PUNJAB -7 (Art and Culture) - Abhipedia

Abhipedia: Powered by Abhimanu IAS

www.abhipedia.abhimanu.com

PUNJAB -7 (Art and Culture)

Society and Culture of Punjab

• The Special traits of its inhabitants (bravery, generosity, courage, spirit of sacrifice), the amalgam of many languages and cultures and religious cooperation are some such characteristics which give the Punjab a separate identity.

• The Punjabis had to face many invaders due to the geographical position of the province. Their history is replete with the stories of struggle carried and sacrifice made by the Punjab is made by the Punjabis from time to time. They came into contact with many communities, cultures and languages.

• Thus, they developed the traits of bravery, courage, generosity, sacrifice, tolerance, struggle and hard-work. The Punjab was ever threatened with foreign invasions or internal disturbances gripped it. Thus, they adopted the motto of eat, drink and be merry.

• The Sikh gurus also stressed the importance of pious-family life instead of asceticism. In a way the geographical situation of the area, moulded the Sikh philosophy in a big way.

• Owing to its geographical location, the Punjab had to come into contact the different cultures, Ideologies, religions, languages and different modes of living. The Punjabi culture is, thus a synthesis of the Indus Valley, Aryan, Greek, cultures & Sufism, and Islam. It has, thus, been a cradle of different civilizations.

• Since ancient times Punjab had to face many invasions. The Persians, the Greeks, the Shakes, the Kushans, the Hunas, the Arabs, the Mongols, the Turks and the Afghan invaded Punjab. Many of them settled and established marriage ties with the people. The children of inter-caste marriages were not accepted in their communities due to the rigidity of caste system. So many new castes were evolved. Thus, many subcastes of Kshatriyas, Brahmins, Banias, ARoras, Shudras, Jats, Pathans Gokhars, Arains. Gujjars Rajputs Balochs and Syals etc, came into existence.

• Punjab was the Gateway of India and the arena of many battles of foreign invaders. Therefore, it was almost impossible to safeguard, its artistic monuments. The foreign invaders particularly, the Hunas, Mehmud Ghaznavi, Mongols, Nadir Shah and Ahmed Shah Abdali, destroyed many of its historical building, temples, art-pieces and literary compositions.

• Under these circumstances the Punjabis lost interest in art. Some of the art-pieces remained safe in hilly-areas. Kangra school of paintings is a prominent example of this art.

• The culture of the Punjab has developed inspite of it being the area of many wars. Its main reason is its economic strength. Its people encourage literature, cultural activities and religions. The Vedas, the Geeta, the Mahabharata and the Adi granth were composed here only. Taxila was the culture of higher-education in olden days.

• Culturally Punjab can be divided into three regions, Malwa, Majha and Doaba.

http://www.abhipedia.abhimanu.com/



Archaeological Sites in Punjab

• Takht-i-akbari, Kalanaur, Gurudaspur is actually a masonry platform where Akbar the Great was coronated on Feb,14,1556. Akbari Masjid is close by.

• Mausoleums of Ustad & Shagird, Nakodar, Jalandhar: Mohd. Momin Hussaini, the teacher was a musician of Khan-e-Khana-the chamberlian of Emperor Jahangir and Haji Jamal his disciple. These beautiful mausoleums anticipate the architecture of Emperor Humayun’s tomb in Delhi.

• Serai Nurmahal near Nakodar, Jalandhar is an inn associated with Nurjahan, wife of Emperor Jahangir.

• Mughal Sarai, Shambhu (Patiala) is a Caravan Sarai initially constructed by Sher Shah Suri on the Grand Trunk Road connecting Peshawar to Dhaka (now in Bangla Desh).

• Sarai Amanat Khan, Amritsar: Monument has an ornamental Mughal gateway embellished with glazed tiles.

• Tomb of Mir-i-Mran Sirhind: 5 kilometers from Aam Khas Bagh connected by a link road. There are two inscribed Sand Stones with inscriptions. Only one of it is readable; “Subhan daughter of Behlol Lodhi who died on Friday, 11 of Safar 901 Hijri.” The other grave, there, should be of Mir-i-Miran, Amir Sayyid, the son-in-law of the King. Built on a square platform, the semi-circular dome of the tomb is supported by an octangular neck.

• Sabraon War Memorial: at village Jalawala, in Ferozepur district.40 feet high, rectangular is shape, tapering towards the top and built in English bricks, the memorial was raised in 1850 in the memory of the British soldiers who lost their lives during the first Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46).

• Handira Mausoleum, Sultanpur Lodhi, District Kapurthala located on the banks of the river Kali Bein. It is a fine monument of strength, weight and balance built on an octagonal plan with four gates in cardinal directions.

• Bhir, Ludhiana: has the famous mosque built by Mohammad Ghori, 150 years old • Khangah of Abdul Rehman Khan, mausoleum of Alawal Khan built during Shah Jehan’s

reign, the tomb of Bahadur Khan with sloping walls, • 2 storeyed double tomb of Husain Khan, Bilwanwali Masjid, mosque of Kamal-ud-din

Khan/Sarai Doraha on the main highway, Ludhiana dates back to Emperor Jahangir’s time.

Traditional Sikh Teachings

• The Ten Gurus: Traditional Sikhs acknowledge ten historical gurus, beginning with Nanak and ending with Gobind Singh. The guru is viewed as an enlightened being and a manifestation of the Divine. The name Sikh means disciple, since they see themselves as adherents of the ten gurus.

• God: Sikhs are strict monotheists, denying the multifarious images of Gods found in Hinduism. Idols of God are not allowed. God is often referred to as Waheguru.

• The Divine Name: practice the repetition of the Divine Name of God as a form of meditation. • Classic Indian Ideas: Sikhs embrace an Indian worldview including beliefs in reincarnation,

karma and samsara (the cycle of birth and death).




• The Goal: The spiritual goal of Sikhism is to attain moksha (liberation) from the bonds of samsara and thus return to one’s true spiritual home. This can also be thought of as enlightenment.

