Sundri –The First Novel by Bhai Vir Singh

‘Sundri’ came out in the year 1898 narrated and authored by Bhai Vir Singh who was himself known as a colossus of modern Punjabi Literature to help in reiterating and restoring the Sikh culture. Sundri was the first book authored by the man of principles, Padam Bhushan Bhai Vir Singhji which is based on a popular folk song and set in a time when the Sikhs were the witness and prey to the atrocities committed by the Nawabs to fulfill their selfish ends. They practiced annihilation of Sikhs and were lustful and tyrannical.

Sundri is more of a didactic approach with a purpose to remind every person who belongs to the Sikh religion, the fine points of Sikhism and its teachings and principles that are so rich spiritually and vivid. It inculcates in the young minds of how a Sikh blood is so aware of his rights and uses his sword to end any sort of tyranny and barbarism of any system that tries to rule unfairly, suppresses the innocent, go to all unacceptable measures prove his powers and strength.

Sundri taught that no individual of the Sikh community will ever stand, losing his self respect in the hands of any order which oppresses you and make you accept their terms. Any person of the Sikh religion has an immense belief in the teachings of his Guru and does what is told by his religious mentor. Even when he struggles and fights, a sense of Charity prevails within him. This sense of charity is shown to fellow people with similar beliefs, relatives of the oppressor and even to the oppressor. This is what his religion has taught him.

Sundri symbolically represents an era very difficult for the girls belonging to the Sikh community as they were abducted by the Nawabs and forced to persecution in the hands of the tyrannical rulers. Sundri was earlier addressed by the name Surasti and was subject to the atrocities committed by a Mughal official and was abducted. She later earned great respect from the Sikh community members, also known as ‘Jatha’ in Punjabi when she was baptized.

Authored by Bhai Vir Singhji it was an effort to awaken the masses with the story of Sundri and her transformation into a fighter for her rights and religion. Bhai Vir Singh, surcharged with the spirit to redeem the long forgotten glory, denied and not known by many, made use of his knowledge to write voluminous literature of didactic nature. He imbibed in minds, the practical aspect of Sikh religion. Sundri is about the struggle and awakening of a girl to fight for her rights and inculcate universal brotherhood in the minds of other people of common faith.

Book Details | sikh books-philosophy-guru granth sahib-sikhbookclub.com | Page 1730

Dhuppan Ate Va Varolian Da Ghosna Pattar – Punjabi

Dalip Singh has continued his legacy of portraying village culture with this Punjabi novel ‘Dhuppan ate Va Varolian Da Ghosna Pattar.’ Set in late 60’s, the novel starts with a village named ‘Husainpur.’ Written in first person, the early chapters deal with the life and times of the narrator and his friends at school. It also leads us to a phase when child marriage was very prevalent especially in ‘backward classes.’ The story which is divided in fifty one good chapters, in later parts, takes the narrative view of ‘Chandigarh City’ where our protagonist finds job and seeks to adjust in the hustle and bustle of urban life. In the end, after working for almost two years, he loses his job and returns to his village where his parents, only son and wife reside. He attempts to adjust among other villagers but only to return ‘Chandigarh.’

Initially titled ‘Hadd Beetiyan’ by the author, and renamed ‘Meri Jeewan Kahani’ by the publishers, this book contains within its pages the autobiography of the illustrious life of one of the most loved Punjabi author of 20th century, Prof Sahib Singh. Interpreter, historian, theologian, linguist, there were many robes adorned by Prof Singh in his life as a widely read writer.

He had started writing, what later became the first part of this book, in 1923 as notes of his memories. But the real push towards publishing his life story came in 1964 by the editor of a newspaper ‘Vartamaan’, who wanted to publish his life stories in the form of newspaper columns. Prof Sahib Singh managed to pen most of his inspirational life just before Parkinson’s snatched away his ability to write and from him towards the end of his life. Savor it at www.sikhbookclub.com