The year brimmed with vibrant energy

Gurvinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 29

The year was jam-packed with events and celebrity visits, which kept the cultural, literary and art meter of the city ticking. From the visit of Bollywood and cricket stars to honours received by city litterateurs, the city has reasons to remember the year.

Awards received 

Some litterateurs and personalities from the district bagged Language Department’s Shiromani awards for 2012, 2013 and 2014 which were given to them in March. Some of the awardees are Prof Niranjan Singh Tasneem, Prof Gurbhajan Gill and Prof Kartar Singh. Niranjan Singh Tasneem was felicitated with the Punjabi Sahit Rattan Award. Gill, former president of Punjabi Sahit Akademi, had won the Shiromani Punjabi Poet award. Prof Kartar Singh from the city was given Shiromani Ragi award. Amongst the Shiromani Punjabi Sangeetkar awardees was Surinder Shinda from the district.

Books launched 

Several books were launched during the year. ‘Mirgawali’, a     book comprising 100 poems, by Gurbhajan Singh Gill was released at the Guru Nanak Bhawan. City-based industrialist and photographer Ranjodh Singh released a coffee-table book titled ‘Sachkhand Harimandir Sahib’. The book in six languages comprised 180 photographs of Golden Temple. Several other books, including ‘Mera Yakeen Karin’ by Sehajpreet Mangat, ‘The World’s Most Powerful Man’ by 13-year-old Parth Arora, ‘An Audience with God at Mount Kailash’ by Davinder Bhasin, ‘Do Per Ghat Turna’ by Saroop Singh, ‘Shabdan Di Dhaal’ by Daljinder Rehal, English translations of poems by Punjabi poet Surjit Patar and ‘Jaswant Zafar’ by Gurshminder Singh Jagpal were released. Many other books were released by literary organisations at the Punjabi Bhawan.

Several literary and cultural events were organised at the Punjabi Bhawan. Former JNU students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar visited the city for a seminar. Literary organisation Adeeb International organised a ‘Mushaira’ which witnessed several Urdu poets in the city.

The Ludhiana Book Club held several book reviews and discussions this year.

Bollywood bytes

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan stayed in the city during the shooting of recently released film Dangal. The team had shot in some district villages, including Kila Raipur, Gujjarwal, etc. Villagers of Gujjarwal remembered Aamir Khan for flying kites with village youths. 

Bollywood heartthrob Salman Khan and Anushka Sharma visited the city for the shooting of film ‘Sultan’ in May. Shooting was done in Narangwal and Kila Raipur villages.

Actor Soha Ali Khan who shot for the movie ‘31 October’ in Ghungrana village two years ago, visited the city again for the promotion of the film.

Actor Pankaj Kapoor visited the city to attend alumni meet at Kundan Vidya Mandir.

Punjabi stars visited

Star cast of many Punjabi films visited the city for the promotion of their films. Some of the films promoted were Aatishbaazi Ishq, Lakeeran, Dulla Bhatti, Bathinda Express, Saadey CM Saab, Killer Punjabi, Love Shagun, Vaisakhi List, Nikka Zaildar, etc. Singers hailing from the district, including Prabh Gill, Honey Deep, Jassi Gill, kept adding to the music and films, whereas Diljit Dosanjh from the city made his Bollywood debut with Udta Punjab.

Virat comes calling

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli visited the city to a rousing welcome by fans at a mall. He came for the promotion of a brand. Hundreds of youths gathered to catch a glimpse of the cricketer.

Former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev visited Sat Paul Mittal School in the city and gave an inspiring speech to students.

Cultural front

Prof Mohan Singh Mela saw cultural events and activities. Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman,  a litterateur, translator and agricultural scientist was honoured with Dr Mohinder Singh Randhawa Puruskar. RM Singh, an eminent artist, was honoured with Sobha Singh Memorial Puruskar, Sahib Thind, an NRI, was honoured with Mahan Parvasi Puruskar, Palwinder Singh Cheema, an Arjuna awardee, was honoured with Zaildar Kartar Singh Jassowal Puruskar.

Art exhibition

Many art exhibitions were organised at Artmosphere Gallery and MS Randhawa Art Gallery at the Punjabi Bhawan. Rapture and Benediction were two of the exhibitions at the Punjabi Bhawan. 

Stage remained spirited 

Guru Nanak Bhawan saw theatre performance on ‘Gauhar’ by Ludhiana Sanskritik Samagam (LSS), and other plays such as Saka Sarhind, Wo Lahore. LSS also completed 100 programmes this year.

Classical sublimity

During the events organised by SPICMACAY, prominent classical artistes such as violinist Ustad Johar Ali Khan and flute player Rajendra Prasanna performed at educational institutes.