• Social Teachings: Sikhs reject the caste system, in that all castes can equally pursue spiritual liberation. The four doors to the Golden Temple reflect the view that all castes are welcome. In Sikh social gatherings everyone eats together and prays together; this is a taboo for Hindus.

Important Sikh Terms

Adi Granth The most sacred writings for the Sikhs containing the sayings of the Sikhs gurus and other Sant teachers as well as Muslim and Hindu writings; text is revered as the living guru today receiving the title Guru Granth Sahib

Dasam Granth

Religious text with military concerns allegedly written by Gobind Singh

Khalsa

Refers to the community of the pure or orthodox Sikhs; members of the Khalsa adhere to the five Ks and follow specific prohibitions (no smoking and no eating of Muslim meat); they also assume the name Singh (meaning lion) for the males and Kaur (meaning princess) for the females.

Kirtan Singing praises to God

Janam Sakhis

Hagiographical accounts of the life of Nanak; lit. translates as "birth testimonies"

Panch kakke

Five Ks followed by male members of the Khalsa. The five ks are kesh (uncut hair), kara (bracelet), kanga (comb), kirpan (sword), and kachh (briefs)

Rahit Code of behaviour followed by Khalsa members

Sangat Congregation of earnest devotees

Satsang Attending a spiritual discourse

Sikh Literally translates as "disciple," referring to a disciple of the guru

Simran Repetition of the name of God in meditation

Singh Last name given to Khalsa Sikhs; it translates as "lion" indicating courage (Kaur or princess is used for females)

Wahaguru Honorific title for God; literally means "Praise to the Guru"; also spelled Wahiguru and Waheguru




Religious Literature In Gurmukhi

• There is vast religious literature in Gurmukhi at our disposal. Most of its literature is of primacy historical importance like the Rig Veda. A part of it is more prone to mythology and requires a discerning eye to bring out the factual material.

The Adi-Granth

• The Adi-Granth is the most important historical sources and was compiled by Guru Arjan in 1604. Although its main interest is religious, yet many passages in it are pregnant with factual and historical material.

• We learn much about the life and work of the first Gurus from The Tikke Di Var written by Satta and Daiwand. In Gauri Ki Vari I, Bhai Jetha has given a graphic and authentic account of the life and work of Guru Amar Dass. Another authoritative historical work is written by Sunder under the caption Sachnam Di Bani.

Bachitra Natak

• Bachitra Natak written by Guru Gobind Singh is an equally important and indispensable source of our information. It throws light on the mystery surrounding the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur the early life and career of the author and the social and religious views of the people. Besides providing accurate historical data is a literary specimen of Guru’s versatility and scholarship.

Zafar Nama

• Zafar Nama was a letter written by Guru Gobind Singh to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and throws light on the Mughal-Sikh relations.

The Varas of Bhai Gurdas

• Bhai Gurdas was a talented and prolific writer. His writings cover the periods of Guru Arjan and Guru Hargobind. Although not very reliable historically, yet in more than one way it contains useful information.

• Other Similar works which contain useful information are: -

Janam Sakhi Bhai Bala.

`Gian Ratanavali’ Bhai Mani Singh

`Janam Sakhi’. Sewa Dass

`Janam Sakhi’. Mehrban




`Gur Shobha’. Senapath

`Prachin Panth Parkash’ Bhai Rattan Singh.

`Panth Parkash’ Bhai Gian Singh

`Suraj Parkash’ Bhai Santokh Singh.

`Nanak Parkash’ Bhai Santokh Singh

`Mehma Parkash’ Baba Surup Dass Bhalla.

`Nanak Chandrodya’ Pandit Ganda Ram

`Gur Bilas’ Sukha Singh

`The Biography of `Guru Nanak’ Bhai Vir Singh.

`Vanshawali Nama’ Kesar Singh Chhiber

`Kuj Hor Dharmik Lekh’ Sahib Singh

`Panjabi Sahit Bare’ S.S. Kohli and S.S. Uppal.

`Panjabi Sahit Da Ithas’ Dr. Gopal Dass

`Panjabi Sahit di Utpati te Vikas’ Prof. Kirpal Singh.

`Nawab Kapur Singh’ P.S. Hoti

`Sikhi te Sikh Itihas’ Shamsher Singh.

`Sikh Shahid’ P.S. Datta

`Banda Buhadur’ S. Karam Singh.

`Maharaj Ala Singh’ S. Karni Singh

`Jassa Singh Binod’ R.S. Rao.

`Maharaja Kaura Mal’ Dr. Ganda Singh




Different Types of Sikh Groups

Amritdhari Sikhs

Orthodox, baptized Sikhs who follow the five ks and assume the name Singh for males and Kaur for females. five ks: kesh (long hair wrapped in a turban), kanga (comb), kara (bracelet), kaach (short briefs), kirpan (sword).

Sahaj-dhari Sikhs

Sehajdhari Sikh is a person who performs ceremonies according to the Sikh rites; who does not consume tobacco, katha or halal meat; who is not a patit (apostate) and who can recite moolmantar.

The word Sehajdhari consisted of two words: sehaj which means slowly and dhari which means to adopt. Hence, Sehajdhari Sikhs were those who were born in a non-Sikh family and expressed their desire to adopt Sikhism gradually, adopt its tenets with belief in Guru Granth Sahib and the ten Gurus,"Once a Sehajdhari becomes a keshadhari Sikh, he under no circumstances by cutting or trimming his/her hair, beard or eyebrows can claim to be a Sehajdhari. Similarly, a person born into a Sikh family cannot claim to be a Sehajdhari by trimming or cutting his/her hair, beard or eyebrows in any manner," (SGPC definition)

Keshdhari Sikhs

Sikhs who are not baptized in the Khalsa yet do not cut their hair, and may follow the five ks and use the name Singh/Kaur

3HO Sikhs Healthy, Happy and Holy Sikhs who follow the teachings of Yogi Bhajan in 1968, including strict allegiance to the five ks for both males and females and a vegetarian diet.

Nirankari Sikhs

Sikhs who follow the teachings of Baba Dayal Das, including the necessity of a living guru and the rejection of external signs, such as the five ks

Namdhari Sikhs

Sikhs who follow the teachings of Balak Singh, including allegiance to the Khalsa and the need for a living spiritual guide.

