Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival concludes at high note

Greed for NRI grooms be curbed and more vigilance required: Justice Rakesh Garg

Sangrur, November 22: Chairman of India’s first and only NRI Commission, Justice (retd) Rakesh Garg asked the people of Punjab to be more vigilant and curb their desire to have NRI grooms to protect their daughters against fraudulent weddings.

Chairman of NRI Commission, Mr. Justice (retd) Rakesh Garg

Addressing on the last day of the three-day Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival he informed that since the formation of the Commission in 2011, there had been about 1150 cases registered predominantly relating to matrimonial and property disputes out of which only 200 odd cases may be pending but in my tenure, he reitereated, 100 percent of the cases have been decide.

Dr. Raj Mohan Gandhi (centre) in discussion with
former VC of Panjabi University Dr SS Boparai (left) and
Prof Harpal Singh Pannu (right)

He said that the police authorities need also to be more vigilant especially where the boy does not return or calls the bride overseas after wedding here, which calls for more stringent action and including sections 406, 420 and 498A as well as the charges of fraud and rape.

Earlier on the day the Punjabi edition of Rajmohan Gandhi’s book “A History from Aurangreeb to Mount Batten” was released by the Panjabi University’s former vice chancellor Dr. Swaran Singh Boparai.  “I said written this book because of my deep curiosity in the history of Punjab and my affection for Punjabis,” he added.

The young writers session saw Khushwant Singh of “Maharaja in Denim” fame,

Suditi Jindal of “Grow up Moon”, photographer and artist Sandeep Singh, digital art specialist Mandeep Singh, and poetess haiku writer, Jaspreet Mandher from Panjabi University Patiala.  Moderated by journalist Balpreet, on their respective process of writing, Khushwant Singh considered it a divine process and he lets his pen do the writing at first and it is only later that he works on developing or refining the story line, while for Suditi Jindal it came naturally from her subconscious where this art lay dormant but once discovered, she found writing an energizing experience.

The digital artist Mandeep  and photographer Sandeep that any form of art is an artist’s expression and even when a biography is being written, it is the author’s perspective and persona that gets reflected in the writing.

Noted calligraphist, Kamaljeet Kaur

Earlier in the day, Sandeep Singh and Mandeep Singh showcased the art of digital photography and graphic designing while Suditi Jindal conducted a workshop on story writing at the Festival.

Kamaljeet Kaur the noted and lone Panjabi calligraphist underlined the need for students to learn Gurmukhi and art of writing which would generate interest amongst the young generation in their mother-tongue, on which, in another session, Dr. Surjit Singh of Punjabi University and Manmohan Singh made passionate appeal to revive interest in the language.

Panjabi language can be saved through the collective consistent efforts of writers, community, government, academicians, religious leaders, publishers, and the media, and emphasised that educational institutions have a great role to play, said noted writer Surjit Pattar.  We are undermining and demeaning study of Punjabi for which appropriate strategy should be developed, he added.

Mrs. Bittu Sandhu recited poems from her books Safina and Sadran and shared her views on poetry.

Former Punjab chief minister Smt Rajinder Kaur Bhattal along with the queen of the jungle, environmentalist and author Sunita Dhairyam shared their life’s journey and challenges they encountered in the male-dominated society.

Honouring Sangrur’s Icons

Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival also recognized some of the sporting icons of Sangrur ,  including the hero of Mission Thar Desert Col. Parry Grewal,  Mission Artic expeditionist Alamjit Sekhon, Senior Trap Shooter Capt Fatehbir Shergill, and  Junior Trap Champion Haqiqat Singh, and short documentaries of their respective expeditions were also screened.

Sangrur Kala Kendra also honoured the Festival Director and founder of the heritage and literary event in Sangrur, Karanvir Singh Sibia and historian author of Sangrur, Rajeev Jindal for reviving the interest in heritage and literature of the region amongst the community.  Both of them, who have authored and chronicled the history of Sangrur and the Jind state in their respective books, shared their memories and the great contribution to the society their forefathers had made to the city.

The day’s proceedings opened with a classical dance performance by students of General Gurnam Singh Public School and Krishnanshu Jindal, student of Class VIII gave a presentation on how to preserve heritage buildings of Sangrur.

