The Amritsar Literature Fest hosted a special session delving into the profound impact of the Partition on Punjabi theatre. The session, held at Khalsa College, featured discussions by prominent dramatists such as Kewal Dhaliwal, Jatinder Brar, and Atamjit Singh. The speakers explored how Punjabi dramatists vividly depicted the pain and consequences of the 1947 Partition in their plays, drawing on shared experiences and personal narratives.
The Partition of 1947 significantly affected Punjabis, and the trauma endured during that period remains embedded in the hearts of the older generation. The speakers emphasized the role of Punjabi drama in presenting and preserving this painful aspect of history. They discussed adaptations of stories by writers like Manto and Amrita Pritam, who experienced the aftermath of Partition firsthand. Kewal Dhaliwal’s play, “Pul Sirat,” was highlighted for its portrayal of Punjab’s pain from 1947 to 1984 through the perspective of a Muslim girl.
Later in the day, the festival featured a poetic performance by Padma Shri awardee Puran Chand Wadali and Kanwar Grewal. The artists engaged the audience with poetic expressions that traversed famous love stories of Punjab and celebrated cultural identity. Kanwar Grewal urged the younger generation to embrace and preserve the values and traditions taught by Gurus, peers, and saints, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the cultural harmony of Punjab.
