‘Rooh Di Gyani’, a journey to ghazals, poems

Gurvinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 8

Book of ghazals ‘Rooh di Gaani’ by Surinder Sidak was released at Punjabi Bhawan on Sunday. It was released by noted poets including Surjit Patar, Gurbhajan Gill, Tarlochan Lochi etc.

Sidak said her journey to poetry and ghazals had roots in reciting poetry since her college days. “My grandfather used to write and he used to make me write somewhat. My mother also used to encourage me to write,” she said.

“In fact, my recital of poetry used to be special that I used to bring expression, and make it lively as well as moving,” she said.

“I had received training in theatre so I brought that drama in my poetry as well,” she says. She went on to participate in several youth festivals as well. “In fact people would not know my name, but know me for poetry recitation,” she says.

Then she started teaching and became Head of Department of Punjabi at a school in Ferozepur, before migrating to Australia. “Even though I used to value my culture, but it was only after moved abroad, that I was able to realize the importance of our soil, culture, our people,” she said.

“My feelings came out in the form of writing. I started writing couplets on social media. But senior poets started saying that my couplets were very close to ghazal form. So I started learning more and more about the technicalities of this form of literature and with the help, blessings of senior poets did I learn about ghazal,” she says.

The poetess says that we are blessed with so many beautiful things in life, and we take these for granted. So it is time we start being full of gratitude and count our blessings and value them, because even though we may not realise it, but culture, parents, friends, this land are immeasurably important, and everyone must learn to value them, she says.