Of humble beginnings and inspiring endings

Manpriya Singh 

When a ‘once upon a time factory worker’ goes onto bag a national literary honour, it’s not just admirable. It’s heart-warming. Not to forget inspiring.  So when Barnala-born Punjabi novelist Nachhatar Singh bagged the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award last year for his novel Slowdown, it was one such rewarding moment. Not just for the writer but for all those who had read him. “I feel honoured not just for the award but when it translates into younger readers and translated works that further reach a wider audience,” shares the novelist, currently based in Delhi, and in Chandigarh on an invitation by Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi. 

With six novels and six collections of short stories to his credit, Nachhhatar’s latest novel dwells upon one of the most unfortunate realities affecting India, Punjab just as much. Cancer Train reflects on the plight of those affected by the dreaded disease in the cotton belt of Malwa region in Punjab. 

Wedding literature with issues 

As for the award winning Slowdown, it’s set in Delhi and brings to light the impact of recession on the lives of young and aspiring India, who suddenly find themselves either jobless or under employed.  Born in a Dalit of family of Barnala, Nachhatar’s personal life itself is rife with ups and lows that a fulfilling journey often entails. After Class tenth, he started as a factory worker and sponsored his higher education by working as a clerk in Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana. Well, he went onto become a bank manager currently settled in Delhi.  Having already touched upon cancer and recession in his previous works, among several other issues, he is next all set to highlight the unhealthy obsession with greener pastures among the young of Punjab. “Every youngster wants to flee abroad. They don’t mind doing odd jobs, paying double the course fee in other countries as long as it is ‘foreign’. Eventually what are they doing, they are just helping other nations build their economy.” 

Let celluloid do its bit

 Though he doesn’t want to divulge much, but Cancer Train, already translated into English might be the first of his works to be adapted into a reality-based film. While noted Punjabi playwright and theatre director Kewal Dhaliwal has approached him for a play based on the book. “In Cancer Train, I have also touched the gravest situation of drug addiction in Punjab.” 

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