Big loss to Punjabi poetry; eminent Punjabi poet, writer passes away; cremation on Sunday

Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ May 11,2024

Dr. Surjit Patar, a big name in the Punjabi literature, passed away at the age of 79 due to cardiac arrest at his residence in Ludhiana’s Ashapuri area.

Dr. Patar is survived by his wife Bhupinder Kaur Patar, sons Manraj Patar and Ankur Patar.

Born in Patar Kalan village of Jalandhar, he completed his education at Randhir College Kapurthala and then went on to get a Master’s degree from Punjabi University, Patiala and then a PhD in Literature on “Transformation of Folklore in Guru Nanak Vani” from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

He started writing poetry in mid-sixties. Among his works of poetry are “Hawa ਵਿਚ Likhe Harf” (Words written in the Air), Birkh Arz Kare (Thus Spake the Tree), Hanere Vich Sulagdi Varnmala (Words Smouldering in the Dark), Lafzaan Di Dargah (Shrine of Words), Patjhar Di Pazeb (Anklet of Autumn) and Surzameen (Music Land)

Dr. Patar served as a professor of Punjabi at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana .

He is the president of Punjab Arts Council, Chandigarh. In the past, he has held the office of the President, Punjabi Sahit Akademi, Ludhiana.

He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2012 . But following the farm agitation in 2020, Dr. Patar announced in December his decision to return the civilian honor in solidarity with protesting farmers at Delhi borders against the now-repealed farm laws.

His cremation is scheduled on Sunday as his son who is settled in Australia is coming for his cremation.