Book Reviews and Comments
Hon`ble Gurbax Singh Malhi, M.P., Federal Parliament, Canada (Speaking at the Book Release ceremony of Punjabi Writers' Guild, Toronto on Nov. 24, 1997) It is great pleasure to congratulate you on release of your most remarkable book, Muklawa and Other Stories.... By so richly illustrating in word the many challenges facing the members of the Indian community as they strive to adjust to the Canadian life-style, you have indeed done us all a great service.... One of your characters, named Karam Singh, for instance, is some one who speaks for many Indo-Canadian men. Various example of cultural shocks, which he endures as his children grow up in Canada, no doubt, resonate in the kitchen and living-grooms of many India home here in America.... I am not surprised by the considerable acclaim your writing has earned to date, since you have clearly produced a readable and engaging collection of fictions.
Dr. Amarjit Singh, a proficient Punjabi short-story writer based in Toronto, Canada. He has so far three books to his credit. (Paper read at the Book release ceremony of the Punjabi Writers' Guild on Nov. 24,1997) My teenager son has read this book. He expressed his thought in the following few lines: "Muklawa was the first book that I have ever read by a Punjabi author. For me, these stories did one very important thing. They confirmed my belief that Punjabi culture does in fact exceed the boundaries of the Punjabi language. This is important because in order for those not as well educated in the Punjabi language, such as myself, books like this, produced by Punjabis in English... may be the only way for members of my generation to learn about their culture. One story I found particularly interesting is the story entitled "Divorce." I like this most because its ending was somewhat optimistic while remaining realistic.... I found it interesting because the story argued against my personal viewp! oint on the issue of inter-religious and inter-racial marriages.... This book is also a good example of the writing style of India authors compared to that of most North American authors. The stories are focused more on description and emotion that action and events.
Pritam Singh Dhanjal, A very well known and popular Punjabi poet based in Toronto. He has five books to his credit. He can be reached at his Website < (Paper read at the Book release ceremony of the Punjabi Writers' Guild on Nov. 24,1997) "...I like the front cover of the book for its `Reverse-action'.... Muklawa is a Punjabi word.... In India, even though their script is Gurmukhi, the books are published with English Names such as `Defence Line', Computer Culture' etc. in Punjabi Script). But, here we have book in English and its Title is a Punjabi word.... whether he lives a hundred miles from his home or thousands of miles away, he observes the life style of that place and in a very simple and obvious way, compares it with his own culture.... (About the girls living in the beautiful area of Himalayas) he says, `They were extremely emancipated and to some extent, even, surpassed the Western norm of freedom'.... He writes how Punjabi striving to go to the distant Western Lands opt to legal and illegal means... when they are there... cultural shocks and hardships in the new lands.... I enjoyed Pritpal's use of historical facts and real-life places and situations... which envisions the environment.... Divorce, Escape and Shudhi are excellent stories where the reader finds Pritpal's immense knowledge of major religions of the world.... In Exile and Offensive he thoroughly plots to uncover the suppression of Minorities.... Punjabi men and women both use lightly abusive language in their every day lives. Pritpal has revealed this his character whenever it was appropriate.... On the back cover, Pritpal looks mature and rather older person, but he is very much young-at-heart in his stories Muklawa and Distress...."
Weekly Indo-Cana! dian Voice, Toronto dt. Nov. 4, 1997 ".... The public often finds it hard to believe that a writer's imagination can create characters out of this air. Bindra has written extensively on Sikh Religion.... The book of short stories is his first attempt at fiction.... `I like it here (Missasauga, Toronto) (but) `the stories I particularly like, in fact, were written when I was... in France (where) his daughter lives.... Of course, Mississauga cannot compete with the `original' land of romance and inspiration. `Most of the people mentioned in my stories are still alive,' says the author.... The reason why he writes in English, `... People like me wrote stories in English because the young generation is not bilingual. Most of them didn't get a chance to learn Hind or Punjabi. At least, the stories in English might create some interest among them about the land and culture we left behind.'"
Capt. Dr. Mohinder Singh, Writer and Literary Critic, Patiala, Punjab, India. (Published in Monthly Chardikala, Patiala, March 1998) "The writer, Pritpal Singh Bindra, has presented this book containing Muklawa and other fifteen (short stories and fictions). He has done a great service to the people of Indian origin living in England and the America. The efforts he has put in to restore the awareness of heritage among the ethnic communities is commendable. As a result of his endeavour a link has been created between the (native) culture of the immigrant-parents and their offspring.... The English translation of Punjabi Stories could have never achieved the objective.... At the first reading, the collection looks very agile but the writer's pursuit of religious, societal and technical knowledge is very deep; he is capable of elucidating all the points.... High education, teaching in educational sectors in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and England, and working in England has widened his experience.... His greatest ambition, next to learning and service, is to enrich the community through his experience and knowledge! ...."
A reader from France , October 19, 1998
