Surjit Patar leaves an indelible mark on the literary landscape of Punjab and beyond. His poetic masterpieces, including ‘Hawa Vich Likhe Harf’, ‘Lafzaan Di Dargah’, and ‘Patjhar Di Pazeb’, have resonated deeply with readers for decades. Patar’s contributions to Punjabi literature and education were recognized with prestigious awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, Panchnad Puruskar, Saraswati Samman, and the Kusumagraj Literary Award.
As president of the Punjab Arts Council and former president of the Punjabi Sahit Akademi, Patar played a pivotal role in promoting Punjabi language and culture. His translations of Federico Garcia Lorca, Girish Karnad, Bertolt Brecht, and Pablo Neruda into Punjabi enriched the literary landscape of the region.
Patar’s passing has been met with a collective sense of loss in the Punjabi community and beyond. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann described it as a “significant loss for the Punjabi literary world,” while Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring called it an “irreparable loss for Punjabi literature.” Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed his heartfelt condolences, stating that Patar’s death has left a void in the literary world.
Surjit Patar’s legacy as a poet, translator, and cultural icon will continue to inspire future generations. His words, which captured the essence of the Punjabi spirit and the human experience, will forever remain etched in the hearts and minds of those who loved his work.
