Sunday, February 6, 2000		Article

The Shan of Punjabi literature
By Joginder Singh Bedi

WHILE evaluating the contribution of Punjabi scholars who have enriched the history and literature of Punjab, Dr Harnam Singh Shan, registers his protest by saying that governments of the time did not accord due recognition to them for their meritorious work. Dr Shan, confides that Punjabi scholars such as Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha, writers, Bhai Jodh Singh, Teja Singh and Dr Mohan Singh Diwana; Scholar-Poet, Bhai Vir Singh Poet-Laureate, Prof Mohan Singh, Historians, to Dr Ganda Singh, Dr Gokul Chand Narang and Dr Hari Ram Gupta authored remarkable books on grammar, literature and history. Unfortunately, their work gained respectability only after their demise. In the absence of an incentive from the government, future generations would be bereft of such scholars whom we may term as would-be pathfinders. Though these scholars are not amongst us today, they are a source of inspiration for present-day scholars who confidently consult their books for purpose of reference.

During an hour-long literacy conversation, Dr Harnam Singh Shan, repeatedly referred to the rich Sufi literature of Punjab, that was written in the gurmukhi script and translated into many languages of the world. He said he was proud of what the Punjabis have done so far in this direction.

His work deals with a variety of field of study and research such as Oriental, Asian, Indo-Pak Studies with special reference to the united Punjab, Punjabi, Sufi and Sikh studies, which include a careful study of the holy compositions of the Sikh Gurus, Hindu saints and Muslim Sufis.

In the galaxy of Punjabi scholars, Dr Shan is the only one who ventured into research work of a high order. He is an institution of researh in himself’. Dr Shan researched various aspects of Punjabi literture not as a profession but as his passion. He wanted to provide both analytical and critical input for the younger generation of scholars.

In the literary circle Dr Shan is popular for his work The Romance of Sassi - A Critical and Comparative Study. For this he was awarded Ph.D. by the University of London in 1964. Based on the material in as many as 14 Indo-Aryan and Indo-European languages, it is his masterpiece.

Besides, Dr Shan has penned 78 books, 172 research papers, 59 book reviews and 14 forewords of books written by scholars of eminence. Of the 78 books, the ones which have been widely admired because of their scholarly study are: Guru Nanak-The Man and The Master; A Standard Dictionary of Sikhism; A Chronology of the Sikhs; Hashim Shah: A Critical Edition of His Complete Works; A Survey of Punjabi Manuscripts Abroad; So Said Guru Gobind Singh; and Guru Nanak Foundation Monographs on Sikh Studies.

The other noteworthy books authored by him on the subject of Sikhism are: Teachings of Guru Nanak Dev; Thiruvalluvar and Guru Nanak Dev; Guru Granth Sahib Di Koshkari; Sri Harimandir Sahib and Maharaja Ranjit Singh; Life and Works of Syed Hashim Shah; Punjab and The Lion of Punjab; and Scholarly Study of Sikhism.

On the occasion of the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth at Anandpur Sahib last year, Dr Shan wrote three books ‘The Khalsa’; Sayings of Guru Gobind Singh and Chardikala. To pen such books of high literary standard in a very short period is indeed a demanding task which Dr Shan has accomplished with utmost dedication and devotion to the great Guru who broke the crust of caste in India.

In an eloquent profile on Dr Shan entitled A life dedicated to faith, the renowned scholar, P.D. Shastri, remarks aptly: "Dr Harnam Singh Shan’s house looks like a house of books, rather than of bricks. It is books, books all over — from the floor to the ceiling. Each room has a separate table for a separate project with the relevant books’. During a conversation, Dr Shan said that his treasure house of books is open for all scholars of the Punjabi language and literature, ethics, philosophy and all other spheres related to sufi thought.

Dr Shan has done advanced studies, reference and research work in the country and abroad viz, England, Canada, America, Australia, Singapore and Egypt during his educational tours to these countries from 1955 to 1997. The entire work done by him in the countries abroad relates to varied subjects such as language, literature, culture, religion, history, tradition, philosophy, lexicography and folklore.

Although he is the recipient of a large number of prestigious awards and honours including the Sahitya Shiromani and Pothohar Shiromani awards, Dr Shan says very frankly that, ‘The Degree of Doctor of Literature awarded to him by the Panjab University, Chandigarh, last year is the highest academic award. With this his entire literary contribution has been suitably rewarded.’

A former Professor and Chairman of the Guru Nanak Chair, and Head of the Department of Punjabi and Sikh Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Dr Shan has held prominent positions as chairman, fellow, patron, member, reviewer and convener of about 95 educational, cultural and literary organisations in India and abroad.

In the fortnightly Northern News dated December 15, 1973, it has been very rightly said of Dr Shan that, ‘He combines in his multifaceted personality the cool precision of a researcher with the warm candour of a humanist. His beliefs which he has upheld even at the cost of worldly success which has come to him unsought and unhankered after, include Guru Nanak’s maxim "Truth is higher than everything, but higher still is Truthful Living."

The work and achievements of Dr Shan remind us of the message conveyed by the famous English Poet Alfred Tennyson with these lines rest is rust; to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield should be the way of life of a man’.