Felicitation of a living legend for his invaluable contribution to Punjabi language its literature, poetry, song and film scripts bestowed padamshri this year.
Ludhiana Sanskriti Samagam has the privilege of bringing to its members the glimpses of the life and times of the legendary poets like Ghalib, Kaifi Azami & Faiz Ahmed Faiz. We have also brought the rich Punjabi tradition of culture of performing arts including singers like Gurdas Mann and Hans Raj Hans.
This time we bring a unique programme – face to face with the living legend Dr. Surjit Patar – this will be a tribute taking us through his life and times partly narrated by him and partly through his songs.
Dr Surjit Patar is a renowned Punjabi poet. He obtained a Masters degree from Punjabi University, Patiala and then a Ph.D in Literature on “Transformation of Folklore in Guru Nanak Vani” from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. He then joined the academic profession and retired as professor of Punjabi from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. He started writing poetry in mid-sixties. Among his works of poetry are “Hawa Vich Likhe Hari” (words written in the air), “Birkh Arz Kare” (Thus Spake the Tree), “Hanere Vich Sulagdi Vammala” (Words smouldering in the dark), “Lafzaan Di Dargah” (Shrine of Words), “Patjhar Di Pazeb” (Anklet of Autumn) and Surzameen (Music Land).
After Shiv Kumar Batalvi and Bhai Mohan Singh, Dr. Surjit Patar has cast a charming effect on literary scene not only in Punjab but world wide Punjabi diospora. His songs has been sung by all legendry singers; jagjeet Singh, Manmohan Waris, Hans Raj Hans. He has been closely associated with TV and films. He has scripted tele-film Guru Gobind Singh on Doordarshan. He has also scripted serial Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He scripted and presented programme on Amrita Pritam, Dilip Kumar Tiwana and others.
In 1993 he was awarded Sahitya Akademi Award for Hanere vich Silghdi Vammala in 1999 Panchnad Puruskar by Bhartiya Bhasha Parishad at Kolkata in 2009 Saraswati Samman by K.K. Birla foundation for “Lafzan di Dargah” in 2010 Guru Nank Dev University conferred D.Litt. (Honoris Causa) on him in 2012 Padma Shri Award in the field of Literature and Education. Dr. Surjit Patar has made Ludhiana pround of his achivevement.