Udasis Sikhs Ascetic Sikhs who trace their lineage back to Nanak’s son Sri Chand.

Folk Music

• As in the rest of the country Sikh religion is deeply connected with music. • In fact, a glossary of music and Ragas are given at the end of the Guru Granth Sahib, the

tradition starting with Mardana, who accompanied Guru Nanak on his travels who sang the bani of Guru Nanak with an ‘ektaara’ and the ‘rhubab’. Classical ragas are used in the ‘shabad kirtan’, gayaki of Punjab. The sixth Guru Hargobind gave patronage to sect of singers who sang only martial songs. Called ‘Dhadis’, they sing at shrines and festivals, ballads, vars, and




about the heroic feats of the Sikhs. Along with the “Dhad” the ‘dhadi’ also uses a sarangi, as a musical accompaniment.

• A strong tradition of the ‘kissa sahitya’ of Punjab is very much part the parcel of Punjabi folk music. The legends of Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal, Sassi Punnu, Puran Bhagat are sung more in a semi classical style. The Punjabi ‘kaffi and kali’ are part of this genre. Related to this is the ‘sufiana kallam’ of Punjab as a result of a strong Sufi tradition in the state. The Heer in particular has a strong sufi base.

• Later in the eighteenth and nineteenth century there started in Punjab a strong school of classical music centering around Patiala known today as the Patiala Gharana. The founders of this gharana were Ustaad Ali Bux and Ustaad Fateh Ali who were great singers in the Patiala Darbar. Their disciples and admirers were numerous. Notable amongst them were Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali and his brother Barkat Ali who brought the Patiala Gharana on the forefront of Khayal gayaki. And thus, started the ‘chau-mukhia’ style, which included dhrupad, khyal thumri and the taraana.

• Each of these styles too have their particular flavour, the energy and zest of the soil of Punjab. Highly decorated, Ustaad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan composed numerous ‘bandishes’ or compositions under the penname of Sabarang. Parallel to this was the growth of a gharana of tabla playing which is also known as the Punjab style, of which Alla Rakha the great tabla maestro belongs.

• The instruments used in Punjabi folk are typical to the region. The ‘toombi’, ‘algoza’, ‘chheka’, ‘chimta’, ‘kaanto’, daphali’, dhad’ and ‘manjira’ are some of the popular traditional folk instruments.

• There are songs which are specific to death. Called ‘Siapah’, there are different kinds of ‘siapah’. Special to individuals, the song of mourning deal with the loss of a brother, sister, mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and are sung in a particular format.

Folk Dances

Bhangra

• Bhangra celebrates the harvest and is associated with the festival of Baisakhi (April 13) To the accompaniment of large drums called dhols, he and his fellow villagers circle round and round in a leaping, laughing caper.

• At marriages, parties, or celebrations of any sort, it is quite common for men to break out in Bhangra.

Gidda

• Women have a different but no less exuberant dance called gidda. The dancers enact verses called bolis, which represent folk poetry at its best.

• The subject matter of these bolis is wide ranging indeed – everything from arguments with the sister-in-law to political affairs figure in these lively songs.

• Aside from the drums, the rhythm of this dance is set by the distinctive hand-claps of the dancers.




Jhumar

• This dance has originally come from Sandalbar (now in Pakistan), but is now very much a part of Punjab folk heritage. It is a dance of graceful gait, based on specific Jhumar rhythm. Dancers circle around the drummer, and keep up a soft, sibilant chorus as they dance.

Luddi

• Luddi is a victory-dance recognizable by the swaying movements of the head. Its costume is a simple loose shirt. The performers place one hand at the back and the other before the face; the body movement is sinuous, snake-like. This is also danced with the drummer in the centre.

Julli

• This dance associated with Muslim holy men called pirs and is generally danced in their hermitages (khangahs). This dance is mostly performed in sitting posture, sometimes it is also danced around the grave of a preceptor. A single dancer can also perform this dance. Normally the dancer wears black.

Dankara

• Also called the gatka dance, this is a dance of celebration. Two men, each holding colourful staves, dance round each other and tap their sticks together in rhythm with the drums. This dance is often part of marriage celebrations.

Dhamal

• Similar to bhangra and is danced by men in a circle.

Jaago

• Literally, “wake up!” When there’s a marriage in the house, girls dance through the village streets carrying a pot (Gaagar) decorated with lightened candles and singing jaago songs.

• The theme of song in the ‘Jaago’ is social and typically a bit of teasing (often aimed at elders) goes with the song.

Kikli

• This dance is performed by women in pairs. They cross their arms, hold each other’s hands and whirl around singing folk songs.

• Sometimes four girls join hands to perform this dance.

Gatka

• Martial dance of Nihang Singhs.




Arts and Crafts

• Punjabis are renowned for their utmost interest in arts and crafts • Women used to weave woollen attire for everybody in the family. “Phulkari” is recognized

worldwide for its intricate work. Shawls in silk are carefully hand-woven using traditional motifs as designs.

• Other famous crafts of the region include lacquer work, wooden work, Calico painting, papier mache` and many more.

• Wooden furniture is beautifully crafted by artisans with exquisite craftsmanship. Venetian lanterns known as “Fanoos” by Muslim artisans are a great display of craftsmanship.

Festivals

• Festivals of Punjab mark fervour and happiness. Every festival is marked with music bringing the family together.

• Some of the major festivals are Lohri, Baisakhi, Holla Muhalla, Guru Nanak Jayanthi and Maghi.

• Lohri is celebrated as harvest festival on the solar equinox when the sun moves to Uttarayan position, by burning huge bonfires

• Baisakhi is another important festival marked with the birth of Khalsa. This is celebrated in the month of April, as three days celebration.

• Holla Mohalla (Holi) is celebrated with great fervour using colours to mark the onset of spring season.

• Guru Nanak Jayanthi: birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib is celebrated on Karthik Purnima, with utmost devotion by the whole Sikh community.

Languages

• The Punjab was predominately a Punjabi speaking territory. Besides no less than six other languages were spoken and the dialects were numerous.

