Singh Chatrath, Balwant (d. 1959), was an eminent short story writer, who died in 1959. He has profusely used this form of literature and has written as many as five (Dasmesh Kahanian, RanJit Kahanian, Pushp Patari, Sardarni, Navi Lih) collections of short stories. He has been propagating certain reforms in social as well as religious fields. All the stories in his collection Navi Lih deal with many social problems.
To achieve his goal of eradicating evils as have crept into out society, he has tried to reinterpret with a clear motive, some of the life-incidents connected with Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Guru Gobind Singh in Ranjit Kahanian and Dasmesh Kahanian respectively. From the view point of technique, his stories are not of a very high standard; they are not properly constructed and their plots remain loose. The stories in Ranjit Kahanian give an impression more of history than of literature.
References :
1. Amarjit Singh, Punjabi sahit da itihas ”Qissa kal, Amritsar, 1981.
2. Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature, 6 Vols., Delhi, 1995.
3. Ramdev, Jaginder Singh (ed.), Punjabi Likhari Kosh, Jullundur, 1964.
4. Sekhon, S.S. and K.S. Duggal, A History of Punjabi Literature, Delhi, 1992.
Singh Chatrath, also known by his full name Balwant Singh Chatrath (d. 1959), carved a niche for himself in Punjabi literature through his prolific short story collections. His work—spread across five major collections such as Dasmesh Kahanian, Ranjit Kahanian, Pushp Patari, Sardarni, and Navi Lih—not only showcased his narrative style but also served as a vehicle for propagating social and religious reforms in a rapidly changing society .
Propagation of Social Reforms
At the heart of Singh Chatrath’s short stories lies a committed attempt to reform societal ills. In collections like Navi Lih, he directly tackles a range of social problems prevalent in his time. By reinterpreting life-incidents connected with historical figures such as Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Guru Gobind Singh in Ranjit Kahanian and Dasmesh Kahanian respectively, Chatrath sought to challenge the traditional narratives. This reinterpretation was designed to illuminate and critique the social evils that had entrenched themselves within the community, advocating for a more progressive, equitable outlook that questioned established hierarchies and practices.
Technique and Narrative Style
While Singh Chatrath’s reformist zeal is widely appreciated, critics have noted that, from a technical perspective, his stories often lack formal structure—the plots can be loose and the construction may not always follow conventional narrative frameworks. Despite these stylistic shortcomings, the intent and purpose behind his stories remain clear. His reimagined historical narratives provided a unique blend of history and fiction, serving both as a reminder of the past and as a call to action for social change.
Enduring Impact
The significance of Singh Chatrath’s work lies in its legacy as much as in its literary merit. His commitment to addressing social issues through literature paved the way for future writers to explore similar themes within Punjabi literature. His stories continue to be referenced for their courageous attempt to reframe historical and social debates, urging readers to reflect on the need for continual social reform and reinterpretation of tradition in light of modern values.
