Punjab’s famous writer and poet Surjit Patar passes away at 79 due to heart attack

Surjit Patar no more : Punjab’s acclaimed writer, poet, and cultural icon Surjit Patar passes away at 79 on Saturday morning due  to heart attack, leaving Punjab's literary community in mourning.

With profound sadness, the news of his demise at the age of 79 has left a void in the cultural landscape of the region

Early Life 

Born Surjit Hunjan, Surjit Patar was a Punjabi writer and poet from Punjab, India.  His poetry are quite well-liked by the general audience and have received positive reviews from critics.

After completing his studies at Randhir College in Kapurthala, he went on to get a master's degree from Punjabi University in Patiala and a doctorate in literature from Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar, focusing on the "transformation of folklore in Guru Nanak Vani". He then joined the academic profession and retired as Professor of Punjabi from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

Rise to Prominence and Notable Works 

Surjit Patar began penning poems in the middle of the 1960s. "Hawa ਵਿਚ Likhe Harf" (Words written in the Air), Birkh Arz Kare (Thus Spake the Tree), Hanere Vich Sulagdi Varnmala (Words Smouldering in the Dark), Lafzaan Di Dargah (Shrine of Words), Patjhar Di Pazeb (Anklet of Autumn) and Surzameen (Music Land) are a few of his poetry pieces

He translated Federico García Lorca's three tragedies, Girish Karnad's play "Nagmandala," and poems by Bertolt Brecht and Pablo Neruda into Punjabi. Additionally, he adapted plays from Jean Giradoux, Euripides, and Racine. Furthermore, he authored tele-scripts focusing on Punjabi poets from Sheikh Farid to Shiv Kumar Batalvi.

His innate talent and passion for poetry led him to become one of Punjab's most celebrated writers, known for his evocative verses that captured the essence of Punjabi life and culture. 

Honors and Awards

Surjit Patar's contributions to literature have been acknowledged with numerous awards and honors, including Punjab Sahitya Akademi Award, the Padma Shri, and the Punjab Rattan Award. In 2012, he was conferred with the Padma Shri Award, the fourth highest civilian award in India, for his outstanding contributions to literature and education. His literary prowess was once again celebrated in 2014 when he received the Kusumagraj Literary Award.

Tributes

From the literary and artistic worlds to the media, condolences for Surjit Patar have been flooding in since word of his death broke. Intellectuals, poets, writers, and fans have all expressed their profound sadness at the passing of a literary giant whose work will live on and inspire new generations.

ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਮਾਣ ਮੱਤੀ ਸ਼ਖਸ਼ੀਅਤ ਉੱਘੇ ਕਵੀ ਸੁਰਜੀਤ ਪਾਤਰ ਦੇ ਸਦੀਵੀਂ ਵਿਛੋੜੇ ਦੀ ਖਬਰ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀ ਦੁਖਦਾਈ ਹੈ।
ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬੀਅਤ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਣ ਸ਼ਬਦਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਬਿਆਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੀ।
ਬੇਹੱਦ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ, ਮਿਲਣਸਾਰ ਤੇ ਨਿੱਘੇ ਸੁਭਾਅ ਦੇ ਮਾਲਕ ਸੁਰਜੀਤ ਪਾਤਰ ਜੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦਾ ਮਾਣ ਸਨ, ਹਨ ਤੇ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਰਹਿਣਗੇ।
ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ… pic.twitter.com/5EJae08m5W — Bikram Singh Majithia (@bsmajithia) May 11, 2024

Waheguru…..

ਅਖੀਰੀ ਵਕਤ ਇਹ ਮੰਜ਼ਰ ਹੈ ਕੈਸਾ⁰ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਪਰਵਾਜ਼ ਭਰਨੀ ਅੰਬਰਾਂ ਦੀ⁰ਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਏਥੇ ਹੀ ਟੁੱਟ ਕੇ ਡਿੱਗਣਾ ਹੈ

ਸੁਰਜੀਤ ਪਾਤਰ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਇਸ ਤਰਾਂ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਦੀ ਮਹਿਫ਼ਲ ਚੋਂ ਚਲੇ ਜਾਣਾ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਲਈ ਬਹੁਤ ਵੱਡਾ ਘਾਟਾ ਹੈ। ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਇਹ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਨਿੱਜੀ ਵੀ ਹੈ।

Passing away of Surjit Patar ji is a great loss to Punjab.… pic.twitter.com/HxQKByA2dr — Harjot Singh Bains (@harjotbains) May 11, 2024

Legacy and Remembrance 

Even though Surjit Patar is no longer with us, his poetry and thoughts will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of those who have been impacted by it. His contributions to Punjabi literature as a poet, writer, and cultural ambassador will live on and inspire future poets and writers.

- With inputs from agencies

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