Eminent Punjabi writer Ajmer Singh Aulakh passes away at his Mansa house

Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 15

Eminent Punjabi writer Ajmer Singh Aulakh passed away at his Mansa house on Thursday morning.

He was admitted to Fortis Hospital at Mohali a few weeks ago. As his condition did not improve, the family was advised to take him home. He was discharged from the hospital on June 10.

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Prof Aulakh’s mortal remains would be consigned to flames at Mansa at 10 am on Friday, said wife Manjit Aulakh.

Paid homage to eminent Punjabi writer Prof Ajmer Singh Aulakh ji who passed away, observed 2min silence in memory of the departed soul. pic.twitter.com/dNEZFzdz7C

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) June 15, 2017

Prof Aulakh started his academic career in 1965 as Punjabi lecturer at Nehru Memorial College, Mansa, and served there for about four decades.

He has authored several books in Punjabi. In 1970s, he became popular as a dramatist and his plays won appreciation not only in Punjab but also at the national level. His focus remained small and marginal farmers and the complexities of rural life, especially social paradoxes.

(Also read: From The Tribune archives, a conversation with Ajmer Singh Aulakh)

Known for his progressive views, Aulakh was arrested during Emergency and remained in the Bathinda central jail.

He grew up under the influence of Muhjara movement, a movement of tenant landless farmers seeking land ownership right in 1950s.

Prof Aulakh was friend of Naxal leader Hakam Singh Samson since school days. They studied together at a school in Bhikhi.

Aulakh started writing one-act plays in early 1970s but as a dramatist he became popular after his play ‘Arbad Narbad Dhanukara’ became popular at college youth festivals. That was his first major literary creation. Then ‘Bagane Bohr de Chhan’ became a big hit. After that there was no looking back. He picked up artists from college students. He motivated college girls to perform in his plays and some turned out to be outstanding performers.