• Lehndi or western Punjabi was the prevailing dialect in the Hazara, Dera Ismail Khan Multan, Jhang district, Doabi in Jullundur Doab, Malwai in Majha, Majhi in Majha, and Bangru in Haryana.

• Pushtu was the common language in Peshawar, Kohat and Bannu, Rajasthani was the collective name for the dialects of Rajputana which overflowed into the Punjab, occupying a strip along the southern frontier from Bahawalpur to Gurgaon.

• There was also infiltration of English words and phrases into the languages of the province.

Sports

• Guru Hargobind had started the tradition of holding wrestling bouts within the precincts of Akal Takht Sahib and it is mostly because of the fillip that he gave and the seal of ethics that he put on them that sports become a proud facet of life in Punjab.

• Almost sixty years ago when the Grewal Sports Association had begun to hold competitions in rural sports at Village Quila Raipur little would have anyone thought that this tournament




will become a movement in Punjab. • Today in almost 7000 villages in Punjab in one decade or the other rural sports competitions

are being held. Rural folk organise them. It is they who extend all hospitality to the competitors also. In fact, these village sports have opened the floodgates of village development

• Before Independence in 1947 major importance was given only to Kabaddi and wrestling, after Independence the circle of rural sports also got widened. The rustic "Khido Khoondi" (literally a ball made out of cuttings of cloth and a stick twisted at the end like a flat hockey blade) was replaced by proper hockey and players from villages, having no facilities beyond uneven grounds to play began to dominate in the game. Twelve of our country's greatest hockey players have come out of a single village called SANSARPUR in Jalandhar District.

• Recently not only revival of sports fairs has taken place in Punjab but their number has also increased tremendously. Twenty years ago, their number was limited.

• Now sports meets are held almost in every significant village in Punjab. • Following the Kila Raipur Rural Sports meet the Kalgidhar Tournament of Kamalpur has also

completed half-a-century. Dhudike's Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Sports Fair has completed three decades. Gujarwal, Mullanpur, Sahnewal, Ghungali Rajputtana Hambla., Dhamto are flourishing. The -small sports meets of Lalto Kalan, Dhurkot, Rauni, Dyalpur, Rurka Kalan, Bhinder Kalan, Duare-ana are gaining stature day by day.

Famous Personalities

• Three former Indian Prime Ministers including Dr Manmohan Singh, I K Gujral and Gulzarilal Nanda were Punjabis.

• Another Punjabi to occupy the topmost post in India was the former President of India Giani Zail Singh.

• Professor Har Gobind Khorana, famous Nobel laureate is a Punjabi. • The first Indian in Outer space is a Punjabi - Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma.

Baldev Singh (1902-1961)

• Baldev Singh was industrialist, politician and the first Defence Minister of India at Independence was born on 11 July 1902, to a Sikh family of Chokar Jatts at the village of Dummna, in Ropar district of the Punjab. In the first general election held under the Constitution in 1952, he was elected to Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha) on Congress nomination, but was not included in the Cabinet by Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. He was reselected to Parliament in 1957. He died in Delhi on 29 June 1961.

Bhai Bala Ji

• Bhai Bala who was a life-long companion of Guru Nanak, was the son of Chandar Bhan, a Sandhu Jatt of Talvandi Rai Bhoi, now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.

• The anecdotes narrated by Bala were recorded in Gurmukhi characters in Guru Angad’s presence by another Sikh, Paira Mokha. The result was what is known as Bhai Bale Vali Janam Sakhi, a hagiographical account of Guru Nanak’s life. Bhai Bala died in 1544 at Khadur Sahib.




Bhai Bhagatu Brar

• Bhai Bhagatu Brar was a devoted Sikh who served the Fifth, Sixth and the Seventh Gurus. • He was son of Adam (Uddam in some chronicles), a Siddhu Brar of Malva country. A

gurdwara, Bhalana Bhagatu, named after the celebrated Bhai is located near village Gobindpura, about 11 km northeast of Bathinda.

• An annual fair is held there on the occasion of Baisakhi. Bhai Kahn Singh (1861 - 1938)

• Bhai Kahn Singh was a celebrated scholar and encyclopaedist, born on August 30 1861 in a Dhillon Jatt family at the village of Sabaz Banera, in what then used to be the territory of the princely ruler of Patiala. From the Nabha Maharaja’s private secretary to judge of the High Court, he held several different appointments in the state, serving for a brief interregnum, 1915-17, in the neighbouring Sikh state of Patiala.

• From among Bhai Kahn Singh’s works, Gurushabad Ratanakar Mahan Kosh (1930), an encyclopaedia of Sikh literature, His maiden work Raj Dharam (1884), written at the instance of Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha, was followed by Nanak Bhavarth Dipika (1888), In 1898, he published Ham Hindu Nahin which set forth forcefully the Singh Sabha standpoint with regard to Sikh identity.

• The Gurmat Prabhakar, a glossary of Sikh terminology, concepts and institutions, was published in 1898, and Gurmat Sudhakar, an anthology of important Sikh texts, scriptural and historical, in 1899.

• His Guru Chand Divakar (1924) and Gur sabad Alankar (1925) deal primarily with rhetoric and prosody employed in the Guru Granth Sahib and some other Sikh texts. His Gur Gira Kasauti answers some of the questions raised by his pupil, Tikka Ripudaman Singh, about the meanings of certain hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib, and his Sharab Nikhedh (1907) is a work stressing the harmful effects of drinking.

• Among his other works are tikas or exegeses of Jaimant Assamedh (1896), Visnu Purana (1903), Sadu and Chandi di Var (1935). From among his works which were published posthumously, Gurmat Martand (2 volumes) which essentially follows the format of his earlier Gurmat Prabhakar but includes much more explanatory material was published in 1960. A travelogue was published in 1984.

Bhai Puran Singh (1904 -1992)

• Bhai Puran Singh ji in undoubtedly the single Sikh Hero of this century who worked totally selflessly all his life to provide the last hope to the mentally and terminally ill patients.

