CHANDIGARH: Two novels entitled ‘Qaadar’ and ‘Kalaakaar’ penned by Harjit Atwal, a renowned British novelist were released in the department of Guru Nanak Sikh studies. Renowned novelist Prof. Deepak Manmohan was the chief guest. In his welcome address Prof Gurpal Singh, academic incharge of the department gave an introduction about the Novelist and the broader themes of the novels.
In the five research papers presented by Prof. Manjinder Singh, head, School of Punjabi Studies GNDU Amritsar, Dr. Pravin Kumar, Dr Ravindra Kaur Dhaliwal, Dr Rajesh Kumar and Dr. Harmail Singh, paper presenters gave deep insights about both the novels. Pragmatics and philosophical aspects of the novels were discussed with all the possible angles and perspectives.
The main themes of the both Novels were content and intent of the Punjabi diaspora community; their struggles and challenges; their societal and cultural shifts & encounters; their economical and psychological behavioral changes; their caste and gender problems in the other land or society.