A veteran political activist, Santokh Singh ‘Dheer’ is bold, outspoken, down-to-earth and yet essentially poetic. He was born in Bassi Pathana, Punjab in 1920. He is a whole-time and his prolific contribution to literature includes nine short story collections, four novels, eleven books of verse, two edited volumes of folk literature, a travelogue, a book of essays and translation of Kabir Vachanavali into Punjabi. Three of his works Sanjhi Diwar, Ik Sadharan Aadmi, and Mungo have been turned into tele-films.
He has been recipient of Punjab Arts Council Award, Soviet Land Nehru Award and Punjabi Academy London Award. His is the poetry of struggle. He yearns for change, a fair deal to the downtrodden and the suppressed, the backward and the have-not. At times he appears to be getting impatient and resorts to slogan-mongering. Nothing wrong with it if it is meaningful and lyrical. He is invariably hard-hitting. He has spent many a night in the police lock-up and quite a few winters behind bars in one Punjab jail or another.
Inevitably, he shares his experience with his readers. He is full of anger and yet it is no ordinary poetry: Here Nanak worked the grinding mill And Krishna saw the light of day You are too small a man, Dheer Don\’t you think the way you do. Again and again there are echoes of revolutionary urges in \’Dheer\’s\’ verse. He is not content with what his contemporaries say and how they say it. He is ready to launch a new style and tread untrodden paths.
His search for truth is that of a social conscious writer. He highlights the harsh realities of life. He shuns idealism, romanticism and sentimentality. He seeks truth, honesty and accuracy. He asks: “When foreigners visit India, what do we show them?” More important among his works are; Ag de Patte (Leaves of Fire) Dharti Afangdi Minh Ve (The Earth Asks for Rain) and Poh Phutala (Day-down). Pakhi, the award-winning collection of short stories presents heart-rending accounts of human lives caught in turbulent times.
Pakhi with its restrained handling of themes enmeshed in violence and gore, its deep concern for the future of humanity and its simple structure elegance, is an enriching addition to Indian fiction in Punjabi. His attack on anti-social elements is fierce and virulent. He seems to be killing the proverbial two birds with one stone. He is merciless with those who indulge in evils like black-marketing and yet pose to be God-fearing and religious.
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.
5. Singh, N.K., Encyclopaedia of Indian Biography, Delhi, 2000.
Santokh Singh Dheer remains one of Punjabi literature’s most fearless voices—a poet and writer whose work combined artistic brilliance with unapologetic political and social activism. His literature constantly challenged entrenched norms and gave expression to uncomfortable truths. Dheer’s writings, whether in the form of stirring narrative poems or hard-hitting short stories, demonstrate an unwavering commitment to addressing social inequities, making him a pioneering figure in what can be termed “poetic activism.” His bold, down-to-earth approach not only confronted societal injustices but also inspired readers to question and re-imagine traditional modes of thought and power structures .
Throughout his career, Dheer created a body of work that resonated with the everyday struggles of the Punjabi people. He employed vivid imagery, incisive language, and a keen sense of moral purpose to criticise political corruption, social oppression, and cultural decline. Collections such as his story anthologies and poetry volumes reflect a synthesis of lyrical beauty with a potent urgency for change. By merging the aesthetics of classical Punjabi art with the dynamism of modern social commentary, Dheer’s literature carved out a new, transformative space where art and activism coexisted. His works not only provided a mirror to society’s ills but also served as a rallying cry—a call for reform and the assertion of individual dignity against systemic injustice.
Dheer’s legacy endures as a testament to the idea that literature can be a powerful vehicle for social transformation. His fearless expression, marked by both poetic elegance and unyielding activism, continues to influence contemporary Punjabi writers who draw on his example to create works that are as socially significant as they are artistically innovative.
