Jaswant Singh Kanwal

Jaswant Singh Kanwal (27 June 1919 – 1 February 2020) was a Punjabi novelist, short story writer and essayist of the Punjabi language. He was born in the village of Dhudike, Moga District, Punjab, India.[1] As a young teenager he left school and went to Malaya. It was there that he first got interested in literature. He returned to Dhudike after a few years and has lived there ever since. He was awarded the Punjabi Sahit Shiromani Award[2] in the year 2007.

Jaswant Singh Kanwal in 2018

Writings

He published several books. His novels usually have a rustic feel and depict the rural life of Punjab very vividly. His writings generally question firmly held social customs and beliefs. He has left leanings and many of his most popular novels champion the cause of socially relevant issues like social and gender equality. He is also known to take tough political stands in his newspaper essays. Later on he became a supporter of the Khalistan movement.

His most notable novel is Lahoo Di Lo (Dawn of the Blood).[3] This novel is based on the Naxalite movement in Punjab. It was very controversial during the infamous Emergency days of the 1970s and none of the publishers was willing to publish it. Jaswant Singh Kanwal had it published in Singapore and smuggled copies of the novel to India. Only after the emergency was lifted, was the novel published in Punjab. This book has been translated into English.

Awards

Jaswant Singh Kanwal was awarded Sahitya Akademi Fellowship for his 1996 book Pakhi (Hand Fan) (Short stories). He received the Sahitya Academy award for Taushali Di Hanso (Novel)[4] in 1998.

Jaswant Singh Kanwal was conferred upon the degree of Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) by Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar in 2008[5] for his contribution to Punjabi literature.[6]

Bibliography
  • Punjabio Marna Hai Ke Jina (O Punjabi! Do you wish to die or live?)[7]
  • Khoon Ke Sohile Gavee-aih Nanak (Nanak! Sing Sonnets of Blood)(Two volumes) Novel
  • Mukati Maarag (Freedom Way) Novel
  • Lahu Di Lo (Dawn of the Blood)
  • Haani (Soul-mate)
  • Roop Dhaara (Layers of Beauty)
  • Manukhata (Humanity)
  • Morha (The Turn)
  • Civil Lines
  • Jera (Guts)
  • Jungle De Sher (Tigers of the Jungle)
  • Raat Baaki Hai (The Night is Unfinished)
  • Puranmaashi (Full Moon Night)
  • Mittar Piyaare Nu (To Friend Beloved)
  • Gora Mukh Sajna Da (Handsome is the face of friend)
  • Pali
  • Sach Nu Phansi (Death to the Truth)
  • Rooh Da Haan (Friendship with the Soul)
  • Dev Dass
  • Chikar De Kanwal (Lotuses of Mud)
  • Zindagi Door Nahin (Life is not Afar)
  • Kande (Thorns)
  • Sandhoor (Colour of Marriage)
  • Hal Muridan Da (Tale of a Disciple) (Political Diary)
  • Apna Quami Ghar (Our National Home Land)
  • Ainion Chon Utho Surma (From the Masses Will Rise the Valorous)
  • Jittnama (Tale of Victory)
  • Juhu Da Moti
  • Navan Sanias
  • Sundraan
  • Soormain
  • Barf Di Agg
  • Aradhna (worship)
  • Hawka Te Muskaan
  • Bhavana
  • Jeevan Kahanian (Stories of Life)
  • Sikh Jaddo Jehad (Sikh Struggle)
  • Ainian Chon Utho Soorma'
  • Maran mitran de age
  • Lamme Walan Di Peer
  • Jand Panjab da
  • Gwachi Pug (Lost honour)
  • Tarikh vekhdi hai (Time is a Witness)
  • Taushali di hanso
  • Ahesas
  • Roopmati
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References
  2. "Jaswant Kanwal chosen as Sahit Shiromani". UNP. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  3. Kanwal, Jaswant Singh (1978). Lahoo di lo.: Lahoo Di Lo (Dawn of the Blood). Delhi: Aarsi Pub. OL 13739833M.
  4. http://www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in/old_version/awa10316.htm#punjabi Archived 31 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Ludhiana Stories". www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  7. Walia, Varinder (3 September 2008). "Writers books himself for trouble". The Tribune. Retrieved 3 September 2008.
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