Majha House to nurture art aficionados

Divya Sharma

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 17

House number 489 in Basant Avenue is all set to emerge as the hub of literature lovers, artists and film makers. Majha House, popularly known as Billoo’s house, is all set to welcome the lovers of art and literature after getting a makeover.

The house was built by its owners after their son, Second Lieutenant SS Gill (Billoo), was martyred in the 1971 war. The land was given to his parents at a concessional rate in recognition of the supreme sacrifice made by their son.

Not only is the house reminiscent of the young Army officer, it also reflects the indomitable spirit of GS Gill, the father of Second Lieutenant SS Gill, who was given the Shaurya award for his exemplary courage as he chose to remain steadfast in duty as the Chief Aerodrome Officer at Rajasansi airport during the 1971 war despite losing his son.

The property has been inherited by his Delhi-based younger brother Kulminder Singh and his wife Preeti Gill and converted into its present form of Majha House.

“As a family, there is a lot of emotional attachment to the house. My in-laws always considered it a gift from their late son. Since we live in Delhi, we thought of converting it into a meaningful place. Therefore, the idea of Majha House was born,” said Preeti Gill, a literary agent.

A single-storey house with three bedrooms, it has a special memory wall with pictures of late Second Lieutenant, his parents, and other members of the family. An annexe converted into a hall with a sprawling lawn is all set to host names like noted journalist Hartosh Bal, Director, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Sanjoy Hazarika and consultant art advisor and curator Alka Pande, among others, on March 3-4 at a cultural and literary event being organized by its owners.

In future, the place is set to act as residency for visiting writers and artistes for a modest fee. “My husband and I wish to make this house a vibrant place for lovers of art and literature where discussions can take place, ideas exchanged and films screened. The goal is to make it a cultural centre,” Preeti Gill added.