Opening up a treasure trove of Punjabi literature
The Times of India, 22 February 2012
Diplomat-writer Navdeep Suri opened a treasure chest of Punjabi literature with the launch of the ‘A Life Incomplete’, an English translation of his grandfather Nanak Singh’s iconic novel, ‘Adh Khidiya Phool’ based on the Punjabi nationalist writer’s 10-month stay in Lahore jail in the 1920s.
Written as a draft by Nanak Singh in jail, it was redrafted 18 years later as a novel.
The book, second of Suri’s English translation of his grandfather’s books, was published by Harper Collins-India. A joint secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs, Suri had earlier translated Nanak Singh’s novel “Pavitra Paapi” as “Saintly Sinner” in 2003.
“Pavitra Paapi” was also made into a movie starring Parikshit Sahni in 1970.
“A Life Incomplete” was released by Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur Tuesday evening at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan. Unveiling the book, Kaur said, “Nanak Singh was a leading light of Punjabi literature. He wrote 59 books, including 38 novels and was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi award in 1962.”
Kaur said: “Several of Nanak Singh’s books were prescribed on high school and university syllabus, and I am told many of his novels are in their 20th and 30th reprint.” She said Nanak Singh’s books conveyed several messages pertinent to the times — “religious tolerance and empowerment of women.”
“The translation will carry the novel to new sections of Indian lovers of Punjabi literature and to the Indian diaspora around the world,” Kaur said.
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Faiz Ahmed Faiz – Birth Centenary – 1911-2011
A statement by Progressive Writers Association (PWA)
Faiz Ahmad Faiz was one of the most prominent poets of the Indian sub-continent who won unparalleled global acclaim. He symbolised all that is humane, dignified, refined, brave and challenging in Pakistani society. His poetry written in Urdu and Punjabi reflects his intellectual resentment and resistance against an unjust and archaic social order which he rejects on rational grounds as anti human; yet it has no bitterness. He remains loving and loveable, respected and respectful.
Faiz’s poetry articulates the aspirations, anguish, pain and suffering of not only the people of Pakistan but that of the whole world, as well as their unremitting resolve to create a better and just society. His was the voice of sanity, for he sought peace in a troubled world.
Read full article:Faiz Ahmed Faiz centenary celebrations
Link to website: http://www.viewpointonline.net/fullstory.php?t=Faiz
Amarjit Chandan
Since moving to London in 1980 after serving two years in solitary confinement for his role in the first Naxalite uprising in India, Amarjit Chandan has become one of today’s most celebrated Punjabi poets, with a large following both in India and among the Indian diaspora in Britain and across the globe.
Former poet laureate Andrew Motion selected him as one of the 10 British poets for the National Poetry Day in 2001 and his work has appeared in translation in scores of journals and magazines.
A short poem, Far Away On A Distant Planet, has been carved in 40-foot granite by Alec Peever and installed in Slough High Street square, both in Punjabi and English translation.
Read full article: http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/91058
Reaching for roots by Nonika Singh
The Sunday Tribune, 14 Feb 2010
Roots remind me of root infinite, the source of everything.
THAT’s Amarjit Chandan, the celebrated poet rooted in Punjabi soil—its chaste language and ethos—yet spanning continents, the universe, the timeless zone. Living in the UK, where his poetry is etched in a 40-feet-long sculpture, he seeks and finds refuge in his language. And just as the lines read, “Far, far away on a distant planet there lies a stone unseen unturned, it can only be seen with closed eyes as you see your loved ones,” he, too, can see and feel Punjab with closed eyes.
Read full article: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100214/spectrum/book8.htm
Punjabi Poet Amarjit Chandan Receives the Anad Kav Sanman 2009
Chandan accepting award from Krishan Khanna (middle). Bhai Baldeep Singh (right).
India Islamic Cultural Centre Auditorium was a venue for an unusual celebration of the spirit of poetry, music and painting – a fusion of the folk, classical, sufi and gurbani traditions of undivided Punjab – to bring together poets, artists and musicians for a rendering of the poetry of Amarjit Chandan – the recipient of the Anad Kav Sanman, 2009 for his seminal contribution to Punjabi Poetry, and for bringing Punjabi Poetry on the International Scene.
