Daily Times

Shiv Kumar Batalvi, a renowned Punjabi poet, author, playwright from East Punjab died very young on May 6, 1973 at the age of only 36.

His early death brings to mind Urdu poet Majaz who had also died young. At that time he was in Kiri Mangyal, Indian Punjab. Despite his multifarious talents, he is more known as a poet as he received appreciation both from young and old alike. His poetry is basically based on romanticism but it has elements of pathos, separation, lover’s agony and passion in it as well. He was born on July 23, 1936 in village called Bara Pind, Lohtian, Shakargarh Tehsil, Sialkot District, to Pandit Krishan Gopal, village tehsildar in the revenue department, and Shanti Devi, a housewife. Shiv Kumar Batalvi’s famous book is titled ‘Luna’. Before proceeding further, we shall list his books below:

• Piraan Da Paraga

• Mainu Vida Karo – This is another collection of songs full of symbols of death and pain of separation that he expressed in different forms, including the bemoaning of a love-torn girl addressed to her father in Dharmee Babula.

• Gazlan Te Geet

• Aarti

• Lajwanti

• Atte Dian Chirian

• Luna

• Main Te Main – It is a long narrative poem that is written in a very different style and on themes that Shiv had not fully explored before.

• Dardmandan Dian Aahin

• So

• Alvida

• Shiv Kumar: Sampuran Kav Sangreh; Lahore Book Shop, Ludhiana.

• Birha Da Sultan, Selected by Amrita Pritam, Sahitya Akademi, 1993. This book was published posthumously and contains poems that were not included in his previous books, and were either unpublished or were published in different newspapers and magazines.

One of Shiv’s poems is Rukh. Its translation by Suman Kashyap is given as hereunder:

Some trees look like sons to me

Some like mothers

Some are daughters, brides

A few like brothers

Some are like my grandfather

Sparsely leafed

Some like my grandmother

Who used to throw choori to the crows

Some trees are like the friends

I used to kiss and embrace

One is my beloved

Sweet. Painful

There are trees I would like

To throw on my shoulder playfully,

There are trees I would like

To kiss and then die

The trees sway together

When strong winds blow.

I wish I could render

Their verdant, leafy language

I wish that I could

Return as a tree

And if you wanted to listen to my song

I would sing it in the trees

These trees are like my mother

May their shade stay intact

• Luna, tr. by B.M. Bhatta, Sahitya Akademi, 2005, ISBN 81-260-1873-9.

• Chup Di Awaaz

• Asan Joban Rute Marna

Shiv Kumar Batalvi lived up to the title ‘Asan Joban Rute Marna’ of his last book mentioned above. He died young but he did not know that he would live because of his poetry. He attained more popularity after his demise and so much has been written on him and is available in the media. I have also made use of this information along with my own perception of this poet.

According to Wikipedia, In 1947, when he was aged 11, his family moved to Batala, Gurdaspur district after partition of India, where his father continued his work as a Patwari and young Shiv received his primary education. Right from his childhood he used to dream with a lost look on his face. He would often vanish without informing for most of the day. When searched he would be found lying under trees by the riverbank close to the Mandir outside the village, lost in a brown reverie. He appeared to have been fascinated by local renditions of the Hindu epic Ramayana, as well as wandering minstrel singers, snake charmers and the like. Most of these happenings are found as metaphors in his poetry, giving it a uniquely rural flavour.

Shiv could only qualify for his Matriculation Examination in 1953, from Punjab University. He did not complete further degrees though he joined many institutions subsequently. He got enrolled in the FSc program at Baring Union Christian College, Batala, and before completing his degree he moved to SN College, Qadian, where he joined the Arts program more suited to his personality. He left that too in the second year. Thereafter he joined a school at Baijnath, Himachal Pradesh to do a diploma in Civil Engineering. Here again he left it in the middle. Next he studied for some time at Government Ripudaman College, Nabha.