The Festival came to an end with the Rajasthani folk performance ‘Tera Bandhani’.

Need to preserve Punjab’s rich heritage: Experts

The scene for the second day of the Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival 2015 shifted to the another heritage building of Sangrur, General Gurnam Singh Public School here today, with the entourage of authors and other invitees marched to the school led by the band of the 13th Punjab Battalion (Jind).
The inaugural opened with a presentation of Punjab’s folk music instruments by Gurjeet Singh Jeet and his troupe who were introduced by the writer, artist Sidhaarth.  The technical aspects and the history of each instrument i.e. dhol, vanjali, algoza, chimta, bugta, sarangi were informed and performed.

The first session discussed the aspects of protecting rich urban heritage in which Gurmeet Rai, the renowned architectural conservationist said that in the country there are only 8000 buildings in the country that are either protected by ASCI and the state governments, which in no way convey the vastness and true culture of our country. She emphasized the need for the well-meaning locals in each city to work towards preserving their heritage treasure and actively work to make urban development commensurate with the requirements.

Raghav singh son of Thakur Ram Partap Singh of Diggi Palace and founder of Jaipur Lit Fest said that Jaipur has shown the way how community itself can work to preserve its heritage and can be replicated by any city by taking care of their old buildings with the same passion and concern as one takes care of one’s old people.

Karanvir Singh Sibia sasid that Sangrur Heritage Preservation Society would be developing tourist literature and setting up local library besides advocacy for preservation of Sangrur.
Historian author of Jind state, Rajeev Jindal said that Sangrur had been one of the most beautiful and well planned city which could be cordoned off by its four heritage gates that no longer exist today.

Later in another session Bir Devinder Singh and Dr Rubina Shabnam along with Ashwani Kumar discussed the contribution of Saddat Hassan Manto to Indian literature, who left indelible mark through his sensitive writings that remain as bulwark and guiding light for many young writers.
Earlier the tributes were paid to General Gurnam Singh by S. Manjit Singh Sibia , Secretary, General Gurnam Singh Trust

S.Jasvir Singh (Ex Minister), Shri J.R Singla (Rtd. ETO),Mr.SurinderSharma,Mr.Balwinder Jindal,S.Gursimran Sibia,S.Harchet Chahal (Mastuana),S.Jagraj Maan,family members of Kanwar Mohinder Singh Bedi ,Brig.Rajsher Grewal,family members of S.Shamsher Singh Chief Minister Jind State ,Pali ji Grewal ,G.S Sidhu (Chairman),S.Kulwinder Singh (Ex Principal G.G.S Public School ,Sangrur )and S.Jaswinder Singh Riar (Principal G.G.S Public School ,Sangrur) attented the festival.
Artist writer Sidharth and Kamaljeet Kaur organised the painting and calligraphy workshops respectively with the students during the Festival.



Harjeet Singh’s short film on Sant Attar Singh ji Mastuana released

A short documentary on the life and contribution of Sant Attar Singh ji Mastuana was released here on the second day of the Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival.

The short documentary has been produced and directed by Harjeet Singh of “Yeh Janam Tumhare Lekhe” fame who devoted last two months to the production of the documentary.

Bhai Nirmal Singh Hazoori Raagi opens the Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival

The walls of Baradari in Banasar Bagh, located in the heart of the erstwhile capital of Jind State, Sangrur, reverberated with dulcet classical notes from Gurbani as Hazoori Ragi Bhai Nirmal Singh ji held the kirtan durbar there. 

This was a pious beginning for the Festival in a heritage location of the city, which has long history, said Karanvir Singh Sibia, Festival Director. 

Later in the evening everyone congregated at the 125 years old Shahi Samadhan where homage was paid by 13th Punjab Regiment (Jind)'s band to the late Maharaja Gajpat Singh of Jind state, followed by Khula Durbar by Sidharth, famous writer and artist. 

On the second day tomorrow, the literary festival would open at another heritage building, General Gurnam Singh Public School lawns at 10am with opening of exhibitions of ancient royal artefacts and antiques, paintings, calligraphy, etc. 

