About Shiv Kumar Batalvi
Shiv Kumar Batalvi was a popular poet who wrote in the Punjabi language and was quite famous for his romantic poetry. He wrote about heightened passion, separation, lovers’ agony, and pathos. He was born in Barapind, Punjab (present-day Pakistan) on July 23, 1936, and died merely at the age of 36 in Punjab on May 6, 1973.
Despite dying at a young age, his work is still remembered till date, thanks to its passion and drive that was evident in his masterpieces. In the present times, the poetry of Shiv Kumar Batalvi is fondly remembered and is still read widely amongst the modern Punjabi poetry stalwarts such as Mohan Singh, Amrita Pritam and many more.
Shiv Kumar Batalvi As A Young Boy
At the age of 11 after the partition of India and Pakistan, his family moved with him to the Batala Gurdaspur district where he received the entirety of the primary education. Shiv Kumar Batalvi was popular as a dreamy child who was known to often disappear for a good part of the day.
Later, he would be found lying under some tree or another close to the Hindu temple by the riverbank, lost in a reverie. The little boy was fascinated and super intrigued by the local renditions of Ramayana and other Hindu mythological epics.
He was likewise curious about snake charmers and the wandering minstrel singers around him. As a result of the exposure to all these rural flavors, a lot of similar metaphors and hints can be found in abundance in his poetry.
In a few words, the early life of Shiv Kumar Batalvi played a major role in his adult life and reflected well in his works.
The Legacy of Shiv Kumar Batalvi
One of his many works, an anthology named Alvida which mean “Farewell” in English was published in 1974 posthumously. The Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar published it after his death. In addition to that, an award is also named after him, known as the Shiv Kumar Batalvi Award that is given out each year to the Best Writer.
Therefore, it is evident that even after his death numerous years ago, his legacy is still celebrated in the form of his work and awards after his name. This is a clear indication of his excellent work.
Shiv Kumar Batalvi Books
During his life, Shiv Kumar Batalvi worked on and published some memorable books such as Main Te Main, Asan Joban Rute Marna, Peeran De Paraga, Birha Tu Sultan, Chup De Awaz, Loona and Bid Me Farewell.
Besides all these works, there is, of course, his anthology named Alvida. All of these books are diverse in their message, and his poetry has a deep sense of pathos and the celebration of love as well as a lover’s agony.
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When reading his books and poetry, it is easy to lose yourself in words and picture the events in front of your eyes. That is the magic of the work done by Shiv Kumar Batalvi.
Shiv Kumar Batalvi Songs
Shiv Kumar Batalvi also wrote a lot of popular songs in his life that still have an audience today and are adored by his fans. His work as a poet and an author was as celebrated as his work as a lyricist. He wrote amazing songs such as Ik Kudi Jehda Naam Mohabbat, Peedan Da Paraga, Mainoo Tera Shabab Lai Baitha, Aaj Din Charehya and much more.
As is evident from his songs, Shiv Kumar Batalvi was a passionate person who could weave magic with his words. These blockbuster songs are widely popular today in a variety of Bollywood movies, more so because of their lyrics than the music, although the music is quite good too.
The Final Days of Shiv Kumar Batalvi
After returning to India from England in the year 1972, the poet’s health had visibly declined. During that time, he began to complain bitterly about the leftist and progressive writers who unduly criticized his poetry.
He was so annoyed by these remarks on his poetry that he began to demonstrate his disappointment openly at all the unjustified condemnation of his writings and poetry. Merely a few months after he had returned to his home country, there was an evident decline in his health, and he never recovered from it.
In addition to that, he was also in a massive financial predicament at that time and just when he needed it most, the majority of his friends also deserted him. This was when he most understood the people who were there for him and his wife, Arun stood by him like a rock.
Conclusion
Shiv Kumar Batalvi is an inspirational figure and is remembered even today for not just his work but for his life as well.