Darshan Singh Maini writes on January 11, 2004 equating Shiv to English poet John Keats. In India therefore Shiv Kumar Batalvi is popularly known as the ‘Keats of Punjabi poetry’. Critics say that John Keats devoted his short life to the perfection of poetry marked by vivid imagery, great sensuous appeal and an attempt to express a philosophy through classical legend. In 1818 John Keats went on a walking tour in the Lake District. His exposure and overexertion on that trip brought on the first symptoms of the tuberculosis, which ended his life. On the other hand Shiv Kumar Batalvi life span was just 36 years as compared to 24 years of John Keats. Shiv’s death was caused by as a ditched person by unfaithful beloved resulting in him getting addicted to alcohol. The poetry of his very first volume, Peeran da Paraga erupted into poetry of tragic love, and his fame soon took the young readers and audiences by storm. It is as if he had desired for such a fate resulting in his poetry becoming an organic expression. It’s typical of Batalvi to have adopted the female persona in rendering the anguish of his heart.

Daily do I drink

the fire of wai,

Daily do I turn my heart

into black and burnt coal

His book Luna is something of a cross between an epic and a poetic play in which he has used the ancient love story of Luna and her stepson, Puran, who in obedience to his own call of duties rejects her love, turning her into a woman of vengeful fury.

I’m, but a ball of fire, O mate

Bound hence to distant lands

One breast of mine burns like May

And the other smokes like June

Shiv Kumar Batalvi, thus, brings the poetry of sexual love initiated by other big names in Punjabi poetry like Mohan Singh and deepened by Amrita Pritam full circle.

The book that won Shiv Kumar Batalvi the Sahita Akademi Award, Luna is a play written in verse. In this play the king of Sialkot marries a young girl called Luna. She falls in love with the King’s son from his first marriage, Puran who is of her age. When Puran repels her advances, she falsely alleges mis-behaviour by him to the King. Pooran is harmed and thrown into a well as a punishment. A wise person rescues and treats him, and Puran turns into a wandering thrifty himself; a Bhagat. Years later, a childless Luna comes to visit the famous Bhagat. When she realizes his identity, she admits her mistake. Puran forgives her and his father, and a child is later born to Luna. That is how the legend of Puran Bhagat being told in Punjabis since centuries.

Shiv has deviated from this standard tale where Luna, a girl of lower cast married against her wishes is portrayed as a wicked and lustful character. He sides with her for being deprived of sexual satisfaction. He challenges the male dominated world to reconsider their standards of morality. His play therefore became a big question mark to society. Shiv’s play received Sahitiya Academy Award in 1967 for his epic verse play. Luna now is considered a masterpiece in modern Punjabi literature. It also created a new genre, of modern Punjabi Qissa. It is believed that today, his poetry stands in equal footing, amongst that by stalwarts of modern Punjabi poetry, like Mohan Singh and Amrita Pritam (poetess), all of whom are popular on both sides of Indo-Pakistan border.

Few anecdotes and stories of Shiv Kumar Batalvi:

1) Balwant Singh Gaargi has written some anecdotes in an article published in Shiv’s book ‘Shareenh Dei Phul’. Shiv used to ask Balwant to accompany him to various Mushairas. According to Balwant Shiv was a person with a big heart. Whatever he used to have in his pocket, he used to spend it on friends. He used to complain about the womenfolk that they were always unhappy. Since Shiv used to work in a bank, he used to say that one can put money or jewelry in a bank locker but a woman’s beauty cannot be saved in a bank locker. Traveling in a car with Shiv with roasted chicken and two bottles of beer and rupee thirty for Balwant was a pleasure. Once reroute to Chandigarh where he was to receive five hundred rupees, he dragged Balwant along in a taxi. Despite getting late for Mushaira, he searched for a friend’s house which he had forgotten but ultimately found and brought her along to Mushaira. The lady said that her husband was away for night duty and she had a small child to take care of. Shiv was insistent. The lady deposited the child to a neighbor and accompanied Shiv. Reaching they found that Mushaira was already half way through. Shiv however received roaring response for his poetry. He read his poem ‘Safar’ (journey). Before his turn Mohan Singh had read his poem explaining the evening in Talwandi. The overall impression was that of boredom. Shiv sang his poetry on softer tune but at climax his tone was that of a clairvoyant, said Balwant. The poem was:

