Singh, Harbhajan, born on 18th August 1920 and died on 20th November 2002, was an eminent Punjabi poet, critic, scholar and translator. An M.A. (English and Hindi), Gyani and a Ph.D. (on A critical Study of Medieval Hindi Poetry Preserved in Gurmukhi Scripts), he has been at different stages of his life Senior Lecturer and Head of Hindi Department, Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Delhi (1951-67), Professor of Punjabi, Department of Modem Indian Languages, Delhi University (1968-84) and collaborator in the editing of the Akas (monthly) after retirement.
He is a recipient of Award from Sahitya Akademi (1969), Delhi Administration (1974), Punjab Government (1976), Soviet Land Nehru Award (1980) in recognition of his literary contributons. He is widely travelled in Europe, Canada, the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. He is primarily a front-rank poet in whose poetry there is simplicity and spontaneity, unsophistication and meaningfulness of folk-song. Its predominant features are a delicately human view of life and a pensive search for certitude and personal fulfilment. Tar lupka (1957) is a verse play written by him.
He has produced about twenty collections of his poems, such as Adh-raini (Mid-night, 1962); selections from the Rigveda into Rigbani, (1963); Sarak de safe ute (On the page of the road, 1970); Main jo bit gya (1970) is a selection of his own verse compiled by himself. Alafdupehar (Afternoon, 1972); Ik pardesan piari (A lovely foreigner, 1973). His Nah dhuppe nah chhaven (Neither under the sun, nor in shade, 1967) earned him Sahitya Akademi award for 1969. His latest collection which reflects his mature outlook and liquid lyricism has been entitled Alvida ton Pehlan (Before bidding goodbye, 1984).
He has also contributed enough to the domain of literary criticism, theory and practice through a number of books which include Mul te mulyankan (Value and evaluation, 1972), Sahitya shastra (Literary treatise, 1973), Sahitya siddhant (Principles of literature, 1974); Rupki (Form and structure, 1977); Sahitya Adhyan (Literary studies, 1981). Besides, he had translated some classics into Punjabi, e.g., Gorky\’s My Universities into Mere vishav-vidyale (1961), Aristotle\’s Poetics into Arastu da kavya-shastra (1964), Longinus\’ On the Sublime into Udat bare (1970). He has also edited some selections from the works of contemporary writers, viz. Katha-Punjab (1970) and Qissa-Punjab (1972).
References :
1. Amarjit Singh, Punjabi sahit da itihas ”Qissa kal, Amritsar, 1981.
2. Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature, 6 Vols., Delhi, 1995.
3. Kohli, S.S., Punjabi Sahit da Itihas, Ludhiana, 1955.
4. Mohan Singh, A History of Punjabi Literature, Amritsar, 1956.
5. Ramdev, Jaginder Singh (ed.), Punjabi Likhari Kosh, Jullundur, 1964.
6. Sekhon, S.S. and K.S. Duggal, A History of Punjabi Literature, Delhi, 1992.
7. Singh, N.K., Encyclopaedia of Indian Biography, Delhi, 2000.
Harbhajan Singh (1920–2002) is widely celebrated as a revolutionary voice in Punjabi literature—a poet, critic, cultural commentator, and translator whose work transformed Punjabi poetic aesthetics. His career spanned a prolific output of creative writing and scholarly research that redefined how poetry and literary history were approached in the region.
A Revolutionary Voice in Punjabi Poetry
Harbhajan Singh is credited with revolutionizing the Punjabi poetry style alongside contemporaries such as Amrita Pritam. His work emerged during a period when Punjabi literature was undergoing significant transformations, embracing both traditional motifs and the progressive spirit of modernity. His first collection, Lassan (1956), immediately positioned him as one of the major forces in the post-Progressive movement, where he displayed a knack for blending lyrical beauty with incisive social and cultural commentary .
Literary Contributions and Scholarly Pursuits
Throughout his lifetime, Harbhajan Singh published 17 collections of poems and penned 19 works on literary history. His creative scope extended beyond original poetry to include important translation projects—rendering works from classical literature such as those of Aristotle, Sophocles, Rabindranath Tagore, and even selections from the Rig Veda into Punjabi. This ambitious undertaking not only enriched Punjabi literary traditions but also bridged the gap between indigenous cultural expressions and global literary heritage .
As a critic and cultural commentator, Harbhajan Singh’s analytical works provided deep insights into the evolution of literary trends in Punjab and helped nurture future generations of writers and scholars. His dual role as both a creative artist and an academic has left an indelible mark on how Punjabi poetry is both written and appreciated today .
Enduring Impact and Legacy
Harbhajan Singh’s legacy is multifaceted. His pioneering use of language and form continues to inspire contemporary poets and literary critics. By challenging and expanding the boundaries of tradition, he helped pave the way for a modern Punjabi literature that is both reflective of its deep historical roots and open to progressive ideas. His translations, in particular, have made classical texts accessible to new audiences, cementing his status as a key figure in cross-cultural literary synthesis.
