Lucknow: Under the auspices of the Uttar Pradesh Punjabi Academy, a symposium titled “Surjit Patar: The Man and His Work” was successfully organized at the Academy’s office, 4th Floor, Indira Bhawan, Ashok Marg, Lucknow.
The event brought together several eminent Punjabi scholars, writers, and literary thinkers, including senior Punjabi writer and thinker S. Narendra Singh Monga, young Punjabi scholar Ravneet Kaur, noted Punjabi academician Sharanjeet Kaur, senior Punjabi poet S. Ajit Singh, former Special Secretary, Higher Education, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, and literary enthusiast Madhu Joshi, who delivered their views on the life and works of the late Padma Shri Surjit Patar.
In his address, S. Narendra Singh Monga, President of the Azad Lekhak Kavi Sabha, described Patar as someone with a tough exterior but a soft heart, like a coconut. He emphasized that Patar was not only a literary figure but also a beloved voice among the masses of Punjab. His poetry brought to light the deep wounds of Punjab’s soul with simplicity, patience, and humility as his defining traits. Despite global recognition, Patar remained grounded, possessing both the ability to emotionally engage listeners and a treasure trove of progressive thought. Monga cited Patar’s poignant lines from a poem written in anticipation of his death:
“Eventually, we must become compost after being flowers.
Who remembers that we once bloomed?
Some are seen, some are forgotten.
Some become domes, others—foundations.”
Ravneet Kaur, reflecting on Patar’s legacy, stated, “Bodies die, but personalities live on… They flow continuously as ideas, values, and culture.” She quoted one of Patar’s striking lines:
“I am not a minority… I am in contact with the majority of the world—
a majority that is silent, weary, and thirsty despite so many springs.”
Sharanjeet Kaur spoke about Surjit Patar as a modern Punjabi poet, President of the Punjab Arts Council, and Padma Shri awardee. She highlighted his lifelong dedication to poetic creation and noted his outstanding contributions in uplifting the status of Punjabi Ghazals. Among his well-known works are “Hawa Vich Likhe Harf”, “Birakh Arz Kare”, and “Hanere Vich Sulgdi Varnmala”.
S. Ajit Singh honored Patar’s literary devotion by reciting his own tribute in verse:
“Surjit lit the lamp of our mother tongue,
His words echoed with Sufi notes.
They pierced through silence,
Wrote dreams in slumber,
And healing lines for the wounded.”
Madhu Joshi described Patar’s personality as rich in depth and empathy, and his body of work as a seamless fusion of social awareness and aesthetic grace. She noted that Patar was the recipient of multiple prestigious honors, including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Saraswati Samman.
The event was graced by the presence of Academy Director Om Prakash Singh, Arvind Narayan Mishra, Meena Singh, Anju Singh, members of the Punjabi community, literary enthusiasts, and a large audience. The attendees lauded the event and expressed a desire for such programs to be held regularly.
In conclusion, Director Om Prakash Singh extended heartfelt gratitude to all the speakers and participants, presenting them with traditional mementos and shawls as a token of appreciation.
