When
a person embarks on the path of creative writing^e has no idea of his
destination. He never makes a choice at any stage but is prompted to go ahead by
the urge in him to express himself. A time comes when he looks back and takes
stock of things. He is sometimes pleasantly surprised to see the corpus of his
writings. At that time he wants to put the things in proper order for posterity.
It is true that the response of the readers in the days to come is uncertain but
the creative writer always hopes for the best.Kulwant Jagraon, the well-known Punjabi poet, has recently published the three volumes of his poems, ghazals and geets. All of his poems are contained in Chetna di mishaal, his ghazals have found their abode in Harfaan de sheeshe and his love songs reverberate in Mohabbat di Khushbu. Essentially, he is a lyrical poet, in love with rhyme and rhythm. Like the Keatsian Nightingale, he wants to pour his soul into poetic creation in ecstasy. He never seeks applause as he is in a hurry to move from one object of beauty to another in gay abandon.
He was born at village Maschak in Sheikhupura (Pakistan) in 1939. He shifted to Jagraon along with his parents after the partition. He is M.A. in English and Honours in Punjabi. He retired some years ago from his school service as Lecturer in English. His wife Shrimati Mohinder Kaur (Kochhar) had also been in school service for long years and, like comrades-in-arms, has always been a source of inspiration to him.
He believes that the impact of art lies in truth and its vivid depiction. He takes recourse to images as images are carriers of concepts. Besides, it is imagery that makes a work of art artistic. There was an important phase in Kulwant Jagraon's life when he was under the influence of progressive writers. He wanted to change the scheme of things so as to usher in a better tomorrow. The big hiatus between the haves and the have-nots was an irritant to his thoughtful mind. He searched for the silver lining in the dark clouds that surrounded the lives of the common people. In his poem Nirna (Justice), he says-
Admitted, there is a dark storm raging outside
and the season is all the more cruel.
But nothing will be gained in any form
by remaining cooped up inside.
In his ghazlas, he bemoans separation from his beloved and longs for the day when she will reciprocate his love in full measure. At present he is restless like mercury and his tears are like dewdrops. It is difficult for him to conceal from others the pangs of his heart. He knows that no one will care to visit him, still he keeps the doors of his eyes open. This longing is not always personal as he wants her to join him in his crusade against poverty, ignorance and hypocrisy-
Let's remove thorns from our paths
let's decorate the earth withjlowers
No one would go astray at any stage
if his hunger is appeased without delay. Kulwant Jagraon is known for his message of love, peace and friendship across the world. He ridicules the attempts to strengthen the barricades, when the wall of Berlin has been dismantled after so many years. He knows that the countries have been demarcated in bold lines on the maps but the hearts need not entertain deep furrows of hatred on their surface. He is jubilant that there has recently been some thaw in the icy relationship between India and Pakistan.