‘Taqdeer Taan Saadi Saukan Si (luck was like my husband’s other wife)

Tadbeeraan Saathon Na Hoiyan (couldn’t plan things)

Na Jhang Chuteya Na Kan Paate (neither could I leave Jhang nor had my ears pierced)

Jhund Lung Geya Inj Heeraan Da (group of Heers (girls) passed by)

Nobody could create an impact after Shiv in the Mushaira. Out of rupees 500/- he received, 250/- were given to taxi and he was bold enough in handing over his female friend to her husband personally.

2) Shammi was Shiv’s friend of Chandigarh days. Once when Shiv and Shammi took a rickshaw, Shammi asked the rickshaw walla as to what was the famous thing in Chandigarh. He replied that Shiv Kumar Batalvi lived there. Shammi did not reveal that the other passenger was Shiv. This information is taken from the Site BollyWolly.com. Once in Chandigarh when both were on a rickshaw again, he stopped and asked rickshaw driver to give him a pen and paper. When told that it was late night and the stationary was not available, he wrote a full poem on a wall with charcoal and asked Shammi to copy it the following day as he would have forgotten what he wrote. Shiv’s sister Saroj Mehta informed that Shiv got her admitted in school as she was ten years younger to Shiv. When the family listened to Shiv’s poems on Radio, everybody cried. When adult she realized that her poems were on the sorrows of masses. That is why these poems appealed to the masses. The best poem was ‘Ajj Din Charheya Tere Rang Warga’ rendered by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Shiv Kumar Batalvi’s best work came out when he lived in Qadian. He produced some of his best work. His first anthology of poems was published in 1960, titled Piraan da Paraga (The Scarf of Sorrows), which met an instant success. Some senior writers of Batlavi, including Jaswant Singh Rahi, Kartar Singh Balgan and Barkat Ram Yumman, took him under their patronage. In 1965, he became the youngest recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award. In 1967, he received prize for his magnum opus, a verse play Luna (1965). His poetry recitations, and singing his own verse, made him and his works even more popular amongst the masses.

Marriage:

Soon after his marriage to Luna, a Brahman girl on February 05, 1967 from which he had two children namely Pooja and Mehrbaan (born 1968), he shifted to Chandigarh. He joined the State Bank of India, as Public Relations Officer. In the years that followed, bad health beleaguered him. Despite this impediment his writings continued relentlessly. He was in love with another girl named Maina whom he came across in Baijnath. When he went back to look for her in her hometown, he heard the news of her death. This incidence inspired him to write his elegy titled ‘Maina’. After this episode, many other unfulfilled love stories followed. These happenings served as measureable material to trickle down in his poems. He was fascinated for Gurbaksh Singh Preetlari’s daughter who left for the US and married someone else. When he heard of the birth of her first child, Shiv wrote ‘Main Ik Shikra Yaar Banaya’, perhaps his most famous love poem. This poem has been rendered by many established singers like Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali, Jagjeet Singh and Hans Raj Hans. The latter is inspired by Sultan Bahu’s standard tune of ‘Alif Allah Chambe Di Booti’ especially ‘Hoo’ element at the end of every verse. Jagjeet Singh’s treatment without rhythm and flute accompaniment is melodious, soothing and full of pathos. Maye Ni Maye, Main Ik Shikra Yaar Banaya.

Ohdey Sir Tei Kalghi Tei Ohde Pairan Jhanjar, O Chog Chugainda Aaya. Ik Ohde Roop Di Dhup Tikheri, Oh Dooja Mehkan Da Tirhaya

Teeja Ohda Rang Gulabi, Oh Kise Gori Maan Da Jaya.

Ishqe Da Ik Palang Navaari, Vei Assaan Chananian Vich Daya (I made a bed of love and laid it in moonlight), Tan Di Chadar Ho Gai Maili, Oss Pair Ja Palngae Paya.

