Tiwana, Manjeet, an eminent poet, was born in Patiala, Punjab. She did her M.A. in Psychology and English from the Punjab University in 1969 and 1973 respectively, and Ph.D. in Psychology in 1984. She also did Diploma in Indian Theatre (Acting and Direction) in 1975. She is currently Head of the Department of Psychology in Government College for Women, Chandigarh. Tiwana\’s first poem was published in Nagmani when she was only sixteen.
The significant poetical works to her credit are: Ilham (1976), Ilzam (1980), Tarian di joon (1982), Unida vartman (1987), Savitri (1989). While Savitri is a long epic poem, Unida vartman is a Collection of her new poems. This collection was given Sahitya Akademi Award in Punjabi for 1990. Twenty-four poems collected in this book are remarkable for their intensity of feeling and thought, and felicity of expression. Using rich and evocative symbols, she converts the apparently commonplace to a unique experience.
For its powerful use of language, intensity of imagination and sensitive probing of subtle feelings, this collection is a remarkable contribution to Punjabi poetry. Tiwana\’s poems are pure psychic automations which express the way human being really think and feel. The poems bypass reason. In fact her poems do not know any reason and express only feeling. They associate objects and men wide apart in space, time or both.
References :
1. Khushwant Singh, A History of the Sikhs, Vol. II., 1966.
2. Niranjan Singh, Jiwan Vikas (in Gurmukhi), Delhi, 1970.
3. Ramdev, Jaginder Singh (ed.), Punjabi Likhari Kosh, Jullundur, 1964.
4. Sekhon, S.S., A History of Punjabi Literature, Patiala, 1993.
Manjeet Tiwana is an eminent voice in contemporary Punjabi literature whose award-winning poetry has challenged traditional boundaries and captured the evolving essence of modern life. Born in Patiala, Punjab, she embarked on her literary journey at a very young age—her first poem appeared in Nagmani when she was just sixteen. With a rich academic background that includes an M.A. in Psychology and English, as well as a Ph.D. in Psychology, Tiwana’s work is deeply infused with nuanced insights into the human psyche and the intricacies of emotional expression. Her poetic oeuvre comprises significant works such as Ilham (1976), Ilzam (1980), Tarian di joon (1982), Unida Vartman (1987), and Savitri (1989), each reflecting a unique blend of intellectual depth and heartfelt passion .
Her collection Unida Vartman—a compilation of twenty-four intensely evocative poems—garnered the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in Punjabi for 1990. This recognition is a testament to the originality and emotive power of her verse. Tiwana’s poetry is celebrated for its rich symbolism, its ability to bypass conventional rationality in favor of raw, often subconscious feeling, and its innovative use of language that transforms everyday experiences into profound insights about life, love, and identity .
Tiwana’s work not only marks a milestone in award-winning Punjabi poetry but also contributes to a broader dialogue in modern literature. Her fearless, sometimes rebellious poetic style has redefined how themes like personal identity, societal change, and the dynamics of human emotions can be crystallized into art. By bridging traditional Punjabi cultural elements with modern existential queries, she has carved out a distinctive space that continues to inspire both readers and fellow writers in the literary community .
