Starting his career as lecturer in Punjabi at Doaba College, Jalandhar, Professor Pritam Singh shifted to Sikh National College, Lahore the next year where he served as a teacher in Punjabi until 1947. Joining the Punjab Education Service after Partition he rose to be Principal, Government College, Ludhiana and then Brijendra College,Faridkot but he continued his involvement in Punjabi teaching. He retired as Head of Guru Nanak Studies in Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar in 1980. He has several publications of prose of ideas and research to his credit.
More important among them are: Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha published by Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr. Mohan Singh, published by the Language Department, Patiala and Khushal Singh Khattak published by Punjabi University, Patiala. He has also translated Prem Chand and Rajinder Singh Bedi\’s short stories from Urdu into Punjabi together with a few works from Persion and Hindi. More important among the books edited by him are Paras Bhag, Nav Nidh, Shakarganj, and Shah Behram. He has also written for children. His books on Maharaja Ranjit Singh are a delightful piece of writing.
References :
1. Amarjit Singh, Punjabi sahit da itihas ”Qissa kal, Amritsar, 1981.
2. Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature, 6 Vols., Delhi, 1995.
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.
Pritam Singh: Legacy in Punjabi Literature & Education
Born on January 11, 1918, Prof. Pritam Singh emerged from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential scholars and educators in Punjabi literature. His lifelong commitment to the modern and scientific study of the Punjabi language was driven by his deep passion for learning and his unwavering integrity. Prof. Pritam Singh’s journey is a testament to the power of education, perseverance, and the transformative impact one individual can have on a culture and its literary traditions .
Educational and Professional Milestones
Prof. Pritam Singh began his teaching career in 1941 as the Head of the Punjabi Department at Doaba College, Jalandhar, and later at Kanya Mahavidyala in the same city. His academic pursuits and administrative acumen led him to serve as the Head of the Persian and Punjabi Departments at Sikh National College in Lahore before the Partition of Punjab. Post-Partition, he continued his stellar career at several prestigious institutions, including Punjab University in Simla and Mahendra College, Patiala, where he established himself as a dedicated academic and inspiring teacher. Notably, from 1972 to 1980, he was the founder-chairman and Head of the Centre for Guru Nanak Studies at Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar. Through these roles, he played a pivotal part in shaping the modern curriculum and research in Punjabi literature .
Scholarly Contributions and Literary Achievements
An erudite scholar, Prof. Pritam Singh obtained master’s degrees in English (1940), Persian (1941), and Oriental Learning (1941) from Panjab University, Lahore. His command over multiple languages enabled him to author over sixty books spanning Punjabi language, literature, Sikh history, and philosophy. His writings and translations significantly contributed to bridging cultural and linguistic divides, ensuring that classical and modern texts could be appreciated by a wider, multilingual audience. Beyond his published works, Prof. Pritam Singh was diligent in preserving literary heritage—a legacy that continues through his personal library and the donation of rare manuscripts and books to Bhai Gurdas Central Library at Guru Nanak Dev University, where many of these precious resources have been digitized .
Impact on Punjabi Education and Cultural Preservation
Prof. Pritam Singh’s contributions extend far beyond his scholarly writings; his work as an educator has left a lasting imprint on Punjabi academic and cultural life. Renowned for his clarity of thought and straightforward approach, he earned numerous awards and honors during his career. These accolades include the President of India’s Certificate of Honour for excellence in Persian, the Punjab Sahit Shiromani Award, and recognition as the ‘Best Teacher of the State’ through the Doordarshan Panj Pani Sanman, among many others. His distinguished career also saw international recognition with honorary professorships, such as at San Jose State University, reflecting his status as a global ambassador for Punjabi literature and culture.
By nurturing a vibrant academic environment and by meticulously preserving rare manuscripts and literary treasures, Prof. Pritam Singh ensured that future generations could continue to build on the foundations of Punjabi literary scholarship. His emphasis on integrity, intellectual rigor, and the importance of cultural heritage remains an enduring inspiration for educators, scholars, and students alike .