From rags to ragas, biography details singer Hans’ life

Gagandeep Singh

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 8

A biography of renowned Punjabi Sufi singer and Padma Shri winner Hans Raj Hans, “Rags to Ragas & Beyond...”, was released here today.

The biography has been penned down by England-based radio jockey Preet Inder Dhillon.

Apart from Hans Raj Hans, famous Punjabi poet Dr Surjit Patar, Ustad Puran Shakoti, author Preet Inder Dhillon and film director Dr Harjit Singh were also present on the occasion.

Speaking to Jalandhar Tribune, Preet Inder Dhillon said, “The biography does not only contain the journey of Hans Raj Hans as a singer, but his short journey as a politician has also been taken into account.”

Addressing the gathering, she said, “The kind of facts documented in the book have never been revealed before. After reading this book, a reader’s admiration for the man of this stature will grow. People would get to know that Hans Raj Hans has always been a mystery man.”

She said during the research work, she also visited Pakistan. “I have spoken to famous Sufi singer Abida Parveen, who has a high regard for Hans and famous Ghazal maestro, Ghulam Ali ,” she added.

The author said the family life of the Sufi singer had also been taken into serious consideration while writing this biography. “I have been a huge fan of the singer since my childhood. It took a great deal of time and energy to write this book,” she added.

Prior to this, the Sufi singer thanked the author for coming up with the idea to write a book about him.

Ustad Puran Shahkoti congratulated the Sufi singer and his family on the occasion.