Friday, 20 November 2015

 

Bhai Nirmal Singh Hazoori Raagi opens the Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival

 

 

The walls of Baradari in Banasar Bagh, located in the heart of the erstwhile capital of Jind State, Sangrur, reverberated with dulcet classical notes from Gurbani as Hazoori Ragi Bhai Nirmal Singh ji held the kirtan durbar there. 

 

This was a pious beginning for the Festival in a heritage location of the city, which has long history, said Karanvir Singh Sibia, Festival Director. 

 

Later in the evening everyone congregated at the 125 years old Shahi Samadhan where homage was paid by 13th Punjab Regiment (Jind)'s band to the late Maharaja Gajpat Singh of Jind state, followed by Khula Durbar by Sidharth, famous writer and artist. 

 

On the second day tomorrow, the literary festival would open at another heritage building, General Gurnam Singh Public School lawns at 10am with opening of exhibitions of ancient royal artefacts and antiques, paintings, calligraphy, etc. 

 

The inaugural would see a presentation of Panjabi folk instruments along with the jugal bandi by over 13 artists using those instruments, followed by the morning session focussing on protectionof rich urban heritage, Saddat Hassan Manto's writings, and book readings of 'Mera Pind' by Gyani Gurdit Singh's novel, Saun-Shilap, and Dr Shivdev Singh Sidhu's "Beyond the Village Pond" with Kanwar Rani Brahm Prakash Kaur Brar of Faridkot, Dr. Tejinder Harjeet and Dr. Swaran Singh Boparai would be reading the excerpts of three books respectively. 

 

The highlight of the afternoon would be release of Sant Attar Singh ji Mastuana by S. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Rajya Sabha Member, which has been produced by Harjeet Singh of 'Eh Janam Tumhare Lekhe' fame. 

PTC News is the media partner for the Festival and we are grateful to them for continuing to support our endeavour and we do hope that more and more people would be attracted to Sangrur, so that we can showcase what is new here.

 

 

 

 

Saturday, 21 November 2015

 

Need to preserve Punjab’s rich heritage: Experts

 

The scene for the second day of the Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival 2015 shifted to the another heritage building of Sangrur, General Gurnam Singh Public School here today, with the entourage of authors and other invitees marched to the school led by the band of the 13th Punjab Battalion (Jind).
The inaugural opened with a presentation of Punjab’s folk music instruments by Gurjeet Singh Jeet and his troupe who were introduced by the writer, artist Sidhaarth.  The technical aspects and the history of each instrument i.e. dhol, vanjali, algoza, chimta, bugta, sarangi were informed and performed.

 

 

The first session discussed the aspects of protecting rich urban heritage in which Gurmeet Rai, the renowned architectural conservationist said that in the country there are only 8000 buildings in the country that are either protected by ASCI and the state governments, which in no way convey the vastness and true culture of our country. She emphasized the need for the well-meaning locals in each city to work towards preserving their heritage treasure and actively work to make urban development commensurate with the requirements.

 

Raghav singh son of Thakur Ram Partap Singh of Diggi Palace and founder of Jaipur Lit Fest said that Jaipur has shown the way how community itself can work to preserve its heritage and can be replicated by any city by taking care of their old buildings with the same passion and concern as one takes care of one’s old people.

 

Karanvir Singh Sibia sasid that Sangrur Heritage Preservation Society would be developing tourist literature and setting up local library besides advocacy for preservation of Sangrur.
Historian author of Jind state, Rajeev Jindal said that Sangrur had been one of the most beautiful and well planned city which could be cordoned off by its four heritage gates that no longer exist today.

 

Later in another session Bir Devinder Singh and Dr Rubina Shabnam along with Ashwani Kumar discussed the contribution of Saddat Hassan Manto to Indian literature, who left indelible mark through his sensitive writings that remain as bulwark and guiding light for many young writers.
Earlier the tributes were paid to General Gurnam Singh by S. Manjit Singh Sibia , Secretary, General Gurnam Singh Trust

 

S.Jasvir Singh (Ex Minister), Shri J.R Singla (Rtd. ETO),Mr.SurinderSharma,Mr.Balwinder Jindal,S.Gursimran Sibia,S.Harchet Chahal (Mastuana),S.Jagraj Maan,family members of Kanwar Mohinder Singh Bedi ,Brig.Rajsher Grewal,family members of S.Shamsher Singh Chief Minister Jind State ,Pali ji Grewal ,G.S Sidhu (Chairman),S.Kulwinder Singh (Ex Principal G.G.S Public School ,Sangrur )and S.Jaswinder Singh Riar (Principal G.G.S Public School ,Sangrur) attented the festival.

