Punjabi works finally in PU translation course

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 3

Panjab University authorities, after a review of the syllabus of ‘Indian Writing in Translation’ in MA (English), have recommended a complete paper on literature from Punjab and another on Indian writers, which will include ‘Heer’.

On June 2, The Tribune highlighted how the syllabus did not include any work from Punjabi literature. Sources said following a brainstorming session, it was decided that along with other Indian authors, Sant Singh Sekhon’s English translation of Waris Shah’s ‘Heer’ should be taught.

The current syllabus includes English translation of eight works in Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya and Urdu, but none from Punjabi.

Akshay Kumar,  a Professor at English Department, said “it was just a brainstorming session. It is too early to say anything because it is a long process”.

Besides, it has been decided to introduce a paper, ‘Literature from Punjab’. Irrespective of the language, it will include English translations of those authors who belonged to Punjabi-speaking areas and wrote in various languages like Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi. Even some NRIs will be included. They also agreed upon celebrated Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. 

Sources said these recommendations would be placed before the Board of Studies and sent to the Faculty of Languages for approval. Finally, the decision will be taken by the university’s academic committee. The recommendations will be introduced from the next session only.