• Bhagat Puran Singh, born at Rajewal, Distt. Ludhiana on June 4 1904., • He founded Pingalwara in 1947 with a few discarded patients. He was also a writer as well

as publisher and an environmentalist. Pingalwara is a very big home of human service. • His dedication was awarded with heaps of honours by many quarters. Prestigious among

these was the Padamshri award in 1979, which he surrendered in the wake of the army attack on the Golden Temple in 1984. He left for his heavenly abode on August 5, 1992.




Bhai Santokh Singh (1787 - 1853)

• Bhai Santokh Singh (1787 - 1843) was a poet and historian, born on 8 October 1787 at Nurudin village, in Amritsar district. Here Santokh Singh wrote Nam Kosh, a versified Hindi translation of Amar Kosa, the famous Sanskrit dictionary (completed in 1821), and Sri Guru Nanak Prakash,

• Santokh Singh is said to have spent some time at Patiala also as an employee of Maharaja Karam Singh before going to Kathal. During his 18-year span at Kaithal, now a district town in Haryana, he wrote Garab Ganjani Tikka (1829), an exhaustive philosophical commentary in Hindi prose on Guru Nanak’s Japu, along with a critical appreciation of its poetic features (the work was meant to be a rejoinder to Anandghana’s tika of the Japu); Valimiki Ramayan (1834), a versified translation of the epic in chaste and refined Braj Bhasa ; translation of Atma Purana in Sadhukari prose; and his magnum opus Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, a voluminous history of the Gurus in Braj Bhasa consisting of 51,820 verses written during 1835-43.

• The poet died at Kaithal on 19 October 1843, soon after completion of his Gur Pratap Suraj Granth.

Bhai Vir Singh (1872-1957)

• Bhai Vir Singh was a poet, scholar and exegete, a major figure in the Sikh renaissance and in the movement for the revival and renewal of Punjabi literary tradition. For his pioneering work in its several different genres, he is acknowledged as the creator of modern Punjabi literature.

• Born on 5 December 1872, in Amritsar, • Bhai Vir Singh took active interest in the affairs of Singh Sabha movement. To promote its

aims and objects, he launched in 1894 the Khalsa Tract Society. In November 1899, he started a Punjabi weekly, the Khalsa Samachar. He was among the principal promoters of several of the Sikh institutions, such as Chief Khalsa Diwan, Sikh Educational Society (1908) and the Punjab and Sind Bank (1908).

• Interest in corporate activity directed towards community development remained Bhai Vir Singh’s constant concern, simultaneously with his creative and scholarly pursuits. In this engagement and, at the same time, in his eschewal of political activity, the Christian missionary example was apparently his model.

• In literature, Bhai Vir Singh started as a writer of romances which proved to be the forerunners of the Punjabi novel. His writings in this genre- Sundari (1898), Bijay Singh (1899), Satvant Kaur (published in two parts, I in 1900 and II in 1927)- were aimed at recreating the heroic period (eighteenth century) of Sikh history. Through these novels he made available to his readers typical models of courage, fortitude and human dignity.

• Bhai Vir Singh’s quest for new forms of expression continued. Soon after the pubtication of Rana Surat Singh in book form in 1919, he turned to shorter poems and Lyrics. In quick succession came Dil Tarang (1920), Earel Tupke (1921), Lahiran de Har (1921), Matak Hulare (1922), and Bijlian de Har (1927). Following at some distance was Mere Salan Jio (1953). In this poetry, Bhai Vir Singh’s concerns were more aesthetic than didactic, metaphysical or mystical. He refined the old verse forms and created new ones. The metrical patterns Kabir, Soratha, Baint, etc., which he inherited from classical Punjabi literature, were transformed into lights nimble measures.




• By grafting Soratha and Sirkhandv forms on English blank verse, he paved the way for the emergence of Punjabi poem. He revised and enlarged Giani Hazara Singh’s dictionary, Sri Guru Granth Kosh, originally published in 1898. The revised version, published in 1927, gave evidence of Bhai Vir Singh’s command of the science of etymology and of the classical and modern languages. He published critical editions of some of the old Sikh texts such as Sikhan di Bhagat Mala (1912), Prachin Panth Prakash (1914), Puratan Janam Sakhi (1926) and Sakhi Pothi (1950).

Dr. Dalip Kaur Tiwana

• Dr. Dalip Kaur Tiwana is universally regarded as one of the leading Punjabi novelists of today. • Dr. Dalip Kaur’s literary career as a creative writer commenced with the publication of her

first book of short stories Sadhna in 1961, Her second novel Eho Hamara Jeevna won her the Sahitya Akademy Award in 1972. Thereafter, virtually every one of her works won her an award.

• The Ministry of Education and Social Welfare honoured her book of stories for children called pa11jan IJiCh Parmeshwar in 1975, while the Department of Languages, Government of Punjab, conferred the “Nanak Singh Puruskar” on her novel Peele Patian di Dastan in 1980 and “Gurmukh Singh Mu safir Puruskar” on her autobiography Nange pa rion da Safa r in 1 982.

• Awards and honours have flowed from outside the Punjab as well. In 1985, the International Association of Punjabi Artists and Authors (IAAPA) based in Canada honoured her with an award in 1985. “Nanjanagudu Thirumalamba” award for her novel Katha Kuknoos Di came from Shashwathi, Karnataka and “Vagdevi” award for Duni Suhava Bagh was given by Bhartiya Bhasha Parishad, Calcutta, in 1998.

• For her outstanding contribution to Punjabi literature, Dr. Dalip Kaur received the “Shiromani Sahityakar” award from the Punajb Government in 1987, the “Best Novelist of the Decade” award from Punjabi Academy, Delhi, in 1994 and the “Kartar Singh Dhaliwal” award from Punjabi Sahit Academy, Ludhiana.

• She was among the distinguished Sikh personalities who were honoured on the occasion of the Tricentenary Celebrations of the Birth of the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib in 1999.

Darshan Singh Pheruman(1885-1969)

• Darshan Singh Pheruman was a political leader, born at the village of Pherumans in present-day Amritsar district, on 1 August 1885. In 1921, he was arrested in the morcha launched by Sikhs for recovering from the British deputy commissioner of Amritsar keys of the Golden Temple treasury he had seized, and was imprisoned for one year. In December 1924, he led the 14th Shahldi jatha to Jaito, and was jailed for ten months. He also took part in the non-cooperation movement, Civil Disobedience movement and Quit India campaign during the Second World War.

