“Ki puchh de ho haal fakiraan da
Sada nadiyo vichde neha da”
Many of us have come across these beautiful lines, rich in emotion, but not everyone knows the poet who penned them.
“Maenu vida karo Raam,
Maenu vida karo”
Many may recognize as a famous Bollywood song, not noticing its depth and originality.
Shiv Kumar Batalvi an iconic figure in Punjabi literature, known as ‘Keats of Punjab’ and ‘Birha Da Sultan’ was a famous versatile Punjabi poet, writer, and playwriter. He gained recognition for his romantic poetry, emotional depth, separation themes, and sufferings encountered in love. Born on July 23, 1936, in undivided Punjab to Punjabi Hindu Brahmin parents. His father Pandit Krishna Kumar Sharma was a village tehsildar in the revenue department, while his mother Shanti Devi was a homemaker. After the partition of India in 1947, Batalvi’s family moved to Batala, Gurdaspur district. His life was magic woven of rich cultural influences and personal encounters, which crafted his literary voice.
“Jaach mainu aa gayi gham khaan di
Holi holi ro ke jee parchaan di
Changa hoya toon paraya ho gayon
Mukk gayi chinta tainu apnaan di”
Batalvi grew up in a rural Punjabi setting, deeply influenced by the traditional folklore of his homeland left a lasting impression on him. Exposure to Punjabi Folk songs and the culture of storytelling developed into a love for language and self-expression, which he further groomed while getting an education at Khalsa College, Amritsar, where he dived deep into classical literature and nurtured his inclination toward creativity.
Batalvi’s poetry debut, “Piran Da Paraga” was published in 1960, and became a massive success. He composed the Punjabi epic verse play “Loon” (1965), regarded as a modern masterpiece in Punjabi literature and based on the age-old tale of Puran Bhagat. For this remarkable work, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award, becoming the youngest person recipient to earn it in history, establishing him as a celebrated poet of his era. This magnificent work also paved the way for a new genre known as modern Punjabi Kissa. His other notable works include “Dhooan” (1968) and “Mainu Vidda Kar” (1971).
His literary work has been widely translated, allowing people worldwide to savor it. His poetry is considered on par with prominent figures in modern Punjabi poetry, namely, Mohan Singh and Amrita Pritam, who enjoy fame on both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border.
“Jee chaahe panchi ho jaavan
Uhdda jaavaan, gaaonda jaavan
An-chuh sikharaan nu choo paavaan
Is duniya diyaan raahvaan bhul ke
Fer kade na vaapas aavaan”
Batalvi’s poetry collection is celebrated for its emotional depth and magical lyrical quality. He penned down multitudes of poems on human relationship themes, capturing the essence of love and the sorrows of heartbreak. His enchanting verses create an atmosphere of nostalgia, often reflecting the brief nature of life and enduring memories. Among his work “Lai Kadh Naa”, a collection, stands out for its thoughtful exploration into the challenges of love and complexities.
The exceptional blending of personal feelings with the universe’s themes is one of his poetry’s hallmarks. He masterly captured romantic love, heartache, and longing to connect. His work no matter what the background of the reader is resonates well, his words know no cultural boundaries and tap into the shared human experiences.
“Birha birha aakhiye
Birha toon sultan
Jis tann birha na upje
So tann jaan masaan”
The poetry of Batalvi delves into the themes of love and loss, which are drawn heavily from his life experiences. The turmoil of his relationships significantly influenced much of his literary work, filling his expressions of romantic distress with originality. In his poem ‘Bulla ki Jaana Main Kaun’ he searches for self-identity amidst the chaos of life. Chasing understanding and genuine connection is still his poetry’s compelling core theme. Moreover, Batalvi’s mastery in beautifully connecting the traditional folklore of vibrant Punjab has added timelessness to his work. Using metaphors and visualization from the natural world creates vivid landscapes that reflect the emotions possessed by the characters. His expertise in presenting the essence of rural life is infused with intense feelings, enhancing its impact. Even today his literary compositions remain the source of inspiration to new generations of writers and poems.
Shiv Kumar Batalvi’s impactful work transcends far beyond literary boundaries, his legacy markedly influenced is not just confined to Punjabi music and cinema but also echoes within the Bollywood film industry. His numerous popular verses and poems have been adapted into soulful songs by renowned singers like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Gulam Ali, Jagjit Singh, and Rabbi Shergill. Not only this, plays written by him were staged in various Punjabi theaters, helping to elevate the art form and infuse it with poetic language. His works often highlighted social issues, making them relevant to the audience of his time. He was blessed with the talent to express complex emotions using simple yet profound language, making his writings a key element of Punjabi cultural expressions.
“Ajj kismat mere geeta di
Hai kis manzil te aun khadi
Jad geeta de ghar nehra hai
Te bahar meri dhupp chaddi”
In 1967, Batalvi married Aruna and had two children, Meharban and Puja. However, his health issues and financial struggles cut his life short, and he died on May 6, 1973, at the young age of 36. He even expressed his frustration over the undue criticism of his poetry both from progressive and rightist writers. His legacy continues to live on in the hearts of his audience, as fans recite and celebrate his poems at cultural gatherings, literature festivals, and academic discussions. The incorporation of themes like love, nature, and the experiences of humans compel readers to reflect on their feelings and episodes, helping them connect more deeply with his writings.
Shiv Kumar Batalvi is an important figure in Punjabi literature. He was a poet who expressed human emotions clearly and deeply. His poems share personal stories that connect to universal themes, making them relatable across generations. As readers delve more into his compositions, they uncover the power of words to evoke emotions, heal, and forge connections along our shared human journey.
“Gama di raat lambi ae
Ja mere geet lambe ne
Na peidi raat mukdi hai
Na mere geet mukde ne”