CHITRAKAR, ISHWAR SINGH

Chitrakar, Ishwar Singh (1912 -1968), a noted painter and poet in Punjabi, was born in 1912 and died in 1968. His pen name, Chitrakar, indicates his penchant for painting and painting to him was as dear a medium of creativity as poetry was. Literary movements of his time did not fascinate him. He was lonely and forsaken but true to his innermost spirit of freedom and love. He is the author of two collections of essays entitled Kalam di Awaz (The Voice of the Pen) and Gal Bat (Conversation).

His prose is light and witty with a concealed irony. Some of the essays give an impression of being character-sketches and caricatures.

References :

1. Amarjit Singh, Punjabi sahit da itihas ”Qissa kal, Amritsar, 1981.
2. Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature, 6 Vols., Delhi, 1995.
3. Sekhon, S.S. and K.S. Duggal, A History of Punjabi Literature, Delhi, 1992.
4. Singh, N.K., Encyclopaedia of Indian Biography, Delhi, 2000.