By Dr Amrik Singh

South Asia Post, Issue 48 Vol II, September 30, 2007

IS Punjabi language and culture coming of age in North America?  From the glut of Punjabi magazines, more in Gurmukhi script than in Shahmukhi and number of literary, social and religious organisations and Internet sites, one could jump to the conclusion that Punjab counts. Also, the number of legislators and councilors could lend credence to this impression. At least two Punjab [India and Pakistan] born scientists from the two Punjabs have won Noble prizes. Yet as discussions at the 13th Punjabi American Literature Conference reveals much more needs to be done.

This conference organized by Punjabi Sahit Sabha California (Regd.) was attended by about 300 Punjabi writers and literature lovers from different parts of the world. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Jaspal Singh, Associate Editor of the South Asia Post from Chandigarh [India]. Dr. Baldev Singh Dhaliwal of Punjabi University Patiala and Dr. Pushvinder Kaur from In-service Training Center Patiala presented papers on Punjabi American literature.

Dr Jaspal Singh challenged Punjabi writers to carve a niche for themselves in the mainstream American Ethnic literature. He raised fundamental questions as to why a representative text of Punjabis’ destiny, dreams, hopes and aspirations could not emerge from their collective experience. He illustrated the problem by citing the example of European literature in different languages.

When a literary text in a particular language appears, the translated version in English also becomes available within a few months. Punjabi litterateurs need to concentrate on how to reach a larger audience in the country of their adoption.

Continuing in the same strain, Dr. Jaspal made an appeal for making Punjabi Literature a part of American ethnic studies. It is time for a serious thought why Punjabi literature holds no place in American comparative literature and how such goals can be reached.  He further emphasized that Punjabi litterateurs have to come out of their mental ghettos so that they could participate in a powerful manner in the mainstream American literature, media and social cultural discourse.

The Punjabi Diaspora has to give up its tendency of plowing their lonely furrow. They need to get rid of their tribal psyche so as to establish their unique identity at the global level. It appears that Professors of Punjabi origin in American Universities could do more than anyone else, but unfortunately they are completely isolated from the Punjabi community in general. Instead of taking care of the interest of their community, culture, and institutions, they take America as their exclusive intellectual colony so that they can keep on perpetuating their intellectual hegemony over the ordinary Punjabi community. Dr. Jaspal Singh said that they usually behave like autocrats sitting in their ivory towers. In ordinary language they can be termed as academic Czars. To establish a distinct Punjabi identity in America which can become part of the overall American cultural discourse is a very serious problem. The Punjabi American intellectuals are sitting on the fence staring in the meaningless vacuum.

Dr. Baldev Dhaliwal highlighted the contribution of Punjabi writers in the field of American short stories. He substantiated his views by giving appropriate examples from several stories which had an overwhelming response from the audience. The problem outlined by Dr. Jaspal Singh at the theoretical and ideological levels was carried forward by Dr Dhaliwal at the pragmatic levels presenting as an interesting discourse on Punjabi American literature. The audience responded to the intellectual propositions put forward by the scholar.

Dr Pushvinder Kaur dwelled on her personal experiences with American Punjabi literary figures and was able to establish an emotional bondage with the audience.  Consequently, this seminar proved to be a challenge for the Punjabi audience at the ideological, pragmatic, and emotional levels. It seems that now time has come when Punjabi Americans have to deal with these problems as their futuristic projects so that their place is reserved in the overall socio-cultural discourse of America.

Piara Singh Kudowal spoke on Rabinder Atwal’s novel “Do Desh Ik Kahani.”  He summarized the novel in a few minutes and termed it as a great achievement in Punjabi American literature.  Siast Jammu presented a paper on Punjabi American stories.

