Giani Gurdit Singh 1923-2007
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Multifaceted Giani Gurdit Singh, his life and work
Way back in the 1960s, when late Balraj Sahni, a famed film actor, came to Punjab from Bollywood, renowned Punjabi novelist Jaswant Singh Kanwal and poet Prof Mohan Singh handed over to him a Punjabi book, which became a cherished gift for him.
After reading the book, Sahni invited the author of the book to stay with him in Mumbai. While inviting the author Sahni wrote, “This book will transform Punjab. You have done wonders! It has satiated me.”
The writer to receive invitation was Giani Gurdit Singh. And the book was Mera Pind, a recognised classic work in Punjabi literature. Published in 1961, it has been in continous print since.
Giani Gurdit Singh not only shined as the writer of the iconic Mera Pind, his research work on Guru Granth Sahib, other Sikh religious scriptures and religious literature was recognised worldwide by the Sikh community. While honouring him in 1991, the SGPC had given him honorific of Gurmat Acharya.
Look Inside
A collection of articles that reflects on varied contribution and aspects of the life and works of the famous Punjabi author, political figure and religious scholar, Giani Gurdit Singh
Celebrating the Book
Giani Gurdit Singh as seen through different eyes. The 230-page book has articles by 40+ scholars, largely in Punjabi. The four sections cover his personality, the literature that he produced, his religious scholarship and memories called Sakshiat, Sahit, Dharam and Yaadan.
The English section has 54-pages. It has been edited by Giani ji’s wife Mrs Inderjit Kaur, former Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala and former Chairperson, Staff Selection Commission New Delhi, and their son, journalist-author Roopinder Singh. The cover and illustrations in the book are by the artist R M Singh and it has many photographs that trace Gianiji’s journey in life.
Scholars and people who knew Giani Gurdit Singh have contributed to the volume from all over the world and prominent writers include Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, prominent academicians like Prof Pritam Singh, Prof Haribhajan Singh and Prof Gurinder Singh Mann., Dr Karnail Singh Thind, Dr Nahar Singh and Dr Bhupinder Singh Khera.
Messages by Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor of Tamil Nadu; Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab; Dr Jaspal Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, and Dr Jai Rup Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar have been printed in the volume.
Journalists, including Mohinder Singh, A. J. Philip and Nirupama Dutt and prominent people from the Punjab diaspora, including Bhai Harbans Lal, Dr I. J. Singh and Rajwant Singh have also contributed articles on Giani Gurdit Singh and his work.
Readers' Comments
Reader's Comments
I am sure there are several aspects of the intellectual activities of Gianiji, but I am more acquainted with two: his endless, incessant search for the manuscripts of the Guru Granth, and his incisive and inspiring descriptions and interpretations of the village life of the Punjab.
Prof HARJEET SINGH GILL, Emeritus Professor, JNU, Delhi
Giani Gurdit Singh enriched Punjab and the Punjabi language all his life. His "Mera Pind" is a classic which unfolds the life of rural Punjab with precision, sympathy and tremendous earthly wit. Gianiji also wrote many books on Sikh religion and was the most prominent religious scholar of his time.
PARKASH SINGH BADAL, Chief Minister of Punjab
Giani ji was an institution unto himself. He was a class apart as a human being, deeply grounded in utmost humility, despite being a vast ocean of knowledge of religious scriptures, literature, and Punjabi folklore.
Prof B.N. GOSWAMY, Emeritus Professor, Panjab University, Chandigarh
Giani Gurdit Singh was a treasure house of knowledge on Gurbani and whenever I had some difficulty in understanding the meaning of complex Shabads in Gurbani, I used to consult him even on telephone and his explanations were always precise and satisfying.
SURJIT SINGH BARNALA, Governor of Tamil Nadu
