SURREY – Surrey-based Punjabi poet Manga Basi’s drama book “ Dharti Kare Guhar” is a translated version of his original Panjabi book-“Dharti Kare Arjoyi” which was released by South Asian Literary Society of Canada and BC Panjabi Cultural Foundation on October 30 at Senior Cultural Center(Guru Nanak Nivas) in Surrey.
Basi is credited with bringing out four books of poetry earlier and this is has second book of poetry that has been translated into Hindi language. Book is published and printed by Chetna Prakashan of Ludhiana. It is translated by Manjeet Kaur and it contains ten scenes in seventy nine pages.
This function was designed to carry launching of book and tribute ceremony to celebrated singer Jagjit Singh.
M. Rafiq, secretary of SALSOC welcomed the guests and invited Acharya Dwivedi, president, to conduct the first segment of the function. K.S.Parmar “Nadeem” was first critic to comment on Manga’s book. “Manga Basi mostly wrote earlier short poems but this time he tried to write a long one and he did write well. He maintained the poetic flow effectively”, said Nadeem Parmar.
Acharya Dwivedi found that Manga Basi has articulately employed the traditional Hindu myth of Lord Shiva and Parvati to reflect his thoughts and feelings on dreadful environment problems. He has picked up most contemporary burning issues of environment pollution and its sustainability. Dwivedi presented a critical analysis of Manga’s book. The story is unfolded in this manner.
Shiva and Parvati reside in Shivpuri which is far away from earth. Shiv is worried about the chaotic conditions prevailing on earth. Both went four times to earth. and were appalled to hear terrible stories of earth, river, tree, ocean, birds and living creatures. Both were informed that how human beings are exploiting natural resources, terrorizing living creatures, destroying the forests, polluting the river and lake waters. Shiva advised people on earth to overcome their greed, lust and demonizing activities and all have to work together, free from national, economical, ethnical and religious considerations, to meet the challenges of environment only then it can be protected.
“Manga Basi has used blank verse to depict his story. The language is simple but effective. The device of dialogue is being applied to maintain the proper flow of story. No doubt, he is brilliant in presenting his views and thoughts on environment. And by doing so he has cultivated an environment’s awareness”, was the closing remark of Dwivedi.
Ashok Bhragava admired Manga’s poetic creativity. In his analysis he quoted many lines from book to support his arguments. He realized that Manga tried to tackle burning environmental problems and he certainly has found some tangible solutions. Ashok congratulated him for his wonderful piece of literature.
NDP MPs Jinny Sims and Jasbir Sandhu and MLA Harry Bains also attended the function and congratulated Manga Basi for enriching the Panjabi and Hindi literature through his literary writings. Sadhu Singh, Inderjit Sidhu, Amrik, Bakh Shinder, Gurpreet Singh and M. A. Malik also appreciated Manga Basi’s literary contribution.
