As I sit here in the embrace of Lahaul-Spiti's majestic mountains, a heavy burden weighs upon my heart. My name is Ajey, and I am a poet born in this picturesque region, where the air is crisp and the beauty of nature takes my breath away. But there is a lament within me, a sorrow that tugs at my soul.

I long to write in my Mother Tongue, Patni, the language that flows through the veins of my ancestors and carries the essence of Lahaul-Spiti.

It is a language of deep complexity, its texture intricately woven, yet I find myself unable to express my thoughts and emotions through its poetic form.

In our community, we have no traditional folk songs in Patni to draw inspiration from.

We have made do with neighboring languages or Hindi film songs, but it is not the same. My heart aches for the ability to create in the language that resonates with the very core of my being.

Sometimes, jealousy creeps into my heart when I see my friends Yusuf, Suresh, and Ghar Sangi delving into the world of Patni poetry. They effortlessly weave words that paint vivid pictures of our cultural heritage, leaving me in awe of their talent. Oh, how I yearn to join them in the pursuit of artistic expression!

In my search for solace, I stumbled upon a comment by Prabhat, a Hindi poet from Rajasthan. His mother tongue is Maad, and he, too, reminisced about the moments when his language thrived in songs sung by women during festivals and fairs. Like me, he had spent his life in towns and cities, leaving behind his mother tongue, his memories fading away.

Prabhat's words struck a chord within me, for they mirrored my own sentiments. It was as if he had peeked into the depths of my longing. In his writing, he described the feeling of excitement that washed over him when he heard the songs of his region, a feeling akin to a misguided person stumbling upon the face of their beloved or reuniting with a mother after years apart.

Inspired by Prabhat's experience, a spark of determination ignited within me. I realized that I would not let my inability to write in Patni define my poetic journey. I vowed to embrace my Mother Tongue and find a way to express my emotions, to honor the rich heritage of Lahaul-Spiti.

With renewed purpose, I immersed myself in the literature of Patni. I delved into the works of earlier poets and storytellers from our region, absorbing their essence and style. Though doubts initially clouded my mind, I soon discovered that my own words held a unique power, a voice that resonated with the struggles and longings of Lahaul-Spiti.

Verse by verse, I poured my heart into Patni poetry. Each line became a vessel for my yearning, my love for our homeland, and the resilience of our community. Through my words, I aimed to connect not only with my own mother but also with every soul who shared the ache for their mother tongues.

As my poems spread through the Lahaul-Spiti region, they found a place in the hearts of those who resonated with my struggle. In them, they discovered solace, realizing that our cultural heritage was not lost but waiting to be rediscovered and celebrated.

My journey goes beyond reclaiming my poetic voice; it is a quest to preserve the legacy of Patni and Lahaul-Spiti. Through my verses, I carry the weight of our history, the beauty of our landscapes, and the stories of our people. I am an ambassador of our language, reminding others that amidst change and modernization, our roots remain strong.

So, I continue to write, each word an offering to the spirit of Patni and the soul of Lahaul-Spiti. The ancient mountains stand witness to the revival of our language, and through my perseverance,

I hope to inspire the next generation. Together, we will ensure that the beauty of Patni never fades away, but instead flourishes in the hearts and minds of those who call Lahaul-Spiti home.