Amritsar Literature Festival: Punjabi scholars discuss problems, prospects for Maa Boli

Amritsar, February 22

Punjabi singer Pammi Bai, poetry and bhangra performances kept the audience in raptures on the second day of the Amritsar Literature Festival at Khalsa College. The day commenced with a discussion dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Punjabi, as development and progression of the language was discussed with speakers including Punjabi scholars, moderated by Dr Mehal Singh. Punjabi University Patiala academician Dr Gurmukh Singh, Head of Punjabi Department at Delhi University, Dr Kulveer Gojra and Naresh Kumar from the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala, along with historian Dr Inderjit Singh Gogoani participated and discussed the problems and prospects of higher education in Punjabi. A souvenir commemorating the 75th anniversary of the launch of Punjabi Department in Khalsa College was also released.

The day progressed with Punjabi poet Darbar, Padma Shri awardee poet Surjit Patar and special guest Surinder Sunnar as guests. Dr Lakhwinder Johal, president, Punjabi Sahitya Akademi, Ludhiana, eminent expatriate Punjabi poets Ravinder Sehra (USA), Parminder Sodhi (Japan), Inderjit Singh Purewal (USA), Jasveer Gill (USA), Dr Karnell Shergill (England) and Harkanwal Sahil (Canada) besides Swaranjit Svi, Darshan Buttar, Jaswant Jafar, Sushil Dusanjh, Balwinder Sandhu, Vijay Vivek and Bhupinderpreet from Punjab presented their poetry along with some from the new generation Punjabi poets.

Singer Pammi Bai, who spoke during the last session of the day, recalled his memories of college and enthralled the audience with his singing.