JEET, GURMUKH SINGH (1922 – )

Jeet, Gurmukh Singh, born at Midh Ramjha in Sargodha district in 1922, is prolific Punjabi writer and critic. He did his post-graduation (Political Science) in 1949 from Punjab University and has retired as a senior class I officer, from Govt. of India. Jeet is a prolific writer who began his literary career as a critic with books like Amrita Pritam di kar-kala (1954), Samkali Punjabi kahani (1957), but soon turned to fiction. He has published nine short story collections: Kale admi (1956), Dharti son sunehli 1958), Daswan greh (1964), Phullan de parchaveu (1970), Supne di tajposhi (1977), Neel kanth (1981), Vekho kaun aayae (1986), Sargam di hatya (1987), Vakhre vakhre focus ( 1987); five novels: Mrig trishna (1968), Sarkah de par (1973), Ik hore suraj (1983), Majra kya Hai (1985), Fasana khattam hua (1987).

His creative writings have been translated into Hindi, Gujarati, Sindhi, English and Russian. He himself has compiled a few books of short stories and has rendered many classics from other Indian languages into Punjabi. For his fictional writings, he selects his locales and characters not only from the Punjab, but mostly from other Indian states. Thus his creative writings lend a helping hand in achieving cultural integration of India. His books are marked by variety of theme and catholicity of interest.

He is a Marxian writer, who has developed a progressive approach towards the problems of life. He delineates the economic exploitation of weaker man in society realistically and ironically. He was honoured with awards, for his novel Ik hore suraj, by Punjabi Academy, Delhi and Punjabi Sahitya Samikhya Board, Jalandhar in 1985.

References :

1. Diwana, Mohan Singh, A History of Punjabi Literature
2. Sekhon, S.S. and K.S. Duggal, A History of Punjabi Literature, Delhi, 1992.