World famous prominent Punjabi writer Gurdial Singh passes away

World famous prominent Punjabi writer, novelist and short story writer and Jnanpith awardee Gurdial Singh passed away at Bathinda, Punjab. He was 83.
He was one of the greatest writers of Punjabi Literature and had focused on the economically and socially marginalised people in rural Punjab in his short stories and novels.

About Gurdial Singh

• Born on 10 January 1933 in Bhaini Fateh (near Jaitu) in then British Punjab.
• He started his literary career in 1957 with a short-story, Bhaganwale. He rose to popularity with the publication of his novel ‘Marhi Da Deeva’ in 1964,
• Two of his novels have been made into films including Marhi Da Deeva (1989) and Anhe Ghore Da Daan (2011).
• His novels were translated in several Indian languages and also in English. He has written ten novels, including Anhoe (1966), Addh Chanani Raat (1972), Anhe Ghore Da Daan (1976) and Parsa (1991)
• He has written 12 collections of short stories, including Saggi Phull (1962), Kutta Te Aadmi (1971), Begana Pind (1985) and Kareer Di Dhingri (1991).
• Apart from novels and short stories he has also written two prose works, three plays and nine books for children.
• Awards and Honours: Padma Shri (1998), Jnanpith Award (2000), Sahitya Akademi Award (1975). In 2016, Sahitya Akademi had announced fellowship for him which is the highest honour of the Akademi.
• Note: He is the second Punjabi writer to receive the Jnanpith Award after Amrita Pritam.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2016