The inaugural would see a presentation of Panjabi folk instruments along with the jugal bandi by over 13 artists using those instruments, followed by the morning session focussing on protectionof rich urban heritage, Saddat Hassan Manto's writings, and book readings of 'Mera Pind' by Gyani Gurdit Singh's novel, Saun-Shilap, and Dr Shivdev Singh Sidhu's "Beyond the Village Pond" with Kanwar Rani Brahm Prakash Kaur Brar of Faridkot, Dr. Tejinder Harjeet and Dr. Swaran Singh Boparai would be reading the excerpts of three books respectively. 

The highlight of the afternoon would be release of Sant Attar Singh ji Mastuana by S. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Rajya Sabha Member, which has been produced by Harjeet Singh of 'Eh Janam Tumhare Lekhe' fame. 

PTC News is the media partner for the Festival and we are grateful to them for continuing to support our endeavour and we do hope that more and more people would be attracted to Sangrur, so that we can showcase what is new here.

Shabad Bani from Baradari

Sangrur Heritage and Literary Festival 

9:30am

Tomorrow the Festival opens with the Kirtan Durbar by

Padmashri Bhai Nirmal Singh ji Khalsa, Hazoori Ragi, 

at Baradari, Banasar Bagh, Sangrur

The much awaited day is here. Tomorrow, Friday the 21st of November 2015, the rolling green gardens of Baradari would reverberate with divine music and Gurbani Kirtan by Padmashri Bhai Nirmal Singh ji Khalsa.  He would regale the audience, the visiting guests and authors, in the Baradari complex, which was created for holding diwans and such congregations by the founders of Sangrur. 

4:00pm

Homage to the founders of the State of Jind at the Shahi Samadhan.  13^th Punjab Regiment (Jind)’s band to
perform

The 125 years old Shahi Samadhan stand restored.  The Department of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums, has renovated 16 samadhis to preserve ‘Shahi Samadhan’ of the erstwhile Jind state’s rulers.

Of the 16 samadhis, 14 were constructed over 125 years ago with bricks and lime-surkhi (brick powder), while two were built around 60-65 years ago with marble, etc.

Some of these samadhis are of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s maternal grandfather Maharaja Gajpat Singh and maternal uncle Maharaja Bhag Singh, Maharaja Fateh Singh, Maharaja Sangat Singh, Maharaja Sarup Singh, Maharaja Ranbir Singh and Maharaja Rajbir Singh. All these samadhis are situated in a complex outside the Nabha Gate here.

The Sangrur Heritage Preservation Society has organised a special programme to pay homage to founder of the Jind State, Maharaja Gajpat Singh, where the old 13th Punjab Regiment (Jind) band would pay musical tribute. 

6:00pm

Khula Durbar by famous artist, writer Sidharth from Delhi

At Baradari, Banasar Bagh, Sangrur

All would return to the Baradari to attend 'Khula Durbar' by famous artist, writer Sidharth. 

20th November is the time to be at Sangrur

Nearly 30 writers from different parts of the country would be converging to the beautiful locale of Sangrur, the heritage city.
The erstwhile state of Jind would be hosting the first-ever Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival.

Besides the literary interactive sessions, a few special concurrent workshops have also been planned with the experts on 21st and 22nd November to teach new skills, and introduce to the local youngsters and all those willing to acquire new knowledge, from experts. More information follows in subsequent posts.

At this stage, we wish to convey our gratitude to the media for their excellent support to our endeavours and we do hope that people living in Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Patiala, and other cities near Sangrur, would spend their weekend with us and get to know the rich heritage of the place.

Sangrur Heritage & Literary Fest would be a unique experience

Sangrur Heritage Preservation Society (SHPS) met the media at the Chandigarh Golf Club today to brief them about the first-ever Sangrur Heritage Literary Festival on November 20th to 22nd.

Karanvir Singh Sibia, Festival Director and Chairman of SHPS, Sangrur, along with Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Director N.S. Randhawa, author Khushwant Singh and Bittu Safeena Sandhu, and travel columnist H. Kishie Singh, unveiled the logo of the festival.

Sangrur, which has been the erstwhile capital of the Jind state, has a rich heritage which would form the thematic background for all literary, art, traditional music, folklore, cultural and other activities to be organized during the three-day festival, informed Karanvir Singh Sibia.

