HARBHAJAN SINGH HALWARVI (1943-)

Born in 1943, in Halwara, Distt. Ludhiana, Punjab, Harbhajan Singh Halwarvi is a post-graduate in Mathematics and Punjabi Literature. He also knows Hindi and English. In 1977 he joined Punjabi Tribune as Assistant Editor; then he became Acting Editor and eventually Editor, of the same paper and worked there up to 1997 and again from 2000 to 2002. He has been guest Editor, Jagriti (Punjabi Monthly), Senior Research Fellow, Deptt.

of Punjabi Development, Punjabi niversity and Editor, Ajj Di Awaz, and Vice President, Punjabi Bhasha Academy, Jalandhar. His works include four poetry collections, Paun Udas Hai, Pighle Hoe Pal etc., three travelogues, Cheen Vich Kujh Din etc., and a number of articles and book reviews.He has received several honours and awards, some of which are: Bhai Vir Singh Award by Languages Department of Punjab Government, Shiromani Punjabi Patrakar Award by Punjab Government Kartar Singh Dhaliwal Award for literature by Punjabi Sahit Academy, Ludhiana, and Harmony Award by the Organisation of Understanding and Fartemity, New Delhi. He was honoured by Raja Entertainers with a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000/- at Vancouver, Canada for his contribution to Punjabi journalism and literature.

Pulaan Ton Paar, the award-winning book of poems, is written in the neo-Progressive tradition. However, the poet is conscious not only of ideology but of the structure and aesthetics of a literary creation as well. The present work is noted for its lyrical quality. The book is adjudged an outstanding contribution to Indian poetry in Punjabi.

References :

1. Ramdev, Jaginder Singh (ed.), Punjabi Likhari Kosh, Jullundur.
2. Sekhon, S.S. and K.S. Duggal, A History of Punjabi Literature. Delhi, 1992.