HAIKU IN PUNJABI
editor and translator: Arvinder Kaur
Haiku entered the life of Punjabis in a big way when Parminder Sodhi published his book
of translation of Japanese haiku Japani Haiku Shayari. Influenced by Sodhi’s book, Amarjit Sathi took to writing and promoting Punjabi haiku and made it his life’s mission. With a handful of like-minded haijin he started an online Punjabi haiku group that has exerted a great influence on Punjabi haiku poets and has been responsible for shaping their sensibilities.
Several books, translations as well as originals, have appeared since then. International
haiku conferences have been organised by Punjabi Haiku Forum in collaboration with Punjabi
University Patiala. It is heartening to note that the response to the conferences has been
overwhelming.
Punjabi haiku scene is extremely volatile at the moment. It seems ready for big strides
and is making its presence felt in the mainstream Punjabi literature. Hardliners are putting
up a resistance but haiku in Punjabi, with its emotional and cultural appeal, seems ready to
overcome all obstacles. Thematically, Punjabi haiku is exploring almost all areas of life and
Nature. Punjab’s rich cultural heritage holds a very special and sacred place in the hearts
of its haijin and hence it is written about with a lot of love and affection both by the native
poets and the diaspora. A strong feel of the “here and now,” the depiction of everyday harsh
realities, the pining for the beloved in the romantic month of Sawan, the tender nuances of
relationships, and of course the typical Punjabi rustic humour all form subjects for Punjabi
haiku which has a huge readership and hence a bright future. ghar vapsi— home coming—
ambi de boote vich jhoot rahi swinging in the mango tree
maa di lori mother’s lullaby
—Sandip Chauhan
meenh dhota chan— rain-washed moon—
keet val kirli di the lizard’s balanced walk
tulvin chal towards an insect
—Ranjit Singh Sra
kania— raindrops . . .
khule verandeh ‘ch faili spreading through the verandah
basmati di khushbo the scent of basmati
mehak vihune scentless
diary de vich in the diary
sukke phul dry flowers
—Amarjit Sathi
jhone di luyai— sowing paddy—
kirti kudi de pairan heth under the young girl’s feet
tapda sooraj the burning sun
—Harvinder Dhaliwal