Declared after 6 years, literary awards for Punjabi writers yet to be conferred

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 5

Punjabi writers’ wait for the Shiromani Literary Awards seems to be never-ending as the Finance Department has failed to sanction money for the awards despite an announcement made 10 months ago.

First, the successive governments failed to announce the awards since 2014. Now, when the Congress government announced the cumulative awards of six years in December, it failed to hold the award ceremony even as nine months have passed.

Waiting for the awards, five writers/artists, including London-based writer S Balwant, Mohali-based writer Taran Gujral, Dhadi singer Dalbara Singh Ubha, folk singer Sardul Sikander and writer Harbans Singh Chawla, passed away in the last nine months.

There are several ageing writers who are losing hope that the government will hold the function in near future. Om Parkash Gasso, 89, who was given Punjabi Sahit Ratan for 2015, is the oldest among the writers whose names figured on the awards’ list last year. He says besides financially helping writers, these awards inspire the collective creative process of society. “It looks nice if some decorum and deadline is followed. Often charm is lost the way the government conducts the award ceremonies. I am chosen for the award which pertains to 2015 but 2021 is nearing end. What is the fun of such ceremonies?” says Gasso.

Minister for higher education and languages Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa accepted that the delay was painful as several writers had not been able to see the ceremony. “But the department’s responsibility was to select the deserving authors and announce awards. We are waiting for the sanction of funds from the Finance Department. We hope that the approval comes soon and the award ceremony is held,” he said.

The Punjab Languages Department gives Sahitya Ratan and Shiromani Awards in 18 different categories of literature and art. The awards were instituted just after Independence. Shiromani Sahitkar awards comprise Rs 5 lakh cash and Shiromani Sahit Ratan awards comprise Rs 10 lakh.

Five awardees no more

Taran Gujaral: Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar, 2016

S Balwant: Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar (outside Punjab), 2020

Harbans Singh Chawla: Shiromani Punjabi Bal Sahit Writer, 2016

Dalbara Singh Ubha: Shiromani Dhadhi/Kawishar for 2020

Sardul Sikandar: Shiromani Punjabi singer/musician for 2017