Scholars recall Batalvi’s contribution to Punjabi literature

SD Sharma

Chandigarh, May 8

The Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi, in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs, UT, organised a national seminar on contribution of legendary poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi towards Punjabi literature in commemoration of his 43rd death anniversary at the UT Guest House here today.

The seminar was held under the chairmanship of Dr Gulzar Sandhu. Four academician critics deliberated on the subject expressing their views on the contemporary relevance of the immortal literary works of the legend.

In his keynote address, Prof Harbhajan Singh Bhatia, former director, Academics, Dean and Head, Punjabi Department, GNDU, Amritsar, gave an analysis of the content, the technique of Batalvi’s verses sculpted with emotional and lyrical rapture. His competence to write geet, ghazal, free verses and nazams with equal ease emanating ambitions, sorrows, agony of the middle-class society besides the love in all its manifestations placed him ahead of times in Punjabi literature.

Speaking on the incredible works and popularity of Shiv Batalvi, Dr Yograj Singh from the PU, Chandigarh, called him the exponent of people suppressed socially, psychologically and economically by affluent. Like Waris Shah, his lyrical gems had folkloric base as their similes and metaphors touch one’s soul and sensibility.

Eminent Punjabi litterateur Dr Sukhdev Singh Sirsa maintained that Shiv had been widely read, appreciated and admired but not understood and subjected to study. Shiv reflected the ethos of a common sufferer. Politicians must look towards poets who, in their endeavour to envision an ideal society, really feel and give voice to the happiness and anguish of community in their verses. Deliberating on Shiv’s magnum opus Loona, Dr Sirsa said it was a curse to be beautiful when one was poor, citing the ideology and attitude of King Salwan.

Dr Surjit Singh from Punjabi University, Patiala, rued the lack of good, inspiring critical appreciation of the works of Shiv Batalvi, the most popular Punjabi poet. Shiv took notice of the socio-political issues dominating the cultural scene and individual morality. He realised the plight of suppressed femininity and voiced the agony in his verses by adopting a female persona.

Akademi vice-chairman Madhav Kaushik summed up the seminar conducted by secretary Dr Jaspal Singh.