Punjabi Literature

Punjabi literature refers to the literature written in the Punjabi language of the Punjab region (both India and Pakistan), derived from the Gurmukhi script. Punjabi literature has been beautifully written on various religious, political and historical topics; it consists of many stories, poems and proverbs. It has beautifully inculcated Sikhism and Sufism and summarised the history in a very mesmerising way. 

Foundation and Father of Punjabi Literature

Fariduddin ganjshakar is called “the father of Punjabi literature”. He had written poems on Sufism, about the religion and practices, and how Sufism should be practised in the general public; these literary works were included in the “ADI GRANTH” after his death. He was given the Baba title and was called “baba Farid”. His shrine is still there in the Multan region. He was a Sunni Muslim and preached his religion, which led him to deliver or preach his religion in from of literature, in verses, in a creative way to the public. Due to him, this folk language was then used for literature by the region’s writers. This vernacular literature then developed a lot.

Guru Nanak and his role in Punjabi literature

The janamsakhis, which are the legends of Guru Nanak’s life, were written in prose, and he also preached in a mixture of Punjabi, Khari Boli and Awadhi in the form of verses. 

The Mughal Period

During the Mughal times, the poets used to write verses composed in “Kafi”, just like the Persians had patronised ghazals to express emotions.

Saint Bulleh Shah, Ali Haider, Shah Hussain, etc., have been known to develop verses about society and life lessons. These were widely publicised, as the local folks could easily understand this vernacular literature. 

Later on, various forms of prose and poems were included, including fictional, romantic, and political genres. The genre “qissa”, widely based on romantic tragedy, became famous as it was a new way of entertainment for the public.

This became so widespread and acceptable by the public that qissa written in the 18th century of “heer-ranjha” is still one of the most famous literature in India. 

Qissas like sohni-mahiwal and mirza-Sahiba were written on the essence of love, separation, purity of love, and other emotional aspects; not only got published by local patrons, but its translations were patronised amongst other regions of India.

It became so famous that these love stories became equivalent to what love meant.

Writers like Waris shah( writer of heer-ranjha), Fazal shah( writer of sohni mahiwal) and hafiz barkhurdar (writer of mirza Sahiba) became famous and are still read by the patrons. 

The Sikhs:

In Sikhism, this literature developed a lot for religious verses. As ballads, the Nihang Singhs and Khalsa were remembered and motivated by these ballads, called “vaar” ; the local historians also wrote the war chronicles as prose.

These were one of the symbols of pride for the people of those regions. Ballads were written in praise of their brave kings and soldiers. 

Modern Era

During modern times the British Punjab region took a major step. It was no longer a vernacular language limited to a few people. It became a well-recognised language, and even a Punjabi printing press was made. The media form of literature was then established.

Many writers of the region even wrote novels on the political situation and atrocities of the British raj.

Punjabi literature beautifully gave the famous historical romance novel written by Vir Singh, and other writers wrote novels like Sundari, Satwant Kaur, etc. The rise of the Punjabi music industry is somewhat also related to the local poems of Punjab; Punjabi poetries which were widely sung in the regions like “tappe”, became famous all over the nation. These local poetries and folk songs were patronised and later became globally patronised. 

Conclusion

Punjabi literature came into existence because of Fariduddin ganjshakar, which later developed. It inculcated religious literature, as well as literally on the society and societal reforms. Various writers wrote prose and poetry on life lessons and philosophy, which became famous among locals. Later on, literature was written on chronicles of history depicting the pride of the region’s people. Today Punjabi literature is one of the major literary genres in India, which includes beautiful, widely patronised folk songs and poems to chronicles of the past.