|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Punjabi poetry has seen a glut during the last decade. Poets of every hue have mushroomed. However, only a handful have dared to defy the prevailing trends and opted for experimentation. Bhagat ram Sharma is one such poet. One of the lesser known faces in in the contemporay poetic circles , but blessed with a fiercely independent streak and a rare sensitivity, he makes poetry poetic without indulgingin hyperbole or excessive imagery. Amber Da Parchhavan is a collection of 26 poems, mostly in free verse. The inanities and incongruities of human relations and events occupy prime place in these poems. Raatan, Udhas Geet, Kala Haadsa, Wapsi, Ajanbi, Nikki Aastha are extremely powerful both in thematic content and treatment. Rishtian da Kukunas is an epic effort that deals with the exploitation of women through the intricacies of human relations. Says Parminderjit, himself an icon in contemporary Punjabi poetry,"Sharma’s poetry penetrates our souls and leaves us stunned. He does this without resorting to any overt display of raw emotions."
Do Kadam Aggey Penning mini short stories
is the latest literary fad that has caught many a hopeful in Punjabi
literature. This literary form requires sensitivity and wit in equal
measure, otherwise the whole effort falls flat. Makhan Singh Chauhan is
a veteran in this field. A regular contributor to the literary pages of
almost all the Punjabi dailies , he has come out with his first
collection which carries 104 mini stories. Zindgi Da Sach Manmohan Singh Daon is a prolific writer who has successfully dabbled in a variety of literary forms, His repertoire include more than a dozen books. Basically a poet at heart, his prose naturally has a poetic flourish. This quality makes his writings much more palatable than that of many of his contemporaries and also adds a rare sensitivity to his skill. Zindgi Da Sach is a a collection of 25 essays, mostly biographical in nature. Some of these, such as Zindgi Da Geet — Birakh, Qudrat Te Savera, Sirjana Te Ujiara exude pure poetry whereas some others are more mundane. On the whole, a welcome effort. |
Amber Da Parchhavan
This subtlety
makes Sharma stand apart from the crowd. Amber Da Parchhawan
deserves praise, not only for its thematic richness but also for the
austerity and judicious use of words and expressions.
This endeavour is
praiseworthy, but the distressing aspect of the collection is that the
good and the banal exist side by side. This makes the whole effort
somewhat insipid.