• He was elected a member of the Rajya Sabha as a nominee of the Indian National Congress and retained his seat up to 1964. In 1959, he severed his connection with the Congress and joined the Swatantra Party of which he was one of the founders.




Professor Ganda Singh (1900-1987)

• Professor Ganda Singh (1900-1987), celebrated Punjab historian who by his sustained and pioneer work in the field of historical research initiated new trends in Sikh historiography was born on 15 November 1900.

• The Government of India honoured him with the award of Padma Bhushan in 1983. Dr Ganda Singh died at Patiala on 27 December 1987.

Giani Ditt Singh (1853-1901)

• Giani Ditt Singh was a scholar, poet and journalist. • He was an eminent Singh Sabha reformer and editor. He was born on 21 April 1853 at Kalaur,

a village in Patiala district of the Punjab. • He wrote more than forty books and pamphlets on Sikh theology and history and on current

polemics. Well-known among his works are: Guru Nanak Prabodh, Guru Arjan Chariltar, Dambh Bidaran, Durga Prabodh, Panth Prabodh, RajPrabodh, Mera ate Sadhu Dayanand da Sambad, Naqh SiAh Prabodh and Panth Sudhar Binai Pattar. He also published accounts of the martyrdoms of Tara Singh of Van, Subeg Singh, Matab Singh Mirankotia , Taru Singh and Bota Singh.

Giani Gian Singh (1822-1921)

• Giani Gian Singh (1822-1921), poet and historian, was born of a Dullat Jatt family on 15 April 1822, at Laungoval, a village in present-day Sangrur district of the Punjab.

• Dhanna Singh Malvai introduced him to the Maharaja who employed him to recite the Sukhmani to him every morning.

• In 1857, he came in touch with Pandit Tara Singh Narotam, a renowned scholar of the Nirmala school, whom he acknowledges in his writings as his literary mentor.

• Giam Gian Singh was launched on his own distinguished career as a writer with the publication in 1880 of his Panth Prakash, a history of the Sikhs in Braj verse.

• He died there on 24 September 1921. The Panth Prakash and Twarikh Guru Khalsa are the most important but not the only works of Giani Gian Singh. His other books are: Suraj Prakash Vartak, an abridged version in prose of Bhai Santokh Singh’s Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth; Ramayan Bhai Mani Singh Ji Di; Twarikh Amritsar (Urdu); Twarikh Lahore (Urdu); Patit Pavan; Gurdham Sangrah; Bhupendranand; Itihas Bagarian and Ripudaman Prakash.

Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir (1899-1976)

• Gurmukh Singh Musafir, Poet and politician, was born the son of Sujan Singh on 15 January 1899 at Adhval, in Campbellpore district, now in Pakistan.

• He gave up teaching to plunge into the Akali agitation for gurdwara reform. For taking part in the Guru ka Bagh agitation in 1922, he underwent imprisonment. Side by side with his involvement in religious reformation, he started taking interest in nationalist politics and courted arrest in the Civil Disobedience launched by the Indian National Congress in 1930.

• The same year he was appointed head (Jathedar) of Sri Akal Takht, central seat of religious authority for the Sikhs. He held this office from 12 March 1930 to 5 March 1931. He went to jail again in Satyagrah (1939-41) and Quit India (1942-45) movements. He was elected a member of the Lok Sabha successively in 1952, 1957 and 1962. He did not complete his last




term in the Lok Sabha and resigned in 1966 to take over as chief minister of the reorganized state of the Punjab on 28 March 1968, he reentered Parliament, this time as a member of the Rajya Sabha

• An active politician throughout his life, Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir also won renown as a poet and writer His published works include nine collections of poems— Sabar de Ban, Prem Ban, Jivan Pandh, Musafarian, Tutte Khamb, Kav Sunehe, Sahaj Seti, Vakkhra Vakkra Katra Katra and Dur nere; eight of short stories vakkhri Duniya, Ahlane de Bol, Kandhan Bol Paian, Satai Janvari, Allah Vale, gutar, Sabh Achcha, and Sasta Tamasha; and four biographical works - vekhia sunia Gandhi, Vekhia Sunya Nehru, Baghi Jarnail and Vihin Sadi de Shahid. He represented Indian writers at International conferences at Stockholm in 1954, and at Tokyo in 1961. He was posthumously decorated wilh Padma Vibhushan, the second highest national award of India.

• Giani Gurmukhi Singh Musafir died in Delhi on 18 January 1976. Dr. Gurdev Singh Khush

• Sikh scientist Dr. Gurdev Singh Khush with his dedication and hard worked developed more than 200 varieties of Rice.

• Dr. Gurdev S. Khush is a plant breeder and geneticist at International Rice Institute at Phillipines. In 1967, Khush joined International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and has been at the forefront in improving rice varieties ever since.

• Khush has been the recipient of numerous awards including Japan Prize from the Japan Center for Science and Technology in 1987 and the World Food Prize in 1996 that he shared with retired IRRI colleague Mr. Henry Beachell.

• Dr. Gurdev Singh Khush now lives in Philippines with his family Gurbachan Singh Talib (1911-1986)

• Gurbachan Singh Talib was a scholar, author and teacher, famous for his command of the English language. He was born in a small town, Munak, in the present Sangrur district, on 7 April 1911,

• Professor Gurhachan Singh Talib was a prolific writer both in English and Punjabi, though he knew Persian and Urdu very well, too. Among his best-known books in Punjabi are: Anapachhate Rah (1952); Adhunik Punjabi Sahit (Punjabi Kav) (1955); Pavittar Jivan Kathavan (1971); Baba Shaikh Farid (1975), and in English “Muslim League Attack on the Sikhs and Hindus in Punjab, 1947 (1950)”; The Impact of Guru Gobind Singh on Indian Society (1966), Guru Nanak: His Personality and Vision (1969), Bhai Vir Singh: Life, Times and Works (1973); Baba Sheikh Farid (1974); Guru Tegh Bahadur: Background and Supreme Sacrifice (1976) Japuji: The immortal Prayer-chant (1977); and his classical translation in English of the Adi Guru Granth (Four Volumes). Besides these books, he kept an unending flow of articles and papers contributed to different journals.

