TIWANA, MANJEET (1947 -)

Tiwana, Manjeet, an eminent poet, was born in Patiala, Punjab. She did her M.A. in Psychology and English from the Punjab University in 1969 and 1973 respectively, and Ph.D. in Psychology in 1984. She also did Diploma in Indian Theatre (Acting and Direction) in 1975. She is currently Head of the Department of Psychology in Government College for Women, Chandigarh. Tiwana\’s first poem was published in Nagmani when she was only sixteen.

The significant poetical works to her credit are: Ilham (1976), Ilzam (1980), Tarian di joon (1982), Unida vartman (1987), Savitri (1989). While Savitri is a long epic poem, Unida vartman is a Collection of her new poems. This collection was given Sahitya Akademi Award in Punjabi for 1990. Twenty-four poems collected in this book are remarkable for their intensity of feeling and thought, and felicity of expression. Using rich and evocative symbols, she converts the apparently commonplace to a unique experience.

For its powerful use of language, intensity of imagination and sensitive probing of subtle feelings, this collection is a remarkable contribution to Punjabi poetry. Tiwana\’s poems are pure psychic automations which express the way human being really think and feel. The poems bypass reason. In fact her poems do not know any reason and express only feeling. They associate objects and men wide apart in space, time or both.

References :

1. Khushwant Singh, A History of the Sikhs, Vol. II., 1966.
2. Niranjan Singh, Jiwan Vikas (in Gurmukhi), Delhi, 1970.
3. Ramdev, Jaginder Singh (ed.), Punjabi Likhari Kosh, Jullundur, 1964.
4. Sekhon, S.S., A History of Punjabi Literature, Patiala, 1993.