As everybody knows, prose has two parts – fiction and non-fiction. Non-fictional
prose means essays, articles, travelogues, autobiographies etc. In Punjabi Literature
Principal Teja Singh, S.S. Amol, Gurbakhash Singh Preetlarhi and some others were
celebrities in the field of non-fictional prose. In the latest modern times Piara Singh Data,
Gurnam Singh Teer, Principal Sarwan Singh, K.L. Garg, and many others have
established themselves as essayists (Nibandh Lekhak). If Sarwan Singh dwells upon
different types of topics including sports in his own sober and matter-of-fact way, Data,
Teer and Garg have chosen the weapon of satire, humour and wit for presenting their
ideas. Following the tradition of these celebrities Giani Santokh Singh is trying to
expose the vices and follies prevalent in society in his own typical style – a style which
has the tinge of a propagandist, a speech maker, a religious preacher, a lexicographer
and a names dropper.
Francis Bacon defines an essay as a 'dispersed medication'. Samual Johnson calls
essay 'loose sally of the mind.' Alduons Huxley states that an essay is 'a literary device
for saying almost every thing about almost anything.' Montaingne briefs it as 'attemps at
self-portragal'. At the beginning of 'Walden' Henry David Thoreau reminds us that 'it
is ..... always the first person that is speaking. Whether expressed directly or not there is
always an 'I' in the essay – a voice shaping the text and fashioning a role for the reader'.
Keeping in mind all these definitions of an essay or Nibandh we may tentatively define
the essay as a 'Short work of non-fiction, often artfully disordered and highly polished,
in which an authorial voice invites an implied reader to accept as authentic a certain
textual mode of experience'.
Eveluating the creative writings of Giani Santokh Singh at the touchstone of these
definitions of non-fiction I would like to conclude that Giani is doing appreciable job by
composing literary essays on a variety of topics in which contemporary Sikh faith,
contemporary Sikh politics, socio-religious problems of Punjabi community all over the
world, tryist with Sikh history, allusions to Gurbani, Punjabi community vis-a-vis
immigration laws and rectification of Punjabi lexicography are quite, bold and dominant.
His essays like Jahaj Ke Gadda, Hansan Vekh Tarandian, Gheechmchola Shakhsiat and
Hai, Mera Mobile! are good examples of self-portrayal.
Giani Ji has travelled widely in the world since his first visit to Malawi in 1973.
From there he set out for travelling the countries like Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda,
Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, France,
Germany, Austria, Pakistan ,Afganistan, Fiji, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Thailand,
Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Caledonia, U.S.A., U.K., Canada, Ethiopia etc.
His travelling as an ascetic wanderer in these countries had given birth to the creations
like Berlin di Meri Pehli Yatra, Canada de Surele Granthi Singh Ji, Mera Pela Chakkar
Belgium da, Meri Pakista di Pehli Yatra, Main Addhe Kirae vich Safar Karda Haan, Aa
Uttrana Mera Australia Vich, Meri Pakistah di Teeji Yatra, Yatra Indonesia di, Meri
1990 Vaali Sansar Yatra, Bachna Mera Lutte Jaan ton Tanzanian Immigration Ton and
Jana Mera Vekhan Dabbo Vaala Zoo.
His book 'Sache Da Sacha Dhoa' encompasses his essays on history and religion.
The Centre-stage of the essays in this book is golden temple Amritsar, Sikh history and
Gurbani. After going through some of the essays in this book the readers may think that
Giani Ji is perhaps a politician. No doubt, Giani Ji does have a thorough knowledge
about contemporary politics of Punjab after 1947 but he himself does not participate in
any type of political activities. He is simply a prompt and active on-looker to the
political scenario of that area, especially to the activities of Shiromani Akali Dal, the
SGPC and Punjab unit of Indian National Congress. This politics gave birth to
Operation Blue Star in 1984 and Giani Ji has explained it nicely in his essay June 1984
Bare Bhashan. As it was a national event it is somewhat natural that the writer had to
allude to the political manoevrings in the national capital. Most of the essays of Giani Ji
are also prevaded with autobiographical and humorous touches and treatment. Apni
Kahani, Merian Do Mawan and Kharidna Mera Pehli Kitab Nu are purely
autobiographical in tone and treatment. Arti and Ion Hoia Swagat Merian Liktan Da are
humorous and witty in nature. Some of the writings of the writer have also provided
good matter towards rectification of some Lagan Matran of Gurmukhi alphabet. Adhak
Vichara ki Kare, Jajje dian Lattan Vich Aa Ghusi Belorhi Bindi and Punjabi Shabad
Jorhan di Sarlta te Smanta are good examples of such rectification. In his essays Giani Ji
has emphasised tenets of good living too. His creations like Toona Taman, Jadon Main
Jutti Chor Banano Bach Gia and Sunder Mukhraha do corroborate this aspect of his
thinking.
