Singh ‘Padam’, Piara was born in 1912. He has written on different subjects in a popular manner, Hindustani Kala (Indian Art), Hindustani Kavi (Indian Poets), Hindustani Kavita (Indian Poetry) provide simple information about the subjects indicated in the titles. Sola Kalan (Sixteen Arts) and Kalam de Dhani (Master of the Pen) similarly afford elementary information about Indian writers. In Panj Darya (Five Rivers), he offers a simple study of five major religions of the world.
References :
1. Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature, 6 Vols., Delhi, 1995.
2. Singh, N.K., Encyclopaedia of Indian Biography, Delhi, 2000.
PIARA SINGH PADAM
(Ghungrana, Ludhiana 1912- Patiala 2001)
Scholar, Linguist and Editor
Piara Singh Padam was a self-taught scholar of Panjabi language, literature and Sikh history. He commented on the classical sources of Panjabi literature and culture.
He supplied the base material to scholars and students and for this purpose he wrote two well-researched books Pañjābī Bolī dā Itihās (History of Punjabi Language) and Gurmukhī Lipī dā Itihās (History of the Gurmukhi Script), which are still the most quoted reference books on these subjects.
Based on handwritten manuscripts, Padam edited dozens of books on a variety of subjects in Punjabi and Hindi. He was an authority on classical literature and classical traditions of music, fine arts, sculpture, singing and dancing. His work particularly on Punjabi odes, ballads, legend, Sufi poetry in a particular and on ancient and medieval literature in general earned him fame far and wide.
Padam edited the Pañjābī Duniā, the research magazine of the Languages Department of East Pañjāb.
He worked as lecturer in Sikh Missionary College from 1943 for seven years and for the following 15 years he worked in the Punjab Languages Department. He joined Punjabi University in 1966 and remained there for 17 years. He had over 80 books to his credit.
Singh ‘Padam’, also known as Piara Singh Padam, is a celebrated figure whose writings have opened up the vibrant worlds of Indian art and poetry to a broad audience. Born in 1912, his works provide clear and accessible insights into diverse cultural subjects. He wrote popular treatises on topics such as Hindustani Kala (Indian Art), Hindustani Kavi (Indian Poets), and Hindustani Kavita (Indian Poetry), each designed to offer straightforward information about the rich artistic and literary traditions of India .
What makes Singh ‘Padam’ truly unique is his ability to synthesize complex cultural themes into reader-friendly texts. His collections like Sola Kalan (Sixteen Arts) and Kalam de Dhani (Master of the Pen) not only introduce elementary aspects of Indian aesthetics and literary craftsmanship but also celebrate the spirit of Indian creativity. Additionally, in works such as Panj Darya (Five Rivers), he extends his exploration to the study of world religions, tying in his insights on art and poetry with a broader philosophical inquiry. In doing so, Singh ‘Padam’ invites readers to appreciate Indian cultural heritage while providing a valuable gateway to understanding the intricate interplay of art, literature, and spirituality.