N.S. Randhawa commending the initiative said that his department had been actively engaged in restoring the old buildings and working towards preserving the handicrafts of the place.

Khushwant Singh remarked that this is going to be not an event but a mission where the Society has taken upon itself to preserve and promote the local heritage, art, culture and literature, while endorsing the sentiments Bittu Safeena described the city as beautiful place which needs to be talked about and Kishie Singh considered it to be an opportunity for the young generation to discover their heritage.

Karanvir Sibia, who is an author of “A Life Well Lived” whose Panjabi version would also be released during the festival, said that they had conceived the idea of celebrating a Sangrur day with cultural evening but with the support of the local residents, it has emerged as a heritage and literary festival, which will see over 30 authors of national repute have confirmed their participation.

This is being organized under the expert guidance of Thakur Ram Partap Singh, owners of Diggi Palace Jaipur, one of the founders of the Jaipur Literary Festival, who visited Sangrur last month to share his expertise and has assured all help in making this event a memorable one.

Former Maharaja of Jind, HH Satbir Singh Jind, along with the royal families of Faridkot, Patiala, Malerkotla, Nabha, are expected to participate.

The festival would open on 20th November with spiritual rendition by Padma Shri Bhai Nirmal Singh, Hazoori Raagi, at the famous Baradari in Banasar Bagh at 9:30am, followed by a homage to the founder of Jind State, late Maharaja Gajpat Singh, at the Shahi Samadhan by band of illustrious 13 Punjab Regiment (Jind), and a Khula Darbar at 6pm in Baradari by famous artist, writer, sculpture, singer Sidharth.

Literature festival will commence Saturday, 21st November at 10am at General Gurnam Singh Public School, a heritage building dating back to over a century which was known as Bachitar Niwas where erstwhile commander-in-chief of Jind State, General Gurnam Singh resided and where the barat of late Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was received on 9th March 1908.

Some of the well-known authors including Capt Amarinder Singh, Dr. Rajmohan Gandhi, artist and writer Sidharth, Surjit Pattar, former vice chancellor of Panjabi University Swaran Singh Boparai, heritage writer Gurmeet S. Rai, environmental writer Sunita Dharyam, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal,  besides many local writers.

Panjabi edition of Dr. Rajmohan Gandhi’s latest bestseller “Punjab: A History from Aurangzeb to Mountbatten”, Capt. Amarinder Singh’s latest book on 1965 war, “The Monsoon War” would also be released during the Festival.

Harjeet Singh, the famous film producer and director of “Yeh Janam Tumhare Lekhe” fame has produced, especially for this Festival, a short film on the life and contribution of Sant Attar Singh ji Mastuana, which would be premiered on the 21st evening.  The film would be released by Sardar Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Member Rajya Sabha and Chairman, Akal Council Mastuana.

Some of the prominent sessions include “Remembering Kunwar Mohinder Singh Bedi” whose family would be present and his newphew Ravinder Singh Bedi would present an audiovisual and share his literary journey; “Letters of Amrita Pritam and Imroz”, “Guru Nanak: Naad Yogi” by Sidharth, “Remembering Saddat Husain Manto” with Bir Devinder Singh and Ashwani Kumar, travel writing by famous motorist columnist H. Kishie Singh.

Some of the sporting icons and young spirits of Sangrur would be recognized on the last day of the fest which include Alamjit Sekhon of Mission Artic, senior trap shooter Capt Fatehbir Shergill , Junior trap champion Haqiqat Singh, Mission Thar Desert Hero Col. P.S. Grewal, etc.

Punjab NRI Commission chairperson Justice Rakesh Garg would be in conversation with CNN-IBN senior editor Jyoti Kamal to examine the issues involving NRIs from the region.

Another highlight include a workshop and exhibitions by famous artist Sidharth, and calligraphist of Punjab Kamaljeet Kaur. 

Jind state’s antique artifacts would be on display from the rare antique collection of Ashwani Chaudhary of Sangrur, and Gulshan Bhardwaj of Jind.