The first session of this conference was devoted to story reading in which Harjinder Pandher and Ratheshwar Singh presented their unpublished stories. Jaswant Happowalia conducted the stage both for Story Reading and Poetry Recitation.  Kamal Banga Vice President of Punjabi Sahit Sabha collaborated with Manjit Kaur Sekhon to conduct the ceremonies. In the beginning of the conference participants paid homage to departed Punjabi scholars and literary figures like S Bhagwant Singh Azad, Narinder Bhullar, Dalbir Singh and Lal Singh Dil whose demise has left a serious vacuum in Punjabi literary world. Mr. Baldev Singh son of  Bhagwant Singh Azad came to the stage to receive the honor that was originally planned for his father. The stage for this session was conducted by Manjit Kaur Sekhon in a very successful way. The second session as has been stated above was held in the memory of Jamal Hoshiarpuri and its main theme was “Postmodernism and Diasporic Punjabi Literature.” Following this, Dr Amrik Singh President of Punjabi Sahit Sabha California congratulated the audience in general and the representatives of different cultural and literary institutions in particular for participating in a big way.  Dr. Amrik Singh told the audience about the special message sent by veteran poet Gurcharn Rampuri from Canada about Dr. Jamal Hoshiarpuri’s contribution. Dr. Hoshiarpuri’s daughter Dr. Tehseen took keen interest in the entire proceedings of the conference. Dr. Amrik Singh also spoke about good wishes sent by veteran journalist Surjan Zirvi from Toronto and former bureau chief of The Tribune and now the editor of South Asia Post Mr. Gobind Thukral for the success of the conference. He congratulated the organizers for inviting distinguished scholars for the occasion. Mr. Jasjeet Singh Board of Directors Amritsar Times and Mr. Daljit Sra , Chief Editor of Amritsar Times and Editor of World Sikh News Mr. Ajmer Singh participated .  Mr. Prem Kumar Chumber Editor of Ambedkar Times congratulated the organizers for inviting scholars of caliber. Among the journalists Mr. Kuldeep Dhaliwal, Mr. Husan Laroya of Ajit Group and Prem Kumar Chumber were honored for their contribution to Punjabi journalism.

Dr. Onkar Bindra an Almuni of UC Berkeley and a former professor of Punjab Agriculture University was honored for invaluable services for the cause of Punjabi community. New members who joined the Punjabi Sahit Sabha were also welcomed such as Gurbachan Singh Bhatia, Tatinder Kaur, Jyoti Singh and Gurpal Singh Khaira. Gurpal Singh Khaira could not be present due to accident he got involved in a day before the conference. Dr. Harbhajan Singh Shergill remained present throughout the session and extended all kind of help for the conference.

The third session was devoted to poetry recitation in which over 30 well known poets took part. This session was inaugurated by Azad Jalndhari a reputed poet. S. Panchhi. Bhupinder Daler, Surjit Kaur and Gurcharn Badhan jointly presided over this session. Tara Singh Sagar President of the Bay Area Unit, Neelam Saini, Ishar Singh Moman, Azad Jalndhari, Santokh Gill, Jyoti Singh, Harbans Singh Jagiyasu, Mohinder Singh Ghag, Dr. Harbhajan Shergill, Harjinder Pandher, Sukhvinder Kamboj, Kulvinder,Surinder Seerat, Major Bhupinder Daler, Jagjit Naushahirvi, Harbhajan Dhillon, Charnjit Singh Pannu, Mrs. Mr. Amrjit Dardi, Abhitav Saini, Siast Jammu, Rathi Surapuri, Gurcharn Jakhmi, Rajinder Sahota, Ravinder Atwal, Simran Kaur Dhillon, Bupinder Singh, Amanjit, Surinder Kaur, Aabneet Kaur, Inayat and Bableen, Sardara Singh Kalotia, Gurbachan Singh Bhatia, Darshan Natt, Jainder Singh Gill, Sukhdev Gill, Jagdish Gill, Raman Gill, Kamal Judge, Surinder Judge, Tatinder Kaur, Manjit Singh, M.A. Varinder Sekhon, Manjit Sekhon, Karmvir Sekhon, Fresno Unit was represented by Gurpreet Dhaliwal, Jagmit Singh Gill, Iqbal Singh, Dr. Pargat Singh, Kewal Bolina, Charn Judge, Lachhman Singh Rathor, Shinder Singh Australia, Parmjit Singh Randhawa, Piara Singh Kudowal, Resham Singh Sidhu, Jaswinder, Surinder Bindra, Jarnail Singh Sarpanch, Parmjit Bhuta, Palvinder Kaur, Sonia, Jeevan Rattu Shinger, Rattu Shinger, Madan Sharma Trustee Lakashmni Narain Temple, Joginder Singh Subedar participated in the session.

Sacramento City College Punjabi students at its UC Davis Campus attended conference on 9th September 2007. They took keen interest in the proceedings of the conference and interacted with participants.