Bhai Gurdas Library to house legacy of reformist Nanak Singh

AMRITSAR: The legacy of Nanak Singh, a reformist and one of the most prolific writers who gave the Indian and Punjabi literatures some of the most valuable gems, will soon be preserved by Guru Nanak Dev University as a museum will be created in his memory.

The translated copy of Nanak Singh’s Chitta Lahu in Russian. Tribune photo

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 5

The legacy of Nanak Singh, a reformist and one of the most prolific writers who gave the Indian and Punjabi literatures some of the most valuable gems, will soon be preserved by Guru Nanak Dev University as a museum will be created in his memory. The museum space will be created on the fourth floor of Bhai Gurdas Library and will have the original manuscripts of his novels, handwritten notes and letters of literary significance and some of his personal belongings.

The family of Nanak Singh will help in planning and curation of the museum space as the university will constitute a team of experts. “The decision has been taken at the Syndicate meeting,” said Prof Amit Kauts, in charge, Bhai Gurdas Library.

The museum space will have personal readings, creations over 35 first editions, manuscripts of some of his prominent works, including Chitta Lahu and Prem Sangeet. “Chitta Lahu was originally written in Punjabi and later the National book Trust published it in several Indian regional languages, including Malayalam, Kannada and Gujarati. Also, a Russian translation of the novel was done by Natasha Tolstoy, granddaughter of Leo Tolstoy, in the 70s and she had sent the copy to us,” said Kulbir Singh Suri, youngest son of Nanak Singh and a prolific writer himself.

Besides, several books, over 38 novels, six translated novels, eight short story compilations and four plays will be kept at the museum. Two of his biographies, ‘Meri Duniya Meri Jeevan Pitari Chun’ and ‘Chardi Kala’, a book of essays that are among his prominent works will also be kept. “His prominent works, including Khooni Vaisakhi, Zakhmi Dil, and many others are significant literature and important aspect of history for the young generation. The purpose of museum space is to create awareness regarding his works and his stature in Indian literary space,” says Suri. Digital archives of the manuscripts and first editions of his books will also be made. Items of his personal belonging, including his writing table, overcoat and some of his clothes, will too be given by his family members. Letters written by him to Ghadar Party members and personal handwritten notes will also be made to display in a temperature-controlled environment at the library.