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Surjit Patar
and Sardar Panchhi honored at North American Punjabi Literary
Conference
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA:
These are the men
who helped scribble on the sands of time the intense feelings of
Punjabi ethos. And it was a function meant to say thank you. The
North American Punjabi Literary conference organized by Vishav
Punjabi Sahit Academy (VIPSA) of California, attended by a large
gathering of Punjabi writers, poets and audience, featured a number
of academic, poetry recital and music sessions throughout the day.
The Academy honored the celebrated Punjabi poet Surjit Patar with a
beautiful
plaque and Rs 51,000 cash, appreciating
his impressive contribution to the Punjabi language and literature.
The
first such honor was given last year to Dr. Jagtar, another renowned
contemporary poet of Punjabi language. The conference was
inaugurated by Surjit Patar with kind words of encouragement and
predictions for a brighter future for Punjabi languageand
literature. Surjit Patar also released the literary magazine,
“Vishav Punjabi Sahit-2”, a collection of selected writings of
about 75 Punjabi writers living around the globe in various
countries edited by Surinder Seerat and other Academy writers.
Kulwinder, chairman of the VIPSA in his welcome address said that
our goal is to introduce Punjabi literature through love of books
and language to every home where Punjabi is spoken. In the academic
session conducted by Darshan Natt, papers were presented by Surinder
Seerat and Dr. Gurumel Sidhu on contemporary Punjabi literature and
poetry in North America. Resham Sidhu conducted story reading
session where Punjabi short stories were narrated for the audience
by Karam Singh Mann and Amanpal Sara. A discussion mediated by
Harjinder Kang on the role of Punjabi media in the propagating the
Punjabi literature was well attended.
Daljit Sra, Editor of Amritsar Times, Dr. Surjit Patar, Dr. Gurumel
Sidhu and Satish Gulati presented their views on the subject. In the
book release session, 11 books of Punjabi poetry, short story and
biographies was released which included “Ikatti Nageenay” edited by
included Kulwinder and Darshan Natt, Harjinder Kang’s “Chup de
tukray”, Karam Singh Mann’s “Heth wagay darya”, Surjit Kaur’s
“Shikasat rang”, Harbhajan Dhillon’s “dhol utte jagg nachda”, Prem
Kumar’s “Ardh Shatabadi”, Surjeet Kalsey’s “naam tihare”, Amanpal
Sara’s “Diamond Ring” among others and Urdu poetry collection of
Sardar Panchhi “Sooraj ki shakhein” in Gurmukhi script. Besides
Surjit Patar, Academy also honored popular poet of Urdu from Punjab,
Sardar Panchhi with a plaque and
Rs 25,000 cash award. Sardar Panchhi came from India to attend the
conference along with Surjit Patar and Satish Gulati. Chairman of
Academy Harbhajan Dhillon for year 2005 and General Secretary Jagjit
Naushehrvi for years 2004-2006 were also honored with plaques for
their co ntribution in organizing the Academy activities. Surjit
Patar distributed plaques of appreciation to patrons of Academy
Jasvir Gill, Somraj Singh Raj and Dennis Bhachu.An excellent Kavi
Darbar was conducted by Surinder Seerat and presided by Surjit Patar,
Sardar Panchhi, Kulwinder and Mohinderdeep Grewal.
The
Kavi Darbar reached its peak with the recitals by Surjit Patar and
Sardar Panchhi. Other prominent poets who participated in the kavi
darbar included Dr. Sukhpal Sanghera, Resham Sidhu, Farukh Taraz,
Azad Jallandhari, Jasvir Gill, Ishar Singh Moman, Dr. Prem Kumar,
Paul Dhillon, Surjeet Kalsey, Major Bhupinder Daler, Harbhajan
Dhillon, Pankaj, Jas Fiza,Darshan Pataravi, Noshi Gilani and
Mohinderdeep Grewal. Other writers who participated in the
conference were Sukhwinder Kamboz, Jyoti Singh, Mohinder Singh Ghagg,
Harbans Singh Jagiasu, Kamal Banga, Amandeep Boparai, Manjit Kaur
Sekhon, Dr. Amreek Singh, Satnam Singh Chahal, Bakhshish Kaur Sandhu,
Gurbakhash Singh Sachdev, Piara Singh, Surinder Dhanoa and Upkar
Singh etc. A marvellous music concert was conducted by Asha Sharma
in the concluding session where Sukhdev Sahil, Narinder Kumar Bagga
and Surjit Bawa’s team participated.
6 December 2006
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