The local artisans and craftsmen including hand weavers, potters, carpenters, shoemakers, would display their wares at the stalls besides sumptuous array of cuisines would be available to add to the festivities.

The intent behind the Festival is to revive the interest in the rich heritage of Sangrur, sensitise the people to partner for its preservation, promote local art and culture unique to Sangrur by providing a platform to the local authors, poets, intellectuals, painters, photographers, academicians, theatre artists to showcase their talent and share it with the youth and the old alike.

The Society relents the unfortunate loss of several iconic heritage landmarks including Lady Minto Girls High School, old Tehsil building, four city gates namely Sunami Gate, Dhuri Gate, Patiala Gate, and Nabha Gate, over a period of time, and would endeavour to preserve the remaining buildings for posterity.

These efforts, the organizers feel, would have direct positive impact on the economy of the region with the flow of thousands of literary-minded people, lovers of art and culture, as well as tourists from all over the world in times to come.

Kirtan Darbar at Sangrur by Hazoori Ragi at Sri Darbar Sahib to

Courtesy: www.sikhwalpapers.com

He is the first hazoori raagi ever to be conferred with Padmashri award by the Government of India in 2009.
Bhai Nirmal Singh ji Khalsa has been rendering service as a Hazoori Ragi at Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar since 1979.
Sangrur would have the privilege to attend the Kirtan Darbar at Baradari, Banasar Bagh, on Friday, 20th November 2015 at 9:30am.
He would be opening the Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival with the Divine invocation.
All are requested to join in and congregate at Baradari by 9:00am to take the benefit of Bhaisaheb's presence, and kirtan recital.

Sidharth, a multi talented creative and colourful personality with a remarkably checkered

career, has led a life full of turns and twists that make this born again artist’s story full of mystique, that gets mirrored in his art.
 
Traversing from realistic figuration to ritualistic work, classical imagery to abstract installations, folk idiom to international contemporary sensibility, his repertoire includes painting, print making, writing poetry, composing music, singing, sculpting, calligraphy, drawing, filming and now a unique creative genre that is an assimilation of these varied streams. 

From humble beginnings as a child assistant to a wall painter he has turned out to be an internationally acclaimed artist exhibited and collected extensively. 

Discover more about Sidharth.

He would be conducting a special interactive session at Baradari, Banasar Bagh, on 20th November evening at 6pm at Sangrur Heritage & Literary Festival.

Programme for SHeLF is out

Check out the details of various sessions and participating speakers and authors at the Sangrur Heritage and Literary Festival.

On 20th November, there would be three activities that would mark the beginning of this first-ever Sangrur Heritage and Literary Festival in the city of Sangrur, the capital of the erstwhile state of Jind.

Click to check out the programme here. 

Logo released

The logo of Sangrur Heritage and Literary Festival was released at a media interaction being held in Sangrur today afternoon.

Sangrur, which has been the erstwhile capital of the Jind state, has a rich heritage which would form the thematic background for all literary, art, traditional music, folklore, cultural and other activities to be organized during the three-day festival, informed Karanvir Singh Sibia, Festival Director, and Chairman SHPS.
The organizing committee comprising of the local residents have volunteered to be a part of this grand event, for which over 30 authors of national repute have confirmed their participation.

The is being organized under the expert guidance of Thakur Ram Partap Singh, owners of Diggi Palace Jaipur, one of the founders of the Jaipur Literary Festival, who visited Sangrur last month to share his expertise and has assured all help in making this event a memorable one.

Former Maharaja of Jind, HH Satbir Singh Jind, along with the royal families of Faridkot, Patiala, Malerkotla, Nabha, are expected to participate.

The festival would open on 20th November with spiritual rendition by Padama Shri Bhai Nirmal Singh, Hazoori Raagi, at the famous Baradari in Banasar Bagh at 9:30am, followed by a homage to the founder of Jind State, late Maharaja Gajpat Singh, at the Shahi Samadhan by 13 Punjab Regiment.

Literature festival will commence next day on 21st November at 10am at General Gurnam Singh Public School, a heritage building dating back to over a century which was known as Bachitar Niwas where erstwhile commander-in-chief of Jind State, General Gurnam Singh resided and where the barat of late Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was received on 9th March 1908.