So far Giani Ji has given following five books to Punjabi non-fiction:
1. Sache Da Sacha Dhoa (in four editions)
2. Ujjal Kaihan Chilkna
3. Yadan Bhari Changer
4. Batan Bite Dian
5. Jo Vekhia So Akhia
The last three books are a good improvement over the first ones so far as both the
matter and manner are concerned. Giani Ji has also been honoured by some literary
forums both in India and abroad. At the moment he is leading a life of austerity and
introspection in his quiet and calm dwellings in Western Sydney – a place which exhales
abundantly the fragrance of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat. I wish him bountiful
exuberance of talent and lofty strides of progress in his future literary pursuits.
I am happy that Giani Ji is also slowly bidding bye to his earlier habit of names
dropping in his latest maturer compositions. Although the same and similar style runs
through all his creations, some redundant matter that was visible in the earlier pieces is
perhaps no more apparent in the latest ones.
From: Ajit Sahota
To: \"santokh singh\"
Received: Monday, 21 February, 2011, 1:05 PM
Respected Sardar Santokh Singh Ji
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa
Waheguru ji Ki Fateh.
I appreciate your kindness in sending a pdf copy of the book, \'Sache Da Sacha Dhoa'. I have never seen
such a beautiful book that is a treasure of instructions to understand and practice the teachings of
Gurbani in an easy manner. I have read only a few pages yet, and it is extraordinarily interesting and
useful dispelling many wrong notions that have crept up in our Sikh faith with the help of fake Sants
and Derawalas for their ulterior motives.
Your books are a noble effort to dispel ignorance that has crept up in our community. I would like to
acquire copies of your other books also, both as hard copies as well as pdf copy if possible. I will be
responsible for the cost of the books and shipping charges. These books will be part of Sikh National
Archives hear in Canada. Your kindness is very much appreciated.
Ajit Singh
781- Mayfield Road, Brampton, Ontario, Canada, L7A 0C5
tel: 905-846-5850.
We are very grateful to you for this excellent service to the Khalsa Panth. I will definitely read these
books but slowly, because I am a slow reader, trying to absorb and also enjoying the descriptions that
are sometimes funny (comic style) and very thoughtful and full of meanings. Example description of
Arti Utarna and comment by the Nihang Singh Ji, \"why they allowed it to go up in the first place!\"
At present we are quite busy fighting a Case in Quebec province, where the french legislature they did
not allow some Amritdhari Sikhs to enter the building with their \'Kakars\' - specially Kirpan. It was an
act of Racism for which they are making excuses. I work with the World Sikh Organization of Canada
as a volunteer for the past 27 years. I retired as a biologist with the Canada Department of Agriculture
in Ottawa, after 35 years of service in 2006. Sikh National Archives was started about 35 years ago,
first as a hobby to collect Punjabi literature, then it was registered and Incorporated as a charitable
Organization in 2000. There is a large collection of books, that we plan to digitise, and preserve, for use
by the public. Its a long project that we expect to be continued by younger generations of the Sikhs.
Ajit Singh Sahota
It will be nice to meet you, when you plan to come here. S Gurmit Singh Ji and another friend of his
and mine in UK (S. Gurbakhsh Singh Sivia) helped me collect materials for the Sikh National Archives.
They helped in many other Panthic Seva also. Very nice Gurmukhs.
The humorous tint in your writings makes it very useful to get the idea through the readers.Thank you
again for the books. If possible I will receive the other two books also. Please do not hesitate to let me
know the price or donation because printing and publishing do cost hard currency.
Ajit Singh
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