Founded in 1973 in Metro Vancouver, Punjabi Lekhak Manch has benefitted hundreds of Punjabi poets, novelists, short story writers, scholars, historians, memoir writers and artists both locally and internationally. The Manch meetings are held each month at Newton Public Library in Surrey with readings and discussions by local and visiting authors.
The following information is based on the Manch’s Facebook posts:
– The first anthology of Punjabi poetry titled ‘Punjabi Poetry in Canada’ was published in 1980. Edited by the Punjabi Literary Association, it featured works of 27 Canadian poets, and it was published by Kulbir Suri of Nanak Singh Book Mala.
– In 1987, Punjabi lekhak Manch organized its first Canada-level Punjabi literary conference. The three day conference featured nine literary papers, various discussions and other literary activities that were later presented in a 300-page book by Ontario publisher Third Eye. Hundreds of books and several historical items were on display, the walls of the conference hall were decorated with various paintings and images of famous Punjabi writers and scholars. Video recordings of the conference are now available on YouTube. Links to videos
– The authors associated with Punjabi Lekhak Manch have published over 400 titles in Punjabi. In addition, some have published books in English and Hindi, and many books have been converted to Shahmukhi Punjabi.
– About a dozen members have written over 55 novels including Giani Kesar Singh Novelist, Jarnail Singh Sekha, Nadeem Parmar, Nachhattar Brar, Nachattar Gill, Amarjit Chahal, Sadhu, Rajwant Raj, Harpreet Sekha, Bakhsinder, Sushil Kaur, Fauzia Rafique, and Amarjit Sufi.
– More than 200 poetry collections have been published by the members beginning from Gurcharan Rampuri’s book ‘Anni Gali’ in 1972. The poets associated with the forum are Ajmer Rode, Aman C. Singh, Amarjit Shant, Amarjit Sufi, Indresh Mehanti, Inderjit Singh Dhami, Inderjit Kaur Sidhu, Sadhu Binning, Surjeet Kalsey, Surinder Dhanjal, Surinderpal Kaur Brar, Sushil Kaur, Harsharan Kaur, Harchand Singh Bagri, Harjit Daudhariya, Hari Singh Tatla, Krishna Bhanot, Gurcharan Rampuri, Gurdarshan Badal, Gill Moran Mann, Jasveer Mahal, Jagjit Sandhu, Tandeep Tamanna, Darshan Gill, Davinder Punia, Nadeem Parmar, Narinder Bahia, Parminder Swachh, Balbir Singh Sangha, Bindu Dalvir Kaur Matharu, Manga Bassi, Mahinder Soomal, Mahinderpal Singh Pal, Mohan Gill, Narinjan Singh Mann, Rajwant Kaur Mann, Rajwant Raj, and Rupinder Kaur Khaira.
Support Punjabi Lekhak Manch by participating in the 3-day gojden jubilee celebrations happening in Surrey on September 22-23-24, 2023.
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