Tiwana, Dalip Kaur is a foremost novelist and short-story writer of contemporary Punjabi literature. She has mostly written about the mind scape of the downtrodden women and her secondary position in society. Even if some of the women in her novels are educated and economically independent, they are unable to assert their identities as equal human being, nor do they demand equal status in the family and in the society, for the fear of what is at stake. She was born at village Rabbon in the Ludhiana district of Punjab in 1935.
She did her M.A. and Ph.D. in Punjabi literature from the Punjab University. At present she is working as Professor of Punjabi in the Punjabi Department of Punjabi University, Patiala. Recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award for her novel, Eho hamara jivan (This our life, 1969), in 1971, Tiwana wrote her first, novel, Agni prikhya (The ordeal of fire), which was followed by a chain of novels; Vat hamari (Our path, 1970), Teeli da nishan (Mark of nose-pin, 1971), Suraj te samundar (Sun and ocean, 1972), Doosri Sita (Second Sita, 1975), Sarkandeya de desh (The land of reeds), Dhup, chhan te rukh (Sun shade and trees, 1976), Lammi udari (A long flight), and her latest novel Peele patian di dastan (The tale of yellow leaves).
Apart from these novels, Tiwana has written an autobiography entitled Nange peran da safar (Travelling on bare feet). Tiwana has also published six short-story collections: Sadhana (Endeavour), Yatra (Pilgrimage), Kise di dhee (Someone\’s daughter), Ik kuri (A girl), Tera kamra mera kamra (Your room my room) and Malan (Gardener\’s wife). Her short-stories have been translated into English, Hindi and Urdu and published in various journals and included in anthologies.
The characters in Tiwana\’s novels and short-stories are the downtrodden and the innocent rural folk with suppressed desires and passions. Tragedy and irony mark the main elements of her fiction. Complex inner duality of the female psyche is the chief theme of Tiwana. Besides her achievement in fiction, Tiwana has written two books on literary criticism too.
References :
1. Keshav Malik, Indian Poetry Today, 2 Vols., Delhi, 1985.
2. Khushwant Singh, A History of the Sikhs, Vol. II., 1966.
3. Niranjan Singh, Jiwan Vikas (in Gurmukhi), Delhi, 1970.
4. Sekhon, S.S., A History of Punjabi Literature, Patiala, 1993.
Dalip Kaur Tiwana remains a towering figure in contemporary Punjabi literature—a writer whose narrative boldly captured the struggles, resilience, and inner lives of Punjabi women. Born on May 4, 1935, in Rabbon, Ludhiana district, Punjab, in a well-to-do land-owning family, she channeled her academic excellence into a literary career that would later transform her into a revered professor and dean at Punjabi University, Patiala. Her background and intellectual rigor provided her both the platform and the passion to explore themes that had long been sidelined in traditional narratives, especially those regarding the female experience in a rapidly modernizing society .
Her body of work—comprising novels, short stories, essays, and autobiographical writings—serves as a powerful testimony to the trials and tribulations of Punjabi women. In works like Eho Hamara Jeevna and Nange Pairan Da Safar, Tiwana not only portrays the emotional and social hardships imposed by rigid patriarchal traditions but also celebrates the strength, resourcefulness, and evolving identity of women confronting these challenges every day. Through evocative imagery and deeply personal storytelling, she brought to life the internal dilemmas, societal restrictions, and persistent struggles for autonomy that many Punjabi women have experienced .
What truly sets Dalip Kaur Tiwana apart is her fearless commitment to using literature as a vehicle for social commentary. Her writings question traditional gender roles and expose the cultural barriers that have long marginalized women’s voices. This critical perspective resonated with readers who saw in her pages not just stories, but reflections of their own lived realities and an invitation to imagine a more equitable society. Her literary journey became intertwined with the larger struggle for women’s rights—marking her as a critical voice in both literary and feminist discourses in Punjab .
Her influence extended beyond the printed page. Recognized both regionally and nationally, her works have been widely translated and have inspired countless readers and fellow writers. An example of her uncompromising stance is seen in her decision in 2015 to renounce the Padma Shri award, a symbolic act protesting against increasing societal intolerance. This decision underscored her unwavering commitment to the ideals of justice, freedom, and integrity—values that are vividly reflected in her literary oeuvre and in the continuing evolution of feminist thought in Punjabi literature .
Dalip Kaur Tiwana’s legacy, therefore, is multifaceted. She not only chronicled the personal narratives of struggle and subversion but also laid down a marker for future generations of writers who aspire to give voice to the experiences of marginalized communities. Her works continue to spark conversations about identity, freedom, and social transformation, proving that literature can be a profound tool for awakening consciousness and driving societal change.
