LAHORE: On the second day (Saturday) of 30th International Conference on Punjabi Literature and Culture, organised by the World Punjabi Congress (WPC), the delegates spoke on the topics of peace, tolerance, literature and performing arts.

This year’s conference is dedicated to Baba Guru Nanak and the delegates are mostly from India and other countries but there is a considerable number of writers, poets and intellectuals from Lahore and other cities of Punjab from this side of the border.

Writer and political activist Farrukh Sohail Goindi said Fakhar Zaman had been consistently holding the conference since 1985 regardless of tensions between India and Pakistan. The voices of peace had always been raised from Punjabis of two sides and Sufi saints, writers, poets of both Punjabs had always talked about peace and tolerance. He, however, criticised the role of mainstream media of both sides, which, according to him, added fuel to fire whenever relations took a wrong turn between the two countries. To Mr Goindi, there was a disconnect from history in Punjab on both sides of the border and peace would always be needed.

Pakistan Academy of Letters Director Asim But read out a paper on, ‘Contemporary Pakistani Punjabi Novel’. He threw light on different shades and colours in Punjabi novels written, saying love and rebellion were the major and constant components one could see in these novels. Similarly, he added, there was a strong tradition of poetry in Punjabi literature; however, the history of Punjabi novel was some 100 or so years old.

“Since the 1960s till date, Punjabi novel went through many phases and experiments. Afzal Ahsan Randhawa was the pioneer of Punjabi novel who weaved storylines of his novels in the backdrop of rural Punjab. Another big name in Punjabi novel was that of Fakhar Zaman who, unlike Randhawa, depicted the urban scene in his novels,” Mr Butt said.

In between the speeches, Dr Khalid Javed Jan recited his famous poem, Baghi. Mushtaq Lashari, a political activist from United Kingdom, underlined the need for peace and tolerance in society. He said it was good that now Habib Jalib and Faiz Ahmed Faiz were being recited in both India and Pakistan as both poets gave the message of peace. Referring to the Punjabi culture in the West, Mr Lashari said that Bhangra had kept Punjabi cultural tradition alive in the West.

Film, TV, stage actress and educationist Sunita Dhir from India, in her speech, mentioned the names of important women who played a role in Punjabi theatre. Besides mentioning names who worked before the Partition in Punjabi in Lahore and Amritsar, she also referred to the late Madeeha Gauhar, the founder of Ajoka, and shared with the audience of Gauhar’s memories that how she used to stage Ajoka plays in India.

From the Indian Punjabi theatre, Mr Dhir mentioned names of Daharam Kaur, Gurmeet Kaur, Sarla Sharma and Neelam Maan Singh. She said promotion of Punjabi theatre was extremely important at school and college levels in both countries so that the rich tradition of Punjabi literature could be explored. She stressed the need for more women joining the Punjabi theatre.

Senior lawyer Hamid Khan called for better relations between India and Pakistan. He shared with the audience the memories of his visits to India, leading delegations of lawyers.

Dr Taraspal from India read out a paper on Baba Farid and Baba Guru Nanak. She said teachings of Sufi saints from both Punjabs were based tolerance and peace.

Khalid Hussain from Jammu Kashmir also spoke.

children’s show: The FM 95 Punjab Rung radio channel is all set to start broadcasting a new programme for children, Jag Mag Kerday Taray.

The programme, which will air at 7am, will feature poems, folklores, anecdotes, sayings, quotes, quizzes, discussion on issues such as climate, plantation, pollution, waste management, hygiene, mannerism, sense of responsibility, grooming , love for culture and much more.

Saman Rai, the director general of Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture that manages the radio channel, told Dawn that the programme will launch on Feb 17 and had been planned in view of the dearth of dedicated shows for children. She said the main idea was to acquaint children with Punjabi language while laying equal stress on their education through entertainment, music and literature.

“Children are the asset of our nation who must harness their language skills as well as diversity of knowledge related to larger issues like pollution, climate, plantation and development of Pakistan,” she added.

Performing and visual artists would be invited to the programme who would share their childhood stories with the listeners. Folklore has a deep imprint on Punjabi language and children would be able to dilate on the richness and diversity of Punjabi language. The programme has been designed to inculcate love for culture among children.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2020