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Varinder Walia ia one such
journalist. A veteran of newsreporting in English for more than two
decades, he suddenly changes track and comes out with a collection of
short stories in Punjabi. This is his second collection that has been
published after a long hiatus of 23 years — the first one (Khabarnama)
had come out in 1981. This hiatus has made a huge difference to his
skill. No amateurish pretensions or asymmetrical ebulience this time.
Rather, it is maturity of thought and lexical eloquence all the way in
this volume. The language is smoother, refined and flowing. The themes
are refreshingly original, especially in stories such as Daera-dar-Daera,
Gutter, Rathwan Di Maut. Sometimes, the spirit of a reporter does
make a cameo, especially in Bhanta Amli or Sanjhi Dhupp,
and this allows some didacticism to creep in. But this does not spoil
the overall impact. Rather, it imparts a satirical dimension to
characters and situations. Stories such as Rukhan Di Dastaan and
Surkh Hashiya add a philosophical tinge to the collection. Noted
Punjabi writer and critic Joginder Kairon suggests on the blurb that
Walia’s stories need to be read again and again to tap the depth of
his thoughts and richness of his expression and imagery. This,
certainly, is a valuable suggestion.
Language is considered a prime form of communication. This quality burdens the language itself to find its linguistic moorings and evolve channels and parameters of growth. Punjabi, despite having an ancient origin, had a chequered past in terms of its lexicographical and literary evolution. But after Partition, serious efforts have been made to give it a theoretical edge and impetus and evolve this language more scientifically. Dr Paramjit Singh Dhingra is one such scholar who is engaged in this endeavour. And the level of his commitment is manifest from the two volumes under review. While Bhasha: Sidhant
and Sarokar is a collection of research papers, Noveli Bhasha:
Sanchar Te Vihar is more focussed on a single subject i.e. evolution
of linguistic skills and cannons for novels. Most papers in the first
volume dwell upon the problems being faced in standardisation and
modernisation of Punjabi. The approach towards the subjects in these
twin volumes is fairly scholastic. There is little for the lay readers,
but plenty of insights and reference material for research students.
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Newspaper journalism is
perenially based on hard facts. Facts are generally considered
sacrosanct. And the constant emphasis on thesacrosanct nature often
takes its toll. It makes scribes hard-boiled, cynical, sceptical and
somewhat sneering even in their personal lives. Emotions take a
backseat, creativity is stilted, and jargon rules all over. But some
scribes are blessed. They do not allow their cyncism to take over
sensitivity. Even as they chase, catch and capture hard facts, a window
is kept open for their creative vision. Facts are imbibed and absorbed
but with a humane approach. The mind works mechanically, but the soul
remains elusive. It retains its effusiveness. And when an opportnity
arrives, this creative spirit unleashes itself in forms more sanguine
and passionate than the bland or bouncy news-stories.
