Timeless saga of Waris Shah’s Heer comes alive at Khalsa College

A musical event titled — “Naale Rovdan Te Naale Gaavda” — was organised at Khalsa College. The event was held in collaboration with the Departments of Music and Punjabi and sponsored by Punjab Kala Parishad, Chandigarh, and the Language Department, Punjab.

Dr Mahal Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Khalsa University, Dr Arvinder Kaur Kahlon, acting principal of Khalsa College, Dr Atam Singh Randhawa, head, Punjabi Department, and Swarnjit Singh Savi, Director, Punjab Kala Parishad, Chandigarh, along with other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Addressing audience on the occasion, Dr Randhawa, explained that this grand festival was dedicated to Punjab’s literary and cultural renaissance, honouring Mahinder Singh Randhawa, late Dr Surjit Singh Patar and to mark the International Mother Language Day. He emphasised that Waris Shah, a celebrated poet of Punjabi literature, needs no special introduction. “His composition, Heer, is an inseparable part of Punjabi heritage and is ingrained in the linguistic and cultural consciousness of Punjabis. The tale of Waris Shah’s Heer is deeply ingrained in the Punjabi language as speech itself. It has been presented through Punjabi music in various styles over the time, yet its essence has never faded. On the contrary, it has continued to shine even more brilliantly,” said Dr Randhawa.

Swarnjeet Singh Savi, while expressing concern over the contemporary issues facing Punjab, shared his thoughts on the changing trends in Punjabi music. Presenting the verses of Waris Shah’s Heer and the poetry of Surjit Patar, Aman Sufi, a Punjabi singer, mesmerised the audience with her unique singing style.

Puran Chand Wadali, a legendary figure in Punjabi and Sufi music, enchanted the audience with his rendition of Waris Shah’s Heer.