The cheerful chirping of birds at the break of dawn brings a sense of peace to many, yet the underlying meaning of these sweet melodies has long remained a mystery. That veil of mystery has now been lifted as researchers delve deep into avian communication. Dr. Dinesh Bhatt, associated with the Department of Zoology at Gurukul Kangri University in Haridwar, has successfully concluded the country's first comprehensive and historical study on bird songs. Operating under a special project funded by the central government, he dedicated many years to exploring this fascinating subject. Over the course of this extensive investigation, he traveled to numerous countries and collaborated with global ornithologists to decode the language of birds, a feat achieved by no one else in India before.
The Journey Began in 1984
Reflecting on his academic path, Dr. Dinesh Bhatt shared that after completing his PhD from Banaras Hindu University, he joined Gurukul Kangri University as an assistant professor in 1984. Since laboratory facilities were scarce at the institution during those early days, he chose to observe animal behavior directly in nature. One evening in 1990, as he stepped outside his laboratory, he heard a melodious whistling sound. Upon closer inspection, he discovered a bird singing with its beak open. That single moment inspired him to pursue serious research into avian melodies and music. He subsequently ordered specialized literature from abroad and submitted a project proposal to the Department of Science and Technology under the central government, which received formal approval in 1991.
Extensive Study Across Multiple Species
Detailing the progress of the project, Dr. Dinesh Bhatt noted that he and his research students initially focused their efforts on the magpie-robin, commonly known as the dayal bird. Because of its exceptionally sweet voice, journalists frequently referred to it as Mohammad Rafi. Following this, they uncovered the scientific significance of communication and music among various other avian species, including the Indian chat, bulbul, and pied bushchat. This dedicated research continued until 2021, after which he received a three-year extension as a professor emeritus, bringing the entire project to completion in 2024. Gurukul Kangri University thus housed the very first laboratory in India dedicated to the study of bird music. This landmark research took him to approximately 22 countries, and several of his research papers have even been featured on the front covers of prominent international journals.