Baba Gurdit Singh

• He was born in 1860 at Sarhali, district Amritsar of the Punjab. In 1911 he raised his voice against forced labour. He wrote to the Government complaining against officials who forced




poor villagers to work for them without remuneration, and when he received no response. • He chartered a Japanese ship, Kamagata Maru in 1914 to go to Canada where the

government had put restrictions on the entry of Indians. The ship, renamed as Guru Nanak Jahaj, had a total of 372 passengers out of whom 351 were Sikhs and 21 Punjabi Muslims.

Harchand Singh Laungowal (1932-1985)

• Sant Harchand Singh Laungowal was a Sikh political and religious leader in 1970’s and 1980’s.

• In 1965, he became the president of the Akali Jatha of Sangrur District and a member of the working committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal.

• Harchand Singh retired from politics in 1977 but was recalled in 1980 to lead Akali Dal, then he was made president of Akali Dal. His presidentship of party was a period of extreme turmoil and trial for Sikhs.

• However, the general elections of January 1985 saw the Sikhs busily involved in electioneering. After this election, Harchand Singh Laungowal and Rajiv Gandhi prime minister of India signed an accord (Rajiv- under which many of demands of Sikhs were accepted by Rajiv Gandhi. But before the process had come full circle, the Sant was shot by an unidentified young man presumed to be an extremist Sikh Youth. This happened on 20 August, 1985 at the Gurdwara in Sherpur, not far from Laungowal.

Ghadriite Harnam Singh Tundilat (1882-1962)

• Ghadriite Harnam Singh Tundilat (1882-1962), a Ghadar revolutionary was born, 11 March 1882, in Hoshiarpur district of the Punjab. On 12 July 1906, he emigrated to Canada and then to California in the United States of America in December 1909.

• He attended a meeting of Indian immagrants at Portland in the beginning of 1912 which led to the formation of Hindustani Workers of the Pacific Coast, later renamed Hindi Association of the Pacific Coast, but populally known as the Ghadr Party.

• Harnam Singh was a revolutionary poet and a writer of prose of considerable merit. Three collections of his poems have been published Harnam Lafairan, Kurltl SudSIar and Harnam Sandesh. His prose works include Sacheha Sauda, Akhlaq te Mazhab, both in Punjabi, and Mazhab aur Insaniat, in Urdu.

Maharaja Yadavinder Singh

• Maharaja Yadavinder Singh (Sidhu) (1913-1974) was a Grand Commander of the Indian Empire, was the last hereditary ruler of the erstwhile Indian princely state of Patiala.

• Maharaja Yadavinder Singh founded the Khalsa Defence of India League. His support of the War effort was rewarded in 1944 by an honorary appointment as Lieutenant-Colonel in the Indian army.

• On 1 August 1947, twenty-two members of states, with Maharaja Yadavinder Singh leading, signified their decision to accede to the Indian Union and others followed in quick succession. In May 1948 he gave his assent to the merger of Patiala with seven other Punjab states to constitute what came to be known as the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU).

• In November 1952, in accordance with the recommendations of the States Reorganization Comission, PEPSU was merged With East Punjab and Yadavinder Singh, Thereafter Prime




Minister Jawaharlal Nehru sent him to New York as a member of tlle Indian delegation to the 11th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

• In 1965, the Lal Bahadur Shastri government appointed him to the prestigious post of Indian Ambassador in Rome, where he served until 1967.

• Throughout the late 1969’s, Yadavinder Singh continued his association with FAO and the Council of Sports, and in 1970 took on a new role as chairman of the Indian horticulture development council. In 1971, Yadavinder Singh took up his second and last permanent diplomatic postings at the Hague in the Netherlands. Three years later, on 17 June 1974, he suffered a severe heart attack and died. He was 61 years of age.

Master Tara Singh (1885 - 1967)

• Master Tara Singh was born in a Punjabi Hindu Malhotra family of Rawalpindi. It is indeed remarkable that from humble origins he arose to the top of Sikh leadership, culminating with the creation of Punjabi State in Independent India.

• Tara Singh Malhotra is remembered for two things, one steering Sikhs towards opting for India in 1947 and other to campaign for the state of Punjab in Independent India.

Sardul Singh Caveeshar (1886-1963)

• Sardul Singh Caveeshar (1886-1963) was a politician, newspaper editor and author, born at Amritsar in 1886, In 1913 he launched an English journal, Sikh Review, from Delhi. For a series of articles, he had published in the Akali from 13 to 21 March 1921 on the massacre of reformist Sikhs at Nankana Sahib, he was arrested on 27 May 1921, charged with sedition and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

• In 1927, he was elected a member of the Working Committee of the Indian National Congress. During the Civil Disobedience movement, 1931-33, Sardul Singh became acting president of the All-lndia Congress.

• Sardul Singh was a prolific writer. The most famous are Guru Nanak and World peace, All Year Round: Guru Arjan’s Twelve Months of love and Worship, battle of Life: How Guru Gobind Singh fought it, Guru Gobind Singh and national movement, The Cross and the Crown, Republicanism in religion, the city of joy, spirit of sikhism, A Sikh king: Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Two Jewels of the house of Phul, The problem of life: How Guru Nanak solved it, India’s fight for freedom (1936), Sikh studies(1937), Sikhs and the Swaraj, non-violent non-cooperation, The Lahore Fort Torture Camp (1946)

• His Sikh Dharm Darshan in Punjabi was published by Punjabi University, Patiala in 1969. Sobha Singh (1901-1986)

• Sobha Singh was a famous Sikh painter, famous especially for his portraits of the Gurus. He was born on 29 November l901 in a Ramgarhia family of Sri Hargobindpur, in Gurdaspur district of the Punjab.

