Musical evening celebrates Punjabi poet Surjit Patar’s legacy
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 23
As the week drew to a close in the Capital, Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan provided a tranquil respite — a musical evening dedicated to celebrated Punjabi poet Dr Surjit Patar. The event, held on Friday, transformed the venue into a sanctuary of soulful melodies and poetic reverence, bringing together admirers of the late poet and lovers of Punjabi literature.
The evening was graced by Gursharan Kaur, wife of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and president of the sadan. The highlight of the evening was the performance by Dr Patar’s brother, S Upkar Singh, a well-known singer based in Canada. Accompanied by eminent artists Arshad Khan on the esraj and Amjad Khan on tabla, Singh’s renditions captivated the audience, blending poetry and music into a symphony that echoed the deep emotions of Dr Patar’s work.
Reflecting on the poet’s contributions, sadan director Mahindra Singh remarked, “Dr Surjit Patar was not just a leading poet, but a towering intellectual figure in Punjab. He was closely associated with the sadan as a council member and patron. We lost him rather early, but his incredible talent continues to inspire many. Despite his accolades, including the Padma Shri, Sahitya Akademi Award and Saraswati Award, he remained humble and deeply rooted in tradition.”
He also shared a touching memory, “One thing about Dr Patar was that he carried his eminence lightly. Despite his fame, he never harboured arrogance. When we had the honour of having him sing the “Jabhajeyat”, he didn’t take any artist fee. Instead, he simply asked us to pray for his good health. We were fortunate to find his brother, who, although settled in Canada, agreed to perform here in his memory.”
Singh further emphasised the poet’s commitment to promoting spirituality through literature, saying, “Dr Patar, along with BN Goswamy, the great art historian, would often discuss how we could bring Bhai Vir Singh’s spiritual teachings to the masses. In today’s world, where material progress has left many feeling unfulfilled, Dr Patar believed that the vacuum in life could not be filled with gold and diamonds, but with spirituality, which brings peace of mind. Bhai Vir Singh Ji’s poetry, like Dr Patar’s, dealt with spirituality and the idea that God can be seen in His creations.”
The evening was not just a tribute, but a reflection on the enduring legacy of Dr Patar, who passed away in May. His poetry continues to resonate, offering a sense of timelessness that transcends the boundaries of language and culture.
