Sadhu Singh Hamdard

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Sadhu Singh Hamdard
Born	1918 Paddi Math Wali, Banga, India
Died	27 July 1984(1984-07-27) (aged 66) Jalandhar, India
Occupation	Poet

Sadhu Singh Hamdard (1918–1984) was an

and an innovative poet, who carried in his name the pseudonym 'Hamdard', "sharing with all the pangs of their hearts," "friendly towards all."

Early life as freedom fighter

As a high school student, he was active in Chaudhri Sher Jang's group of the radicals in the Yug Paltai Dal, party to impart a radical turn to the age. The Dal was formed in 1939-40 by Giani Harbans Singh of Sarhala Khurd in Hoshiarpur district. The Dal ceased to exist after the arrest and execution of its founder Harbans Singh, Sadhu Singh then joined the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee taking over its publicity wing.

As a journalist and Chief Editor of Ajit

In 1944, Sadhu Singh entered the field of

(Urdu) and retained this position till 1957. In 1955, he also became chief editor of the Punjabi Ajit. The birth of the Ajit was an entirely new phenomenon in Punjabi journalism. It marked a new era of change and experimentation. In Sadhu Singh's hands, Punjabi journalism matured and reached new heights. The Ajit and Sadhu Singh Hamdard became synonymous names, he had so lovingly nursed the paper. Sadhu Singh set its permanent seal on Punjabi journalism. He created a new taste in Punjabi writing and introduced several new techniques. His services to Punjabi journalism, to what he did to give it a new face and format, were widely acknowledged.

Awards

In 1963, the Punjab Government honoured him with the title of Shiromani Pattarkar (the journalist of the year). He was chairman of the reception committee of All India Newspapers Editors Conference held at Jalandhar in 1973. He also edited two monthly magazines Tasvir and Drishtl.

Within his lifetime, Sadhu Singh converted all his property and assets into a public trust for the advancement of Punjabi culture and letters.

Dr Sadhu Singh Hamdard was also awarded the title of

on 29 July 1984.

Poet

As a poet, Sadhu Hamdard is especially remembered for popularising the

Sikh

history as well as some short stories.

Conferring of Ph.D

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, awarded him the Ph.D. degree for his thesis on "Origin and Development of the Punjabi Ghazal." He was a fellow of that University and member of its Syndicate. He was also a member of the Advisory Committee of the Languages Department and Press Advisory Committee of the Punjab Government, and of the Indian Academy of Letters (1973–1978). He was also president of the Kendri Punjabi Lekhak Sabha during 1972-79 and founder-president of Bazm-I-Adab (Urdu).

References

1. The Ajit, Punjabi, Jalandhar, 29 July 1995.

2. Suba Singh, Punjabi Pattarkari da Itihas, Chandigarh, 1978.