HAMDARD, SADHU SINGH

Dr. Sadhu Singh Hamdard (1918 – 29.7.1984), son of Chowdhry Labbhu Ram, was born at village Paddi Met Wali, near Banga (district Jullundur). He was a poet, novelist and a journalist. He started newspaper Ajit Patrika, on November 1, 1955. Later, it was named daily Ajit. He was a pro-Congress and anti-Akali person. After split in the Akali Dal in 1962, he joined hands with Fateh Singh group. In 1966, he was nominated as a member of the Executive of the Akali Dal (Fateh Singh group) for one year. In 1968, he was awarded “the best journalist” award by the Punjab government. Two of his books received “the Book of the Year Award.”

He was given Padam Sri award by the Indian government, on January 26, 1984. He returned the award on June 16, after the attack of the Indian army, on Darbar Sahib (June 4, 1984). The attack on Darbar Sahib made him very much despondent. On July 29, 1984, he died of an heart attack.

His writings include: Ghazal, Modern Ghazal, Ghazal De Rang, Rang Sugandh, Vas Suvas (Poetry), Zeenat Baghel Singh, Takkar, Anakh, Make Up, Gandharv Viah etc. (Fiction), Akhin Dittha Rus (travelogue) etc. His Ph.D. thesis on Gazal is a masterpiece of research on the subject.

(Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)