Dukhan Mere Naina De Koye Tei Vich Harr Hanjua Da Aaya/

Saari Raat Gayi Vich Sochaan/Oss Aei Ki Zulam Kamaya.

Subah Sawere Leh Ni Vattnan Vei Assaan Mal Mal Oss Nawaaya/

Dehi Tei Vicho Nikalan Chindaa Ni Saada Hath Gaya Kumlaya.

Churi Kuttan Taan Oh Khaanda Nahi Vei Assaan Dil Da Mass Khwaya (prepared choorma but he does not eat, I gave him flesh of my heart). Ik Udaari Aisi Maari, Oh Murr Watni Na Aaya (He took such a take-off that he did not return home).

From the many books Shiv has written, I shall take sample from his book Shreenh Dei Phul (yellow flowers). Maqsood Saqib of Suchet Kitab Ghar, Lahore has published a selection of Shiv’s poetry in Shahmukhi. It has 25 poetry pieces by Shiv Kmar Batalvi. One of the poems is titled ‘Ghaman Di Raat Lammi Aei’ (the night of sorrow is long). He says the nights of sorrow are long, so are his poems. Second Para is about musical notes that create very cavernous impact. Nobody dared touch them. Neither are they become of Rains nor of dry season. Shiv continues ‘Mere Hadd Hi Awwale Nain’ (my bones are unique). ‘Jo Agg Laayaan Nahi Sarde’ (they do not burn when on fire), ‘Nahi Sarde Hokeyan Dei Naal’ (they do not even burn by my wailing). ‘Haawaan Naal Dhukde Nain’.

Balwant, Shiv’s friend writes that he went to meet Shiv after he returned from London after six months. In May 1972, Shiv visited England on the invitation of Dr. Gupal Puri and Mrs. Kailash Puri. He had welcomed this visit away from routine life in Chandigarh. A number of public functions and private parties were arranged in his honour where he recited his poetry. Dr. Gupal Puri arranged the first large function in Coventry, near London, to welcome Shiv. A large number of his fans and Punjabi poets, including Santokh Singh Dhir, Kuldip Takhar and Tarsem Purewal and many others attended this function. Another large gathering was organized at Rochester in his honour. It was reported that he drank a lot during his functions which proved detrimental to his health. On return he had shifted to a new house in sector 21. There were new sofas in the drawing room which he had brought from London. Deepak Manmohan, his fan was sitting there. A tall girl was cooking loaves in the kitchen. Affluence was visible in the house. Shiv’s cheeks were filled but overall a smoky complexion appeared on his face. Balwant wondered whether he looked healthy or sick! He seemed to have conquered UK and despite the girls he met there, he missed his wife and children. So, he returned to India. To Balwant his speech was without any flow. He did not remember and muttered that it was Saira Bano or Nasim Bano who had fallen for him but he wanted to return to his family. This situation showed his deteriorating mental and health. Many days thereafter he fell sick. He wrote many poems during this phase like ‘Kutte’, ‘Phansi’ or ‘Luchi Dharti’. His last poem invited wrath from his fellow poets. They called his thinking upside down. He used to retaliate that yes, he was upside down like the reflection of those who abused him. He had given up any hope for his life. Gradually he receded deep inside him as though he was ready to die. He was admitted in hospital. All his friends were busy in their lives. Nobody came to see him. He ran away from hospital. He left for Batala. He had gone with his family in a taxi. He stopped the car at the crossing with signals. He called aloud that he would never return to that city. Both cities had given him love. He returned these cities with his poems. He loved and then hated these cities depending upon his frame of mind. He was later shifted to the village of his in-laws, Kiri Mangial, a small village near the border with Pakistan. Shiv Kumar Batalvi died in Kiri Mangial during the early morning hours of 6th May 1973.

