PUNJAB’S ERUDITE PRIDE – KHUSHWANT “BLUNT” SINGH.
Meet Punjab’s erudite pride, Chandigarh-based author Khushwant Singh, who joined the brigade of India’s ‘finding one’s true calling’ authors not too many years ago when he penned his first book, Sikhs Unlimited. Seven years and four books later, his latest book “Maharaja In Denims” is highly acclaimed and listed amongst best sellers. They say writing chooses you rather than the other way around. There couldn’t be an example more perfect than Khushwant. A passionate farmer otherwise, writing to him was always a way to make sense of the world. “Khushwant might not pass class 10, but will certainly write one day,” said his class 10 teacher to his mother at one of the dreaded parent-teacher meets. “These words seemed ominous at that time because passing was all that mattered, but, today they come as a permanent source of motivation and inspiration,” says the effervescent Khushwant. Born in 1972 into a family of citrus growers, he spent first 7 years of his life at the family farm in Hoshiarpur district. When the family shifted to Chandigarh in 1979 to look after the farm in Banur near Chandigarh where it grew paddy and fodder for the elephants and rhinos at Chhatbir zoo, Khushwant was packed off to the prestigious St. John’s High School for attaining better education.
For sport, Khushwant took to equestrian in class 10 and went on to become the National Junior Tent-Pegging champion.” When asked how was he as a teenager, Khushwant makes the Peeping Punjab team crack up with his matter of factly reply. “Ugly,” he says. “My schoolmates called me “hanger” because I was very skinny. I am told they still troll me. I was never a scholar, but always a very tenacious lad and a crusader,” he says candidly. “I always had a mind of my own and was never part of a herd mentality,” adds Mr. Point Blank Singh oops Khushwant Singh.”He mentions that his upbringing was both diverse as well as secular. An extremely hospitable clan, the Singh household was always full of guests. “In fact, people with different political ideologies were regularly camping at our farm house in Hoshiarpur,” he shares. Khushwant began his career as a journalist writing on agricultural issues in 2000, before reporting for Times of India from the Punjab in 2002. His first book, Sikhs Unlimited, celebrating the vast Sikh diaspora, took him on a journey from the UK to the US, interviewing Sikhs who had made significant contributions not just to business, but to society, culture, theater, film industry, sports and food industry. His latest book , a novel, Maharaja in Denims, released two years ago is a historical fiction. Set in Chandigarh, it’s a story whereby a teenager gets flashbacks of being Maharaja Ranjit Singh in his previous birth and starts comparing the Punjab of Maharaja’s time with the teeny-weeny modern Punjab. The book was discussed and showcased at the IAAC New York Lit Festival as a historical fiction from the Indian sub- continent. Khushwant has also penned biographies. One of which introduced to the world the legend of marathon runner Fauja Singh. He also writes a fortnightly column in the Hindustan times. Titled ‘Punjabi By Nature’, it is a unique one, providing sharp and humorous insight into Punjab’s passions, problems, and foibles. Not the kind to mince words, the blunt Khushwant is a vocal advocate for the empowerment of youth through education and opportunity. Little wonder then, that both Khushwant and the column are quite a rage amongst the young people of Punjab. He has also had a stint as the Consulting Editor of the channel, Day and Night TV.
Talking about his latest book, he shares how he’s just completed a biography of one of the tallest and most colorful political leaders of India, who also shares the same habitat as us, Punjab. The manuscript is with the publishers, and the biography should be on the shelves by the end of this year.
A state which hasn’t had too many writers using English as a medium to put their thoughts across, this trailblazer in his own right shares how he gets calls and inbox messages from many youngsters who want to attempt books in English. He recapitulates his journey thus far as “very fulfilling”.”I wonder what sort of a person I would have been if I hadn’t taken up writing? I’ve been able to travel the world. Meet and befriend some of the most exciting men and women. And most importantly remain in a highly stimulated state of mind.” Writing he says has enriched him with experiences. “I can now see things from different perspectives, which perhaps comes once you start viewing the world through the eyes of a writer and a wanderer. Maybe I need to relax a bit now”, says a contented and smiling Khushwant.
His message to the young lot is to not waste their intellect, rather harness it to its optimum potential. “Brawn is a useless virtue. Give your brain a chance.” Golden words those! Here’s wishing this young author the very best. Punjab is very proud to call him its very own.
Written by : Adarsh Gill Brar
