MISHA, SOHAN SINGH (1934-1987)

Misha, Sohan Singh was born at village Bhent in district Kapurthala (Punjab) in a middle class family, Misha took an M.A. in English literature from Punjabi University in 1957. He taught English literature at National College, Sathiala, from 1957 to 1966 and joined All India Radio, Jalandhar as Producer, in 1966. He died in harness. Misha\’s poetry is the poetry of the soil. He speaks of the subdued and suppressed feelings and emotions of the common man.

His muse seeks solace in the expression of the earthly rather than the heavenly. Misha gives a touch of soil to his poems. He is a humanist who is usually inspired by life itself and its dark realities. His poetry springs from the fathomless ocean of human mind and feelings. Misha was committed to the progressive movemnt in the beginning of his literary career. One of his poems entitled \’Leek\’ (The line) hints at his earlier ideological stand, and is a satire on those who jeer at the poet for having taken a new turn. Misha stands distinctive in so far as the economy of idiom and symbol is concmed.

His simplicity of style and depiction of the down-to-earth realities of life make him different from his contemporary poets. \’Check Bulbali\’ is one of his most representative poems which is an artistic and poetic expression of a man\’s suppressed emotions and is a subtle social satire. Misha entered the literary world with Chaurasta (The crossroads, 1961), his maiden collection of poems which won him a critical acclaim. Dastak (The knock, 1966), Dheeme bol (The subdued tones) and Kach de vastar (The garments of glass, 1974) are Misha\’s other collections of poetry. The last one received Punjab State Literary Award in 1974 and Sahitya Akademi Award in 1977.

References :

1. Amarjit Singh, Punjabi sahit da itihas—Qissa kal, Amritsar, 1981.
2. Ramdev, Jaginder Singh (ed.), Punjabi Likhari Kosh, Jullundur, 1964.
3. Sekhon, S.S. and K.S. Duggal, A History of Punjabi Literature, Delhi, 1992.