The function began with a musical tribute to Baljit Kaur Tulsi by Rupinder Pal Kaur, who sang one of Tulsi’s poems in Raga Peelu.
Professor Namvar Singh, Hindi literary critic and Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University presided over the Award Ceremony and Krishan Khanna, the Painter, was the Chief Guest of the Second Anad Kav Tarang Festival, organized on the occasion of the conferring of the Award, instituted in the memory of a Punjabi poet, Baljit Kaur Tulsi. The award, offered to eminent poets, includes a cash prize of Rs. 2.25 lacs, a citation, a silver plate and a turban. Anad Kav Sanman is unique in South Asia in the sense that it exclusively celebrates poetic excellence to honor the memory of a woman poet.
Read full article: amarjit chandan press release
Jugni by Jasbir Jassi
Jugni by Madan Gopal Singh
Singer: Jasbir Jassi
Video Gurvinder Singh
Translation by Madan Gopal Singh
Sonata for Four Hands by Amarjit Chandan
Amarjit Chandan’s long-awaited first full-length collection to be published in Britain comes with a preface by the distinguished writer John Berger, long-time admirer of Chandan’s work. Ironic, lyrical, sometimes angry or regretful, these poems, written in Punjabi but by a poet settled in Britain, add a new dimension to contemporary poetry.
Foreword by John Berger
Cover by Gurvinder Singh
ISBN: 978-1-906570-34-7
978-1-906570-35-4
Publication date: 1 October (pbk & hbk)
Dimensions: 138 x 216 mm
Pages: 160
Kitte Mil Ve Mahi
This is invisible Punjab, bypassing the airbrushed mythology of its prosperity and the always-happy-always-cheerful Punjabi. This is a key to the understanding of how the Sufi way has come to rest with the state’s impoverished Dalits.
Watch the video: http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/documentaries/kitte-mil-ve-mahi
Studying the Sikhs – Hew Mcleod and Likhansar – A poem
After the sad loss of Hew Mcleod, Amarjit Chandan who was a friend of Hew has sent these to share with everyone.
Likhansar: A poem by Amarjit Chandan co-translated by Hew McLeod.
Likhansar. Poem. [Bilingual]. Revsd. Amarjit Chandan. May 2008
On my behest Hew wrote this a couple of years ago and its Punjabi translation done by me was published. studying with sikhs Mcleod 2007
PUNJABI POETRY ON WAR by Amarjit Chandan
I hail from a cursed land – partitioned land of five rivers – the Punjab. Since 1947, the East Punjab is in India, and the West Punjab is in Pakistan. Being the gateway from the northwest to the Indian sub-continent, for three millennia foreign invaders played havoc to its natives. First came the Aryans about fifteen centuries before the birth of Christ and occupied most of northern Hindustan. Other races – the Persians, the Greeks under Alexander the Great, Bactrians, Scythians, Mongol Huns, Mughals, and Afghans, followed them. In the end came the British. They occupied the Punjab in 1849 ruling over it for a century and left in 1947 dismembering it.
Summing up Punjabi people’s centuries old catastrophic history in just five sentences may seem rigorous, but even volumes will betray inadequacy of language to express the loss. A royal throne looted from Delhi and gifted to the Sultan of Turkey by Nadir Shah of Iran lying in the Topkapi Palace museum in Istanbul is a URL [universal resource locator] link to the troubled history of the Punjab.
Read full article: http://sikhfoundation.org/article-Amarjit_Chandan.asp
What Makhan Singh means to me by Amarjit Chandan
Paper presented at:
Trade Union and Working Class Struggles: Makhan Singh and the TU Movement in Kenya. Department of Applied Social Sciences, London Metropolitan University. 25 March 2009
From the window of the departing train I vaguely remember the figure of Makhan Singh waving and saying Sat Sri Akal (God is Truth) – goodbye (God be with you). This was to be the last time we saw him. My father and Makhan Singh never met again. Four months later Makhan Singh was to be arrested and spent almost 12 years in solitary confinement. My father was to die in the Punjab in 1969 and Makhan Singh four years later in Nairobi.
Read full paper:what makhan singh means to me
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