PUNJABI REVIEW
Verse gets better
Surinder S. Tej

Ik Kuknoos Hor
by Pritam Singh Rahi Ravi Sahit Prakashan, Amritsar Pages 352, Rs.300

Pritam Singh Rahi is known as the spearhead of literary activities in Barnala region. A professor turned Vaid, Rahi is often commended for his zeal and zest in spreading and promoting literature in masses, that too through unconventional methods. His shop in Barnala is a popular haunt for pen-pushers of various shades and kinds. Rahi has tried his hand on both verse and prose with equal felicity and translated half a dozen famous literary works from Hindi to Punjabi. However, poetry is his first love. He has churned out more than a dozen collections of his works in verse. Some of these have earned him applause and awards — but none of the kind that could match his effort and stature. He also edits a literary periodical, Muhandra. Progressive by leanings, he is an idealist to the core, and this personal trait is reflected in his poetry too.

Ik Kuknoos Hor is a compendium of his earlier works which span almost five decades. Edited by his daughter, Jaspreet Kaur, this compedium is an aprreciable effort to present a huge body of work under a single cover. Rahi is greatly influenced by the doyen of Punjabi poetry, Bawa Balwant and this influence enriches and enlivens his poetic vision and skill. Some of the poems in this collection, such as Rooh Da Azaab, Aam Aadmi, Bund Mutthi, Banjar Dharti etc leave lasting impression. A welcome collection and commendable effort, indeed.

Parchhavian Di Khushboo
by Sukhdev Singh Grewal Lokgeet Prakashan, Chandigarh Pages 107, Rs.100

Sukhdev Singh Grewal, a respected name in contemporary Punjabi literature, has tried his hand at various literary forms. However, poetry seems to be his forte. Indeed, he excels in penning ghazals. In Parchhavian Di Khushboo, a collection of about 100 ghazals, he displays his art commendably. Ghazals have traditionally been associated with sharaab and shabaab (wine and women), but Grewal steers away from traditonal motifs and similies, and charts a different course. Humanism and realism burn bright in his poetry, and contemporary events and social tragedies become his metaphors and symbols. At times, didactic streaks appear and dilute the overall impact. This trait should be avoided in order to maintain the purity and sensitivity of his creations.

Udai Ton Ast Hon Tak
by Jagmohan Singh Prageet Prakashan, Mohali Pages 112, Rs.125

Poetry knows no boundaries — at least as far as writing it is concerned. Jagmohan Singh teaches physics in a college but loves metaphysics. He expresses his passion for poetry in these words:

Kavita main nahin likhda
likhdi hai mainu Kavita
Kavita Hastakhar hai mera
samay de pannian te

Udai ton Ast Hon Tak is a product of this passion. Most of the poems are in free verse and touch contemporary issues sensibly and sensitively. Surjit Patar, himself a great poet, describes Jagmohan’s endeavour as "an honest struggle for restoration of values in a contemporary social set-up." A commendable struggle, but it could have been less didactic.

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