Under the auspices of the Sikh Studies program, two conferences were recently held at Columbia University. Organized by Professor Gurinder Singh Mann, the first conference concentrated upon Punjabi literature and the second upon agricultural concerns, While both conferences treated the Punjab, geographically, as foundational, hey transcended geographic boundaries to look at both issues with global perspective.
(On March 18, 1995, a conference on Punjabi literature, entitled “Immigrant Punjabi Literature,” was held at the School of Interactional and Public Affairs of Columbia University. Organized by Professor Mann as a sequel to last Spring’s conference on “Post Partition Punjabi Literature,” the conference brought together poets and scholars from the United States, Canada, and Britain who are actively involved in international Punjabi literary circles. The conference, given its focus on the state of Punjabi literature and language, was conducted primarily in Punjabi.
The conference was divided into two sessions, the first of which was opened up by editor and poet Amarjit Chadan of ‘London Chandan. who has published two collections of poetry and a book of essays in Punjabi, spoke at length of the challenges faced by Punjabi literature in an essay entitled “Pravasi Punjabi Sahittdian Simavan” (The Limits of Immigrant Punjabi Literature), Chandan’s response to the discourse which surrounds ‘migrant’ literature, or literature of exile, was to suggest that the dichotomy between migrant and native literature was a false construct. As a poet himself, he said it made no difference where one was geographically located, Chandan spoke about the state of contemporary Punjabi literature arguing that the field was unfortunately permeated by opportunists who attempted to take advantage of the polities of geographic categorization. He commented on the dearth of a diaspora literary tradition although Punjabis had settled in Europe as many as 50 years ago and in the United States and Canada almost 100 years ago. Chandan also spoke of the challenges faced by the field due to the Chandan’s essay was followed by a paper by Dr. Susham Bedi who writes both prose and poetry in Hindi, Dr. Bedi’s paper, “Previse Punjabi and a Hindi vich Sahitt” (Hindi Literature written by Punjabis), discussed Punjabi authors who use Hindi as their medium. The opening session was concluded by Dr. Mann’s essay, “Pravasi Punjabi Sahitt Dilchasap. CChunoutian”’ (Immigrant Punjabi Literature: Interesting Challenges). Dr. Mann addressed various issues which touch at the heart of the future of Punjabi language and literature, issues such as the Sanskritization of Punjabi, both within and outside the Punjab. Dr. Mann argued that the influence of writers and scholars outside the Punjab who choose to advocate and use Punjabi will have a profound positive impact upon the future of the language.
The second session, eloquently chaired by Rani Naginder, was a poetry reading by the many poets who had gathered at the conference, While some poets recited famous verses, a majority read their own original work. Among the participants were Harjap Aujala, Balraj Grewal, Hamidud Din Kamal, Ashraf Mian, Daljit Mokha, Jamil Nayyar. Ravinder Sahra, and Fatima Shahnaz. The after moon was Highlighted by Chandan’s recitation of many of his poems which are to be published in a forthcoming book In order to Celebrate the 400th Birthday Celebration of Sri Guru Hargobind (Nanak VI) Sikh Community of California announce Seminars on “Miri Pirv’
Locations:
Los Angeles May 13, 1995 Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut (corner of Temple & Grand) Fresno May 14, 1995 Bullard High school auditorium, Fresno (corner of Palm & Barstow) Berkeley May 18, 1995 UC Berkeley Campus San Jose May 20, 1995 Sikh Gurdwara of San Jose
Topics:
“Miri Piri and Sikh Politics”
“Miri Piri and Akal Takhat”
‘Miri Piri: Theological Perspective” “Miri Piri: Source and Model’ “Miri Piri Doctrine in Sikhism” “Tradition of Miri Piri in Sikhism’ “Mynamics of Miri Piri”
“iri Piri: A Historical Perspective” “Raj Karega Khalsa: Political Perspective” “Raji Karega Khalsa: Theological Perspective” “Sikh Rehat Namas as a Pillar of Sikh Way of Life” “Guru Granth Sahib as a Source of Sikh Way of Life” “The Symbolism of Two Swords in Christianity and Sikhism’
Participants: Prof. Manjit Singh Jathedar, Sri Akal Takhat, Amritsar Dr. Noel King Prof., UC Santa Cruz Dr. Balkar Singh Prof., Punjabi University, Patiala Dr. Jodh Singh Prof., Punjabi University, Patiala Dr. Kehar Singh Prof., Punjabi University, Patiala Dr. Harnam Singh Shan Former Prof., Guru Nanak Chair, Punjab Uniy Dr. Onkar Singh Research Scholar, Punjabi Uniy., Patiala Dr. Bikram Singh Prof., Gurmat College, Patiala Dr. Gurbax Singh Shergill Former Principal, Khalsa College, Amritsar Dr. Atamjit Singh Prof., UC Berekely
For more information, contact:
Dr. Jasbir Singh Mann (714) 8951774; Dr. Paramjit Singh Fagoora (209) 4392040; Amandeep Kaur Matharu (510) 5255988;
- Jit Singh Bainiwal (408) 2749373
Coordinated by: Center of Sikh Studies, Santa Ana Sponsored by: Gurdwaras of the Los Angeles Metropolitan, & Fresno area, & Sikh Gurdwara of San Jose.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 5, 1995