As per Wikipedia, one of his anthologies, Alvida was published posthumously in 1974, by the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. ‘Shiv Kumar Batalvi Award’ for Best Writer, is given each year. Shiv Kumar Batalvi Auditorium is constructed to commemorate 75th Birth anniversary of the eminent poet of Punjab in Batala. It is situated in Jalandhar Road, Batala which is a world-class auditorium to inspire generations to come in Punjab. Many of his poems were sung by Deedar Singh Pardesi. Jagjit Singh-Chitra Singh, and Surinder Kaur, has also sung many of his poems. Rabbi Shergill’s debut album Rabbi features his poem “Ishtihar”. Punjabi folk singer, Hans Raj Hans also did a popular album, ‘Gham’, on the poetry of Shiv Kumar. In 2005, a compilation album was released, titled, Ek Kuri Jida Naa Mohabbat – Shiv Kumar Batalvi, with numbers sung by Mahender Kapoor, Jagjit Singh and Asa Singh Mastana. In 2004, Punjabi play titled Dardaan Da Darya based on the life of Shiv Kumar was performed at ‘Punjab Kala Bhavan’, Chandigarh. Several of his poems have been adapted for movies, e.g. “Ajj Din Chhadeya Tere Rang Varga,” were adapted in 2009 Hindi movie Love Aaj Kal which became an instant hit. In 2012, Album titled “Panchee Ho Javan” based on a same-titled poem written by Shiv Kumar Batalvi was sung by Jasleen Royal,

In 2014, rap duo “Swet Shop Boys”, consisting of Indo-American Himanshu Suri, and British Pakistani Riz Ahmed, released a song entitled “Batalvi” which sampled Shiv Kumar Batalvi’s own recitation of “Ikk Kudi Jihda Naam Mohabbat Ghum Hai” from an interview done with Aikam TV in the early 1970s. The song’s lyrics explore issues regarding cultural identity faced by many second-generation south Asians living in the West. His poem “Ik Kuri Jihda Naam Mohabbat Ghum Hai” was made into a song featured in Urta Punjab. Featuring Alia Bhatt, it was sung by Shahid Mallya and later reprised by Diljit Dosanjh.

In 2016, Punjabi rapper Kay Kap’s album “Kaagaz” featured a song entitled Pind Bewafaayiyaan which was inspired and conceptualized from Shiv Kumar Batalvi’s poem “Ikk Kudi Jihda Naam Mohabbat Ghum Hai”. The song’s lyrics concluded from the lost girl named ‘Mohabbat’ belonging to the village named ‘Bewafaayiyaan’, thus, giving birth to a new theory based on Shiv Kumar’s poetry that forms a different set of consequences.

It is but natural that Shiv’s sharp rise to popularity caused jealousy among his fraternity. Some criticism was genuine and some, not. Whatever his critics said, he gave modern treatment to traditional poetry. Some labeled him as poet of Birha. Some said that his poetry was non-scientific and confused. Chandan, Int. 2002 said he has become famous on the basis of just a few of his poems. He has copied the lyricism and diction of Harbhajan Singh. However nobody could deprive him of his immense popularity he enjoyed. Instead of looking towards West, Shiv dug out genesis in following the centuries old traditions of classical Punjabi poetry. Not in its purpose, content or message, especially of Sufi and religious poetry, but in skillfully adopting the diction, vocabulary, symbolism and many of its other important aspects. Site ‘a readers’ word’ observes that the language used by Shiv is notable for its idiomatic use of small-town Punjabi. He also uses words of Persian origin, a trend that has been discouraged over the years. It is like Hindi tends to borrow heavily from Sanskrit rather than Persian and Arabic. Sikh symbols are strikingly missing even as he brings the usage of urban Hindu rituals and symbols in his characteristic poetry. At times he can be terribly Wagnerian- effusively dark and deeply somber. In his different interviews he has refuted that his romantic poetry originated from any particular love, betrayals or depression as he was lucky to get lot of love from the opposite sex. He could not complete the picture of his beloved in his mind. He also refuted him being equated with Keats, Shelley or Shah Hussain. He was content with being Shiv. Shiv said ‘Ajj Din Charheya Tere Rang Varga’ but sun had set too early in his life.

The writer is the recipient of the prestigious Pride of Performance award. He can be reached at doc_amjad@hotmail.com