Artist writer Sidharth and Kamaljeet Kaur organised the painting and calligraphy workshops respectively with the students during the Festival.

Harjeet Singh’s short film on Sant Attar Singh ji Mastuana released

A short documentary on the life and contribution of Sant Attar Singh ji Mastuana was released here on the second day of the Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival.

The short documentary has been produced and directed by Harjeet Singh of “Eh Janam Tumhare Lekhe” fame who devoted last two months to the production of the documentary.

 

 

Sunday, 22 November 2015

 

Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival concludes at high note

 

Greed for NRI grooms be curbed and more vigilance required: Justice Rakesh Garg

Sangrur, November 22: Chairman of India’s first and only NRI Commission, Justice (retd) Rakesh Garg asked the people of Punjab to be more vigilant and curb their desire to have NRI grooms to protect their daughters against fraudulent weddings.

 

Addressing on the last day of the three-day Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival he informed that since the formation of the Commission in 2011, there had been about 1150 cases registered predominantly relating to matrimonial and property disputes out of which only 200 odd cases may be pending but in my tenure, he reitereated, 100 percent of the cases have been decide

 

He said that the police authorities need also to be more vigilant especially where the boy does not return or calls the bride overseas after wedding here, which calls for more stringent action and including sections 406, 420 and 498A as well as the charges of fraud and rape.

 

 

Earlier on the day the Punjabi edition of Rajmohan Gandhi’s book “A History from Aurangreeb to Mount Batten” was released by the Panjabi University’s former vice chancellor Dr. Swaran Singh Boparai.  “I said written this book because of my deep curiosity in the history of Punjab and my affection for Punjabis,” he added.

The young writers session saw Khushwant Singh of “Maharaja in Denim” fame, 

 

 

Suditi Jindal of “Grow up Moon”, photographer and artist Sandeep Singh, digital art specialistMandeep Singh, and poetess haiku writer,Jaspreet Mandherfrom Panjabi University Patiala.  Moderated by journalist Balpreet, on their respective process of writing, Khushwant Singh considered it a divine process and he lets his pen do the writing at first and it is only later that he works on developing or refining the story line, while for Suditi Jindal it came naturally from her subconscious where this art lay dormant but once discovered, she found writing an energizing experience.

The digital artist Mandeep  and photographer Sandeep that any form of art is an artist’s expression and even when a biography is being written, it is the author’s perspective and persona that gets reflected in the writing.

Earlier in the day, Sandeep Singh and Mandeep Singh showcased the art of digital photography and graphic designing while Suditi Jindal conducted a workshop on story writing at the Festival.

Kamaljeet Kaur the noted and lone Panjabi calligraphist underlined the need for students to learn Gurmukhi and art of writing which would generate interest amongst the young generation in their mother-tongue, on which, in another session, Dr. Surjit Singh of Punjabi University and Manmohan Singh made passionate appeal to revive interest in the language.

Panjabi language can be saved through the collective consistent efforts of writers, community, government, academicians, religious leaders, publishers, and the media, and emphasised that educational institutions have a great role to play, said noted writer Surjit Pattar.  We are undermining and demeaning study of Punjabi for which appropriate strategy should be developed, he added.

Mrs. Bittu Sandhu recited poems from her books Safina and Sadran and shared her views on poetry.

Former Punjab chief minister Smt Rajinder Kaur Bhattal along with the queen of the jungle, environmentalist and author Sunita Dhairyam shared their life’s journey and challenges they encountered in the male-dominated society

 

Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival also recognized some of the sporting icons of Sangrur ,  including the hero of Mission Thar Desert Col. Parry Grewal,  Mission Artic expeditionist Alamjit Sekhon, Senior Trap Shooter Capt Fatehbir Shergill, and  Junior Trap Champion Haqiqat Singh, and short documentaries of their respective expeditions were also screened.

Sangrur Kala Kendra also honoured the Festival Director and founder of the heritage and literary event in Sangrur, Karanvir Singh Sibia and historian author of Sangrur, Rajeev Jindal for reviving the interest in heritage and literature of the region amongst the community.  Both of them, who have authored and chronicled the history of Sangrur and the Jind state in their respective books, shared their memories and the great contribution to the society their forefathers had made to the city.

The day’s proceedings opened with a classical dance performance by students of General Gurnam Singh Public School and Krishnanshu Jindal, student of Class VIII gave a presentation on how to preserve heritage buildings of Sangrur.

The Festival came to an end with the Rajasthani folk performance ‘Tera Bandhani’.