‘The land of Amritsar is fertile for literature, theatre and art’

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, january 8

An eminent novelist and critic, Joginder Singh Kairon, feels that the city has been keeping its legacy alive with regular literary, theatre and art activities. Kairon has authored 36 books, including five novels, six criticism, four biographies and several others, on the folklore. He started his career as a teacher in 1962 and is still working on research projects.

You were recognised as novelist first, but turned critic later. Why?

Initially, I started writing stories. The themes of my stories were philosophical, which were hard to understand for a layman. To elaborate the idea in a simple language, I started writing novels. My novel “Naad-Bind” gave recognition to my name in the literary world. It was part of university syllabus for several years. As far as criticism is concerned, I started reading “linguistics structuralism” during 80s. It was quite new in Punjab. Readers appreciated my work when I wrote about the contemporary literature after gaining a deep understanding of criticism. Thereafter, I was reckoned as a critic.

How do you rate the present Punjabi criticism?

Modes of linguistic have been changing. The lecture of philosopher Jacques Derrida in Copenhagen University had changed the mode of criticism all around the world. He established that there was a centre of every creation. If critic explained the narrative on same centre he would be wrong. For right criticism, critics had to choose the verge.

What made you come close to the folklore?

I had enrolled in Phd in Guru Nanak Dev University in 1979. I wanted to work on the folklore. So, I submitted the thesis on folk stories of Punjab. I am still associated with this work. Now, I am compiling all the folk and fairy tales of Punjab in three separate books for Punjabi University. My book on tales about Shere Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh got an overwhelming response from readers.

What are your experiences as an academician?

I have worked as teacher for more than 18 years. But, I feel that writing ideology of world famous philosophers in a simple language for students is my major contribution to literature. I have written two separate books in which ideas of philosophers — Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and many more — have been explained in a simple language. Students appreciate my work as they find the philosophy subject quite tough.

Are you satisfied with present status of literature in the city?

Amritsar is a holy city, where Sikh Guru compiled Guru Granth Sahib. It has a legacy of literature. Besides, it was the centre of literary activities during the medieval period and the Sikh rule. During modern period eminent writers — Bhai Veer Singh, Prof Sahib Singh, Nanak Singh, Gurbaksh Singh Preetlarhi and Bheesam Sahani — contributed a lot to the Punjabi literature. The next generation — Dhani Ram Chatrik, Kulbir Singh Kang, Principal Sujan Singh, SS Anmol, Gurcharan Singh Talib and Parminderjit — were established and celebrated writers. The land of Amritsar is fertile for literature, theatre and art. There are several writers and art activists, including Jatinder Brar, Jagdish Sachdeva, Kewal Dhaliwal, Kamal, Daveser, Atinder Sandhu and Dr Daljit Singh, who have been doing well. Several literary magazines are being published from the city. The young generation, studying in universities also shows interest in literary activities. I am quite satisfied with the present status of literature in the city.

What are your future plans?

I have been compiling folk stories and tales for Punjabi University. I have written on core ideas of around 125 ideologies of the world in a simple language in a book to be released shortly. The introductory notes on ideologies will be helpful for students. A biography of Teja Singh Sutantar is also in the pipeline.