LUDHIANA,
Feb 11 — A large number of famous personalities from the world of Punjabi literature paid homage to the great Urdu writer, Sahir Ludhianvi, at the Sahir
Kavi Sammelan organised by S. C. D. Government College, Ludhiana, on Friday.
The internationally famous Punjabi poet, Surjit Pattar, author of many books and recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award, started the
sammelan by reading out his latest poems, which were well received. He recited in his melodious voice “Hunda si ek eshaas ik sacha kidhar gaya, Is pathar de shehar wich sheesha kidhar gaya/jad do diln nu joddi ik tar gaee, sajinde puchde saaz nu, naghma kidhar gaya.
Gurbhajan Singh Gill, another well-known literary figure of Ludhiana and Editor, Punjabi Publications, PAU, read out his poems. ‘Meh kehde shahar aayan, sab dian akhan bilori ne. Ihnan’ch jaapde athru kadi aay nahin hunde. Ajehe log saari umar apni ag wich sadde ne, jinaan ne umar bhar ik rukh vi laya nahin hunda’.
Kulwant Jagraon, who has authored many books and whose works have been broadcast from Radio Moscow recited ‘Kisei ambar de tare ne hanera dur nahin karna, dilan de baal ke dive leyao roshni kariye’
had people applauding.
Ms Sukhwinder Amrit sang two ghazals. She showed great sensitivity through her poem ‘Badi hi naram pati hai.
Swaranjit Savi is not only an artist, but also a prominent figure in the corridors of Punjabi literature. His poem echoed his deep thoughts when he read out, ‘Main tere vich injh vasna chahanda haan’.
Jaswinder Zafar, though not a poet by a profession, impressed the audience with his simple but meaningful poems ‘Chiddi ne apni azadi di pehli te doosri ladai nahin ladi, na teesri ladi hai, kyonki chiddi azad hai’.
Inderjit Hasanpuri has won the coveted Kartar Singh Dhaliwal Award. He has authored many books and also made Punjabi films like
Daaj. These days, he is making telefilms like Sada pind. These films deal with social problems. He has written an ode, panjaban praising the beauty of a Punjabi damsel.
Dr Ramesh Kumar, an ex-student of the college, is presently Principal of Government College, Yamuna-Nagar. His book titled, ‘Photo Frame’ was released by Surjit Singh Patar and be dedicated the book to his old college. He recited short but impressive poems.
Paramjit Kaur Channi had composed a poem on the quake victims of Bhuj. Her poem read, ‘Gumshuda rahan de rahi gaye kidhar, hum humma ke baar baar labhiya see main, Bhuj di dar deewar, kandhan kambh gaiyan, zindgi ne lashan nu dabaya'.
Students of the college enjoyed the
Kavi Sammelan and so did the audience. The participants were later honoured by the principal Dr Soch, of the college. Mr Surjit Patar, when asked about the future of Punjabi poetry replied, “Punjabi poetry is growing up, it is changing and expanding in many ways. Earlier the thoughts revolved round isms like revolutionist, naxilism, but now there are different voices. Poets are choosing romantic themes or writing confessions. There is no dearth of new talent, rather we are getting more books printed and the number of the readers is quite less. The media can help by inviting poets and holding symposiums. The contribution of the NRIs is also a lot. Their poetry has less inhibition. Their poetry has nostalgia for they are still tied to their roots. We share our thoughts on common platforms like World Conferences.”
Dr Ramesh Kumar was little pessimistic about the future of Punjabi poetry. In his view, the young people were moving away from books. He said, “Poetry is suffering. Media should help us channelise our resources. We are facing a crises of character, which is the biggest crises, only literature can resucicgte sustain it. The library movement has to be taken up in a big way, so that youngsters start reading literature”. Mr Kulwant Jagraon expressed similar views.
