Giani Gurdit Singh
Giani Gurdit Singh was born in Mithewal village in the state of Punjab, India. He was considered one of the greatest contemporary writers in Punjabi, and his book Mera Pind is regarded as a classic. It is now in its 23rd edition and has been in print continuously since 1961. He was also a pioneering journalist, the Owner-Editor of Parkash from 1947–1978. He was also the editor of Singh Sabha Patrika, a monthly magazine of Sikh history and divinity.
Giani Gurdit Singh graduated as "Giani" from Punjab University, Lahore in 1945, and he specialised in literature, divinity, history and folklore. He was a member of the Punjab Legislative Council from 1956 to 1962. He contributed to the debates at that time and in the creation of Punjabi University, Patiala and the recognition of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, as the 5th Takht of the Sikhs. He was General Secretary of the Singh Sabha Shatabadi Committee, Amritsar, renamed Kendriya Sri Guru Singh Sabha.
As the editor of the magazine Singh Sabha Patrika, he focused on issues of importance to the Sikhs.
He also established two Guru Granth Vidya Kendras, one in Chandigarh and another in Mehrauli, Delhi.
Family
Giani Gurdit Singh was a Sikh and was married to Inderjit Kaur Sandhu, who was the third vice-chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala,. and chairperson, Staff Selection Commission, Government of India. He had two sons, Roopinder Singh, and Ravinder Singh. Giani Gurdit Singh is a legend in the Punjabi-speaking world.Sahitya Akademi, India's premier literary body, has a "Makers of Indian Literature" series of monograms. In 2019, it published the book "Giani Gurdit Singh" in Punjabi by Baldev Singh (author), the famous novelist and Sahitya Akademi award winner, on Giani Gurdit Singh's life and literary works.
Punjabi University, Patiala, published "Gian Gurdit Singh Jiwan te Rachna" by Dr Jit Singh Joshi in 2023.
Literary and research work
Mera Pind draws a word picture of cultural life in Punjab, more specifically, of the Malwa region. With 29 chapters and 12 comments by critics, the 480-page book takes its readers through life, customs, folk songs, and seasons, using a series of relatable characters that find resonance with people who have a connection with village life. It remains the author's most famous creation and is often prescribed as a textbook for advanced Punjabi students.The following is a chronological listing of his published works:
- Edited 50 books, with introductory essays, for the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee in connection with the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa.
- 2003 Itihaas Sri Guru Granth Sahib: Mundavani
- 2000 Itihaas Sri Guru Granth Sahib: Bhagat Bani
- 1995 Mera Pind, a substantially modified and enlarged edition with five new chapters
- 1990 Ithas Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagat Bani Bhag
- 1987 Punjabi Jiwan te Sabhyachar
- 1971 Punjab Dian Lok Kahanian
- 1967 Mera Pind da Jiwan
- 1965 Takht Sri Damdama Sahib
- 1961 Bhat te Unhan di Rachna
- 1961 Mera Pind
- 1960 Tith Tihar
- 1960 Reetan te Rewaj
- 1960 Mere Pind di Rup Rekha
- 1960 Viah Dian Rasma
- 1955 Achchoh Sikhran
- 1954 Bhavan de Desh
- 1950 Amarnama
- 1945 Raag Mala di Asliat
- 19-- Nawan Punjab
- ''Anandpur Sahib di Sahit nu Dein''
Honours
- Punjabi Sahit Shiromani Puraskar, Languages Department, Punjab, 2006.
- Godrej No. 1 Doordarshan Panj Pani Sanman 2005 for contribution to the Punjabi heritage and culture by Doordarshan Kendra, Jalandhar.
- Honoured by Chief Khalsa Diwan, Amritsar at the Centenary Celebrations. 2003
- S. Kartar Singh Dhaliwal Award by Punjabi Sahitya Akademi, Ludhiana, 2000
- Designated Gurmat Acharya by Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee, Amritsar in 1991
- UNESCO prize for Punjabi Literature for the book Mera Pind da Jiwan in 1967
- UNESCO prize for Punjabi Literature for the book Tith Tihar in 1960