Lecture on Balraj Sahni held

The Department of English, Punjabi University, organised the Second Annual Balraj Sahni Memorial Lecture today. It was dedicated to the enduring legacy of writer, playwright, actor and activist Balraj Sahni whose life and works exhibit his lifelong commitment to the cause of social justice, rural life and the plight of the marginalised.

The keynote speaker was author, translator and literary historian Dr Rakhshanda Jalil. Dr Monica Sabharwal, coordinator of the event, welcomed the guests and briefly threw light on the life and works of Balraj Sahni.

Dr Jyoti Puri, Head and Convener, introduced the guest speaker and elaborated on the significance of the lecture titled “Liking Progress, Loving Change: A Brief Look at the Progressive Writers’ Movement”.

Dr Jalil deliberated on the changing definitions of the word ‘progressive’ over the years. She also traced the historical legacy of the Progressive Writers’ Association, Progressive Writers’ Movement and the Indian People’s Theatre Association, delineating their complex trajectory and evolving social configurations, and subsequent decline.