions.
In 1971, Padma Sachdev became the first modern woman Dogri writer to receive this award for her collection of poems, Meri Kavita Mere Geet.