Jnanpith awardee, Punjabi writer Gurdial Singh dies at 83 : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

Jnanpith awardee, Punjabi writer Gurdial Singh dies at 83

JAITU/CHANDIGARH: Prominent Punjabi writer and Jnanpith awardee Gurdial Singh passed away at Jaitu on Tuesday. He was 83.

Jnanpith awardee, Punjabi writer Gurdial Singh dies at 83

Gurdial Singh. — File photo



Tribune News Service

Jaitu/Chandigarh, August 16

Prominent Punjabi writer and Jnanpith awardee Gurdial Singh passed away in Bathinda on Tuesday. He was 83.

He was under treatment in a private hospital in Bathinda for the last about 10 days.

A resident of Jaitu town of Faridkot, Gurdial Singh was the only living Punjabi writer to win Jnanpith Award.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The cremation will take place at Jaitu at 10 am on Wednesday.

Gurdial Singh is known for giving impressive messages in his story and novel writings with high simplicity. “A Spartan who has taken it all in his stride,” thus he was known in the literary world.

From a carpenter to a novelist of substance, Gurdial Singh had relied on the ingenuity of a craftsman to whom building blocks to create an organic whole come naturally, it is said.

Writer of many famous novels, Gurdial Singh got Sahitya Academy award for his novel ‘Marhi Da Diva’.

Before he wrote his first novel ‘Marhi Da Diva’, Gurdial Singh was known as a short story writer. His novels are narratives of the oppressed, without any didacticism of revolution.

His first book was ‘Gangsar da Shahid’, a historical writing. He wrote his first story ‘Bhaganwale’ in 1957 and it was published in ‘Panj Dariya’.

‘Marhi Da Diva’ and ‘Anhe Ghore Da Daan’, two novels of Gurdial Singh were made into films. His other noted novels are ‘Parsa’, ‘Dukhiya Daas Kabir Ha’, ‘Adh Chanini Raat’, ‘Anhoe’.

He wrote many short stories for children as well. He took up translation for the first time while he was still in F.A.  This translation work was Maxim Gorky’s autobiography.

His novels were translated in several Indian languages and also in English.

He taught at the regional centre of Punjabi University for some years.

Gurdial Singh was the recipient of various prestigious award and honours such as Padma Shri, Jnanpith Award, Sahitya Akademi Award, etc.

Earlier this year, Sahitya Akademi announced fellowship for him. The fellowship is the highest honour of the Akademi.

Top News

Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in UP's Banda orders judicial inquiry into death of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari

UP court orders judicial probe into Mukhtar Ansari’s death

The CJM has sought the probe report within a month

‘Heart attack or poisoning’: The life and times of Mukhtar Ansari—crime and politics

‘Heart attack or poisoning’: The life and times of Mukhtar Ansari—crime and politics

People loyal to gangster-turned-politician vouched for his '...

Alka Rai, widow BJP MLA killed by Mukhtar Ansari, says 'justice has been served', visits Ram Mandir

Alka Rai, widow BJP MLA killed by Mukhtar Ansari, says 'justice has been served', visits Ram Mandir

Alka Rai is the wife of MLA Krishanand Rai, who was shot dea...

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh IT notice of Rs 1,700 crore, say party insiders

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh I-T notice of Rs 1,800 crore

Ajay Maken addresses a press conference

Special court convicts 7 people in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case

Special court convicts 7 people in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case

The proceedings against Atiq Ahmad, his brother and prime ac...


Cities

View All