• Sobha Singh was skilled in the western classical technique of oil painting. • Sohni-Mahinval was rated to be a real masterpiece; its impact upon the Puniabi

consciousness was of a lasting nature. What gave Sobha Singh the utmost satisfaction was his paintings of the Gurus of the Sikh faith.

• Much acclaimed and honoured in his lifetime, Sobha Singh died in Chandigarh on 21 August




1986. Sir Sobha Singh (1890-1978)

• Sir Sobha Singh (1890-1978) was the single largest builder and real estate owner of New Delhi, was the elder of the two sons of Sujan Singh, the younger one being Wajal Singh who made himself famous as a Punjab parliamentarian.

• Despite this handicap, he became the first lndian president of the New Delhi Municipal Committee. He was knighted by the government and appointed a member of the Council of States. Sobha Singh left the greater part of his private estate to a charitable trust. Among his last bequests was one for Bhagat Puran Singh’s Pingalvara in Amritsar, home for lepers.

• Sir Sobha Singh had four sons and a daughter by his wife, Lady Varyam Kaur. Writer and author, his son “KS” or Khushwant Singh has made himself known the world over for his audacious and fresh style of writing.

Bhai Randheer Singh ji

• Bhai Randheer Singh, whose original name before baptism and initiation into the Khalsa fold was Basant Singh, was born in the village of Narangwal in the Ludhiana District of Punjab on July 7, 1878.

• He, along with the Ghadarite emigrants from USA and Canada, became an active participant in the armed revolt against the British Government for the country’s freedom.

Professor Puran Singh (1881-1931)

• Professor Puran Singh, poet and scientist, was born on 17 February 1881 at Sarhadd (Abottabad) He published for some time an English monthly, the Thundering Dawn, which also mainly addressed itself to the theme of British repression in India. got married to Maya Devi.

• He was a lover of nature and beauty, and wrote beautiful and tender poetry both in English and Punjabi. Among his famous works in English are The Sisters of the Spinning Wheel (1921), Unstrung Beads (1923), The Spirit of Onental Poetry (1926); in Punjahi, Khulhe Maidan, Khulhe Ghu,nd (1923), Khulhe Lekh (1929), and Khulhe Asmani Rang ( 1927).

Dr. Parkash Kaur

• The first lady minister of East Punjab (1956), and was given the portfolios of Social welfare and Health.

• Dr. Parkash Kaur was born in village Khara in the year 1914. She was a member of the Kasturba Memorial Trust established for rehabilitation of refugees. She continued operating Red Cross camps in villages. She was a member of the State Social Welfare Board continuously from 1954 to 1978 and worked endlessly for the welfare of women and children.

Milkha Singh

• Sardar Milkha Singh is the greatest living Sikh Athlete. He deservedly got an epithet named




“Flying Sikh” from Pakistan General Ayub Khan. Till date the ‘Flying Sikh’ is the only Indian to have broken an Olympic record. Unfortunately, he was the fourth athlete to reset the mark and thus missed the bronze medal in the 400m event at the Rome Olympics in 1960.

Kaur Singh Chakkar (1892-1954 A.D.)

• Chakkar Kaur Singh belonged to Averha Chakkar, Tehsil Uri, District Muzzffarabad, Kashmir. He did not marry and devoted himself to missionary work of Sikh religion. During the tribal invasion of Kashmir, he lost 111 relatives including his aged mother. This stirred him into action. He went to Delhi and became guide of the first Indian army which landed at Srinagar to stem the tide of tribal invasion and remained there till cease-fire was declared. Later on, he devoted himself to the recovery of abducted women. In 1951, he met one Goodwill Mission from Pakistan, convinced them about the miserable conditions of women and children at Amor Camp and was also able to secure a promise of help.

Sardar Kishen Singh ji

• Sardar Kishen Singh belonged to village Birang, district Jalandhar. He was a Havaldar Major in 2/35 Sikh regiment. He was court martialled for twenty-eight days on the charge of propaganda against the Government and was pensioned off. He joined Akali movement in 1920 A.D. For being a good preacher, he was made secretary of the Akali Dal in April 1921 A.D.

• He held a conference at Rurka Kalan in Jalandhar District and named his preacher Jatha as ‘Chakravart Jatha’ (Squad on the move). In August 1922 A.D. he started a secret newspaper by the name of Babbar Akali Doaba and renamed their squad as ‘Babbar Akali Jatha’. Provoking articles and emotional poems were published in that newspaper.

Pehelvan Kikkar Singh Sandhu (1857-1914)

• Kikkar Singh Sandhu ‘Pehelvan’ was a wrestler of legendary fame. He was born in 1857 in Lahore district (now in Pakistan). Kikkar Singh was counted as the leading Indian wrestler and one among the best in the world.

Baba Khem Singh Bedi (1832-1905)

• Baba Khem Singh Bedi one of the founders of the Singh Sabha movement, was born on 21 February 1832 at Kallar, a small town in Rawalpindi district, now in Pakistan. He was a direct descendant, in the thirteenth place, of Guru Nanak. On 8 April 1905, he left Peshawar by rail in a state of’ serious sickness and feebleness, and died at Montgomery on 10 April 1905.

Sardar Khushwant Singh

• He is the high priest of journalism and can be said to be India’s best. he is a free thinker and an international celebrity. Khushwant Singh had become a legend and an icon in his lifetime. He is a lawyer, critic and columnist. He is a prolific writer and historian.




Kharak Singh (1868 - 1963)

• Baba Kharak Singh was a Sikh political leader and virtually the first president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, was born on 6 June 1868 at Sialkot, now in Pakistan

• After 1947, he stayed in Delhi in virtual retirement, and died there on 6 October 1963 at the ripe age of 95.

Sardar Kapur Singh (1909 - 1986)

• Sirdar Kapur Singh was a civilian, parliamentarian and intellectual. He was master of many-sided learning Besides Sikh theology, he was vastly learned in philosophy, History and literature. He was selected into the Indian Civil Service and served in various administrative posts in the cadre in 1947, he was appointed deputy commissioner of Kangra.


PUNJAB -7 (Art and Culture) - Abhipedia

Documents

Transcript of PUNJAB -7 (Art and Culture) - Abhipedia