AMRITSAR:A galaxy of top writers and poets today descended upon picturesque Khalsa College campus today as four-day-long `Amritsar Literary Festival and Book Fair-2021’ took to a colourful start. The litterateurs, academicians and book lovers intermingled as a huge gathering witnessed the first day of events in which the `Kavi Darbar’, headed by noted writer and poet Dr.Surjit Pattar was the primary attraction.
Earlier Dr.Pattar along with Khalsa College Governing Council Honourary Secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina and Principal Dr Mehal Singh inaugurated the festival. The grand book exhibition panorama with more than 50 publishers from all over the country, lead by National Book Trust (NBT) displayed their wide variety of books on diverse subjects.
While addressing the packed house of audience, students and literary enthusiasts, Patar said that Khalsa College has carried forward its legacy of rich heritage by organizing this grand event of literature and books. He batted for mother tongue Punjabi’s development as the festival is dedicated to the International Mother Tongue Day. `Banda Ann Paani Naal Hee Nahi Banhda, Bo- Baani Naal Vee Banda Hai (A person is not merely identified by what he or she eats but by what he speaks), so said Dr. Pattar as audience responded with huge clapping.
On the occasion, Chhina said that Khalsa College has remained the central place of literary activities since its inception and every social movement and activity for the upliftment of Punjabi and Punjabiyat, Such events, he said, further give fillip to the acts of giving space to academics and literature as great ideas and views are shared by scholars and thinkers.
Dr. Lakhwinder Singh Johal said books have remained the integral part of Punjabi culture and the festival is an opportunity to indulge with the books and immerse into the world of literature.NBT Director Yuvraj Malik said they were proud to be associated with the Amritsar Literary Festival and he was happy that this had been declared as an annual affair now.
Welcoming the guests earlier, Dr. Mehal Singh said that Punjab Art Council Chandigarh, NBT had joined hands with Department of Punjabi Studies, Khalsa College to arrange this national event. He emphasized that more than a century old College has been committed for the development and promotion of Punjab language and literature and the festival and book fair was a step forward in this direction.
In the another session, Dr. Patar also gave an account of literary journey and recited his popular poetry. Jaswant Jafar, Sukhwinder Amrit, Swaranjit Sawi, Darshan Buttar, Wahid, Balwinder Sandhu, Jagwinder Jodha, Chamnandeep Deol enthralled the audience with their poetry recitation. Dr. Atam Randhawa, convener of the festival and head of the Post Graduate Department of Punjabi Studies said that the festival was attracting a huge talent. Registrar, Prof. Davinder Singh, Senior faculty member Sukhmeen Bedi, Dr. Bhupinder Singh, Dr. Kuldeep Singh Dhillon, Dr. Heera Singh and many others were present on the occasion.