State-level Surjit Patar Art Fest kicks off

The three-day state-level Surjit Patar Art Festival was inaugurated at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, on Monday. The event is being organised by the university in collaboration with the Punjab Kala Parishad to celebrate the literary legacy of the renowned poet.

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Presiding over the event, PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal described Surjit Patar as a towering figure in Punjabi literature whose writings had left a profound impact worldwide. He remarked, “Through his pen, Surjit Patar fulfilled the duty of a son of the soil.” Dr Gosal also shed light on Patar’s contributions during his association with the PAU and announced the establishment of the Surjit Patar Chair at the university in his honour.

The festival was inaugurated by Bhupinder Kaur Patar, who shared heartfelt memories of her late husband. She said Patar considered all of Punjab as his family and always wished for a bright future for the youth. With deep emotion, she recited selections from his poetry and reminisced about their shared journey.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Kala Parishad chairman Swaranjit Savi highlighted that the parishad had launched a ‘Punjab Nav Sirjana’ initiative, organising literary and cultural events across the state from Surjit Patar’s birth anniversary onwards. He stated that besides honouring established and emerging writers, efforts were being made to connect the younger generation with literature and art.

Dr Nirmal Jaura, director, Students’ Welfare, PAU, welcomed the gathering and announced that students from nearly 20 colleges from across Punjab were participating in various competitions, including poetry, speech, fine arts, and heritage crafts, as part of the festival.

Dr Rupinder Kaur, associate director (culture), PAU, shared details of the three-day event, which includes theatrical performances, folk music, traditional dances, and a seminar on ‘Jeeve Jawani’.

As part of the celebrations, renowned artist Sukhpreet Singh showcased an art exhibition depicting Punjab’s rural life. Following the inaugural session, Dr Jagdish Kaur was officially appointed to the Surjit Patar Chair at the PAU.

The festival also featured inter-college competitions judged by eminent writers and scholars, including Prof Kirpal Kazak, Dr Davinder Kaur Dhatt, artist Sukhpreet Singh, Trilochan Lochi, and Gurcharan Kaur Kochar.