Dr. Surjit Patar is that luminous star in the history of modern Punjabi literature who gave Punjabi poetry and the ghazal a public consciousness, philosophical depth, and a new aesthetic identity. His poetry is not merely a combination of words, but a resounding voice of the sorrows, agonies, hopes, and profound love for the mother tongue inherent in the Punjabi psyche. With his unmatched sensitivity, Dr. Patar earned global acclaim and honor for Punjabi literature.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Surjit Patar was born on January 14, 1945, in the village of Pattar Kalan in the Jalandhar district. He adopted his pen name, “Patar,” from the name of his native village. After completing his primary education at the village school, he pursued higher education at Randhir College, Kapurthala, and earned his Master’s degree in Punjabi from Punjabi University, Patiala. He obtained his Ph.D. from Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, after conducting research on the thesis “Transformation of Folklore in Guru Nanak Vani.” This academic background deeply rooted his thinking in the folklore and spiritual heritage of Punjab.
Teaching and Literary Responsibilities
Following the completion of his studies, he served as a professor of Punjabi at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, retiring from the position in 2004–2005. Alongside his academic career, he contributed significantly to the development of literature and art as the President of the Punjabi Sahit Akademi, Ludhiana, and the Chairman of the Punjab Arts Council, Chandigarh. Under his leadership, the ‘Punjab Kala Bhawan’ became more than just an office; it transformed into a vibrant center for discussions among writers, poets, artists, and intellectuals across Punjab.
Major Poetry Collections and Journey
Dr. Surjit Patar began writing in the late 1960s. His unique style of ghazal composition gave a fresh direction to Punjabi poetry. His major poetry collections include:
⚬ Hwa Vich Likhe Harf (1979): This debut collection showcased his distinctive ghazal style and established him as a recognized poet in the Punjabi literary world.
⚬ Birkha Arz Kare (1992): The poems in this book beautifully highlighted the dialogue between human emotions and nature.
⚬ Haneere Vich Sulagdi Varnmala (1992): A masterpiece collection reflecting the tragedy, agony, and social upheaval of Punjab.
⚬ Lafzan Di Dargah (2003): This work brought new horizons to the sanctity of words and literary responsibility.
⚬ Patjhar Di Panjeb and Sur-Zamin: These collections also stand as symbols of his profound philosophy and melodious expressions.
His celebrated poetic verses, such as:
If I say something, how will the darkness endure it? If I remain silent, what will the candle stands say?
and I do not walk on paths; when I walk, paths are made
continue to reside deeply in people’s hearts.
Style of Poetry
The defining hallmark of Dr. Patar’s poetry is the sweetness of his words and musical rhythm. When he sang his ghazals at kavi darbars, his melodic voice captivated listeners. His words carried an intimate resonance akin to the flute. He wove rural life, trees, birds, rivers, and seasonal colors into his poetry with such artistry that even simple words emerged as absolute truth. Rather than helplessness, his poetry always sought to find light amidst darkness.
Agony for the Mother Tongue
Dr. Surjit Patar was a true guardian of the Punjabi mother tongue. When the younger generation was drifting away from their native language, the words born from his pen resonated as the shared pain of all Punjabis:
“My language is dying word by word,
my language is dying sentence by sentence”
He continuously warned that if a nation loses its language, it loses its history, culture, and existence altogether. He provided intellectual leadership to movements advocating for the primacy of Punjabi in homes, schools, and administrative work.
Translation and Contribution to Cinema
Beyond poetry, he enriched the Punjabi language with world-class literature. He beautifully translated and adapted the Spanish playwright Federico García Lorca’s plays Blood Wedding as Agg De Kalire and Yerma as Siyo Ni Main, Ant-Heen Tarkalan. Additionally, he skillfully translated and adapted poems by Bertolt Brecht and plays by Jean Giraudoux into Punjabi. His pen also made vital contributions to Punjabi cinema, writing the dialogues for the film Shaheed Udham Singh. He also authored the Punjabi dialogues for Deepa Mehta’s international film Heaven on Earth (Videsh).
Social Responsibility and Voice of Conscience
Dr. Patar was not merely a poet of books; he was the living conscience of public struggles. In opposition to the rising intolerance in the country, he returned his Sahitya Akademi Award in 2015, and during the historic 2020–21 farmers’ agitation, he returned his prestigious Padma Shri award in solidarity with the farmers. This principled stand demonstrated that public welfare and morality mattered far more to him than any governmental honor.
Honors and Awards
Dr. Surjit Patar was decorated with prominent national and international awards for his literary services, including:
⚬ Punjab Sahitya Akademi Award (1979)
⚬ Sahitya Akademi Award for Haneere Vich Sulagdi Varnmala (1993)
⚬ Panjnand Award by Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad, Kolkata (1999)
⚬ Anad Kav Samman (2007–2008)
⚬ Saraswati Samman by the K.K. Birla Foundation (2009)
⚬ Gangadhar National Poetry Award by Sambalpur University, Odisha (2009)
⚬ Padma Shri by the Government of India for exceptional contributions to literature and education (2012)
⚬ Kusumagraj National Literature Award (2014)
Final Farewell and Immortal Footprints
On May 11, 2024, this legendary litterateur passed away due to a cardiac arrest in Ludhiana, leaving an irreparable void in Punjabi literature. The service Dr. Patar rendered to the Punjabi language through his sweet voice and soul-stirring poetry will remain a guiding beacon for generations to come, and his words will forever beat within the soul of Punjab.
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