Sethi, Surjit Singh (1928 – 1995) was born at Gujarkhan, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He did his M.A. in English and submitted his thesis on Ibsenism (Dramatics) for Ph.D. Primarily a playwright, he writes short stories and novels also. His first full-length play, Coffee house (1958), is a portrayal of \’hollow men\’. Kacha ghada (The earthen pitcher, 1960) and Kadaryar (1960) give new dimensions to the well-recognised figures of romances. King, Mirza te sapera (1965) and Mard mard nahin, tivin tivin nahin (Man is not a man and woman is not a woman) are his experiments in absurd drama.
His anthologies of one-act plays, Parde pichhon (Behind the curtain, 1946), and Chalde phirde but (The loitering figures) make a good reading. His early novels are 1k shahr di gal (The story of a city, 1955), Ret da pahad (Mound of sand, 1954) and Kandhi ute rukhda (A tree on the embankment, 1957), but he acquired his special place in this genre with 1k khali piala (An empty bowl, 1960) and Kal vi suraj nahin chadhega (The sun shall not rise tomorrow again, 1967). In these works he employs the stream of consciousness and flashback techniques. His other works include: Drama: Gurbin ghor andhar (Pitch dark without the Guru, 1969), Safar baqi, talash baqi (The journey remains, the quest remains), Nangi sadak, raat da ohia (The naked road and the reflection of the night, 1971), Mera murshid mod liao (Bring back my Messiah, 1975); Short stories: Angrez Angrez san (So were the English), Men kahani da afar (1972); Novel: Abra ki adabra (1972), Dubde suraj nun salam (1976); Criticism: Kavi Chatrik (Chatrik, the poet, 1955), Natak kala (1974); Biography: Langh gaye darya (1976).
References :
1. Amarjit Singh, Punjabi sahit da itihas ”Qissa kal, Amritsar, 1981.
2. Ramdev, Jaginder Singh (ed.), Punjabi Likhari Kosh, Jullundur, 1964.
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.
Surjit Singh Sethi stands tall as a luminary in Punjabi literature—a playwright, novelist, short story writer, lyricist, filmmaker, and theatre personality whose innovative works transformed the creative landscape of his time.
Early Life and Formative Influences
Born in 1928 at Gujarkhan in Punjab Province (now in Pakistan), Sethi pursued higher education in English, culminating in an M.A. and a Ph.D. thesis on Ibsenism (dramatics). This academic background allowed him to draw on both Western theatrical traditions and his indigenous cultural heritage. His early immersion in varied literary traditions set the stage for a career that would continuously challenge normative forms while celebrating the unique rhythms of Punjabi life .
Literary Career and Drama
Primarily renowned for his contributions to drama, Sethi’s career in playwriting was marked by a series of groundbreaking works. His first full-length play, Coffee House (1958), is recognized as a portrayal of “hollow men”—figures emblematic of existential dilemmas and societal disillusionment. Sethi’s subsequent works like Kacha Ghada (The Earthen Pitcher, 1960) and Kadaryar (1960) redefined classical romantic figures by infusing fresh, experimental dimensions into the narrative. His ventures into absurd drama, notably with plays such as King, Mirza Te Sapera (1965) and Mard Mard Nahin, Tiwin Tiwin Nahin, showcased his willingness to push the boundaries and experiment with form, challenging audiences to rethink traditional approaches to storytelling .
Novels and Short Stories
Sethi’s literary prowess was not confined to the stage. He made significant inroads as a novelist and short story writer as well. Early novels like Ret Da Pahad (Mound of Sand, 1954) and Ik Shahr Di Gal (The Story of a City, 1955) capture the evolving dynamics of urban existence. With later works such as Ik Khali Pyala (An Empty Bowl, 1960) and Kal vi suraj nahin chadhega (The Sun Shall Not Rise Tomorrow Again, 1967), he engaged sophisticated narrative techniques like the stream of consciousness and flashback to portray the complexities of modern life. These works remain significant for their bold experimentation and reflective insights into changing societal landscapes .
Contributions as an Educator and Mentor
Beyond his literary creations, Sethi played a pivotal role as an educator. He was instrumental in founding the Speech, Drama and Music Department at Punjabi University—a program that later evolved into the Theatre and Television Department. Through his academic and mentorship roles, he nurtured a generation of stage, television, and film artists, bridging the gap between Western dramatic trends and indigenous Punjabi traditions. His contributions in this arena helped establish a robust foundation for modern Punjabi theatrical studies and practice, ensuring that his legacy extended well beyond the printed page .
Lasting Legacy and Influence
Surjit Singh Sethi’s multifaceted contributions have left an indelible mark on Punjabi cultural history. His fearless experimentation with dramatic form, keen narrative insight in novels and short stories, and fervent dedication to education combined to create a body of work that continues to inspire and influence both literary scholars and creative practitioners. His legacy is a reminder of the power of innovative storytelling to capture and transform the societal imagination, encouraging generations to challenge conventional boundaries while embracing the zeitgeist of their times.