Santokh Singh Dhir

Santokh Singh Dhir Biography

Santokh Singh Dhir (Santokh Singh Dheer) was a noted Punjabi writer and poet from Punjab, India. He is known for his stories Koee Ik Sawaar, Sanjhi Kandh and Saver Hon Tak. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his story collection, Pakhi (1991) in 1996. Kartar Singh Dhaliwal Sharv Sharest Award in 2002 and Shromani Sahitkar Award by Department of Punjab language in 1991 are the major honours received by him. He was awarded life fellowships by Punjabi University, Guru Nanak Dev University and Punjabi Sahit Sabha, Delhi. Apart from poems, he has contributed to Punjabi literature in the form of novels and short stories.

Singh was born on 2 December 1920 in the village of Dadherhi, Indian Punjab to a Sikh father and Hindu mother. His father Giani Isher Singh Dard was a poet and his mother Jamni Devi (who later changed named to Gursharan Kaur) was a housewife. He started his career as a tailor and later had a stint of journalism for a brief time. He worked for Preetlarhi, a monthly magazine as journalist for a short time. Then he completely concentrated his time to become a full time writer. He published a total of about 50 books.  

His noted poetry works are Guddian Patole (1944), Kaali Barchhi, Jadon Aseen Aavange, Pahu Phutala (1948), Dharti Mangdi Meenh Ve (1952) and Patt Jharhe Purane (1955). His published novels are     Sharaabi (1963), Yaadgar (1979), Hindustan Hamaara and Navaan Zamaana. Koee Ik Sawaar, Chhittian Dee Chhaven (1950), Saver Hon Tak (1955), Sanjhi Kandh (1958), Sharaab Da Glass (1970), Sheran Dee Awaz (1988) and Pakhi (1991) are among his noted short story collections. He was married to Surinder Kaur and had 5 children.

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Updated: January 21, 2014