A Book Review

"Pacchmi Lehran, Western Waves" in Punjabi. A collection of Punjabi Poems Published in America. Published by LEAP Publications, P. O. Box 428, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303, U.S.A. Soft Cover Pages 243. Price Canada $15.

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An eighteenth century German poet said, "Not only England, but every Englishman is an island". It may or may not be true for an Englishman but it certainly portrays the true character of a Punjabi; when he goes out of Punjab, whether in India or abroad he takes his culture with him, and creates his own island there. Within last ten years, the emergence of Punjabi Folk music, from the streets of Birmingham and Southall (England), is a typical example. In the academic and religious fields the work done by the Punjabi scholars in the West (sometimes derogatory may be) surpasses the research conducted in the native Punjab itself.

And the realm of Punjabi Literature and Poetry is not lagging far behind.

I had the opportunity of listening to Preetam Singh Dhanjal a few times. His ever smiling expression, eloquently pouring out his enchanting verses, always impressed me, and I looked forward to the release of Pacchmi Lehran (Western Waves) containing a few of his poems. The book was released in the presence of a distinguished gathering at Albion Road Library, Etobicoke, Ontario on October 2, 1994. Apart from Preetam it accommodates the works of eight other eminent* personalities, scattered over 195 poems. All the poets are North America residents.

Although the contributors are mundane professionals, some of their poetic flights are simply sublime. The variety of subjects caters for almost all types of human moods. One can find serenity of Bhai Vir singh, romance of Shiv Kumar, Amrita Preetam's intellectual depth, Prof. Mohan Singh's realism, Prof. Pooran Singh's devotion and Ishar Singh Bhaiya's domestic irony.

The contents have been divided into six parts. In a very light mood the first part, (Away From Punjab), deals with the adaptation of Western values by the new arrivals; Ranjha changes the children's clothes and prepares the food, the Chandigarh's coquettish is now `Sherry' and she is picking up strawberries at in-law's farm, the daughter-in-law gets free baby sitter and the mother-in-law remembers the days her daughter-in-law used to serve her, but now with unenduring tasks she is crying away in the corners.

In the second chapter the overseas remembrances touch his thought; he wants to fly away and go back to the mango tree for beloved's last glance, he remembers his friends, relatives and young husbands annihilated by his own army people. (Unfortunately the last poem in this section, `A Trip To Jamaica' presents an absolute gloomy picture of the place, poet ignores the most charming aspects of Jamaican life, its music, reggae and bamboo dance).

Some of the Ghazals and Rubaiyats in the third part give most contemplative effect to the serious readers. A few Rubaiyis touch the perception of Omare Khaiyam.

In the section, `Spiritual Light' the poets, by singing the praises of the nature are searching for celestial values. They define the soldier saint, and once again seek the protection of the Guru's sword for unity and justice.

The fifth and the longest section is the combination of Romance, Anguish, Solace and Thorns and Thistles. There is smile in reminiscence, a desire to express anguish in the open, unfinished picture of the beloved does not matter as it is already fully carved on the lover's heart, one is longing to recapture the childhood on reaching the old age, surrounded by the walls created by her mother, father, brother, and public honour she forces herself to a termination (but she is not inspired to break the wall), the drinking is considered the source of all evils (but, sometimes it can help to resolve, "What am I?"), the innocence of a child is the roll model for a trouble free life, and the modern beloved is more interested in diamonds than the hollow pretensions.

The last section depicts the poets' love for their native Punjab; its valorous past, its festivals laced with folk dances, and its tall trees with romances under their shades. But the poet laments the way Punjab's glory is trodden down now with the exploitation of its innocence and trustworthiness.

The essence of the contents lies in the poet's longing for his native land:

Flew we did,

Thousands of miles.

And for the love of good life,

We paid a heavy price.

Live we do far away but,

Forget not our demeanour.

`Preetam' habitually grazes there,

Where grass is seemingly greener.

(Preetam Singh Dhanjal.

Eng.Tr. Pritpal Singh Bindra)

*Anant Pal Singh/Ohio, Dr.Harinder Singh Ghuman/Maryland, Karnail Singh Giyani/Pennsylvania, Kulbir Singh Padha/Texas, Dr. Jaswant Singh Bagga/Michigan, Daljit Ranaji/Pennsylvania, Preetam Singh Dhanjal/Ontario, Dr. Mohinder Singh Poonia/California and Rajinder Singh Jally/Virginia.