Dhuppan Ate Va Varolian Da Ghosna Pattar – Punjabi

Dalip Singh has continued his legacy of portraying village culture with this Punjabi novel ‘Dhuppan ate Va Varolian Da Ghosna Pattar.’ Set in late 60’s, the novel starts with a village named ‘Husainpur.’ Written in first person, the early chapters deal with the life and times of the narrator and his friends at school. It also leads us to a phase when child marriage was very prevalent especially in ‘backward classes.’ The story which is divided in fifty one good chapters, in later parts, takes the narrative view of ‘Chandigarh City’ where our protagonist finds job and seeks to adjust in the hustle and bustle of urban life. In the end, after working for almost two years, he loses his job and returns to his village where his parents, only son and wife reside. He attempts to adjust among other villagers but only to return ‘Chandigarh.’

Initially titled ‘Hadd Beetiyan’ by the author, and renamed ‘Meri Jeewan Kahani’ by the publishers, this book contains within its pages the autobiography of the illustrious life of one of the most loved Punjabi author of 20th century, Prof Sahib Singh. Interpreter, historian, theologian, linguist, there were many robes adorned by Prof Singh in his life as a widely read writer.

He had started writing, what later became the first part of this book, in 1923 as notes of his memories. But the real push towards publishing his life story came in 1964 by the editor of a newspaper ‘Vartamaan’, who wanted to publish his life stories in the form of newspaper columns. Prof Sahib Singh managed to pen most of his inspirational life just before Parkinson’s snatched away his ability to write and from him towards the end of his life. Savor it at www.sikhbookclub.com