Ajmer Rode is a Canadian author writing in Punjabi as well as in English. His first work was non-fiction Vishva Di Nuhar on Albert Einstein's Relativity in dialogue form inspired by Plato's Republic. Published by the Punjabi University in 1966, the book initiated a series of university publications on popular science and sociology. Rode's first poetry book Surti influenced by science and philosophical explorations was experimental and in words of critic Dr. Attar Singh 'has extended the scope of Punjabi language and given a new turn to Punjabi poetry'. His most recent poetry book Leela, more than 1000 pages long and co-authored with Navtej Bharati, is counted among the outstanding Punjabi literary works of the twentieth century.
Jaswant Singh Kanwal was an Indian novelist, short story writer and essayist of the Punjabi language. He was born in the village of Dhudike, Moga District, Punjab, India. As a young teenager he left school and went to Malaya. It was there that he first got interested in literature. He returned to Dhudike after a few years and has lived there ever since. He was awarded the Punjabi Sahit Shiromani Award in the year 2007.
Kuldeep Manak, also spelled as Kuldip Manak, was an Indian singer best known for singing a rare genre of Punjabi music, kali, also known by its plural form kalian or kaliyan. Manak is generally regarded as one of the greatest Punjabi artists of all time. His high pitched strong voice was unique, and instantly recognisable. A statue of Manak has been erected in Ludhiana near his residence as a tribute.
Kulwant Singh Virk was an Indian-born author who wrote mostly in Punjabi but also extensively in English. His short stories were translated into several other languages, including Russian and Japanese.
Giani Gurdit Singh was born in Mithewal village in the state of Punjab, India. He was considered one of the greatest contemporary writers in Punjabi, and his book Mera Pind is regarded as a classic. It is now in its 14th edition and has been in print continuously since 1961. He was also a pioneering journalist, the Owner-Editor of Parkash from 1947–1978. He was also the editor of Singh Sabha Patrika, a monthly magazine of Sikh history and divinity. Giani Gurdit Singh graduated as "Giani" from Punjab University, Lahore in 1945, and he specialised in literature, divinity, history and folklore. He was a member of the Punjab Legislative Council from 1956 to 1962. He contributed to the debates at that time and in the creation of Punjabi University, Patiala and the recognition of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, as the 5th Takht of the Sikhs. He was General Secretary of the Singh Sabha Shatabadi Committee, Amritsar, renamed Kendriya Sri Guru Singh Sabha. As the editor of the magazine Singh Sabha Patrika, he focused on issues of importance to the Sikhs. He also established two Guru Granth Vidya Kendras, one in Chandigarh and another in Mehrauli, Delhi.
Sardar Gurbachan Singh was a Sikh scholar, professor, and author. He was born in Moonak, Sangrur district. He was a lecturer at the Sikh National College at Lahore. At the Banaras Hindu University he held the Guru Nanak Chair of Sikh Studies. He received the Padma Bhushan in 1985. He received in 1985 the National fellowship by the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi.
Gulzar Singh Sandhu is a prominent Punjabi language writer. He won the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award, given by the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, for his short story collection, Amar Katha in 1982. Among other awards he was also the recipient of International Association of Authors, Playwrights and Artists of Canada in 1992 and Shiromani Punjabi Sahityakar Puraskar from the Education Department of Punjab in 2001.
Dalip Kaur Tiwana was one of the foremost novelists and short-story writers of contemporary Punjabi literature. She won awards, both regional and national, and was a widely translated author. She retired as Professor of Punjabi, and Dean, from Punjabi University, Patiala. She is widely credited as a tour-de-force in the creation of the contemporary literature in the Punjabi language.
Sadhu Singh Hamdard (1918–1984) was an Indian freedom fighter and journalist, excelling in both Urdu and Punjabi and an innovative poet, who carried in his name the pseudonym 'Hamdard', "sharing with all the pangs of their hearts," "friendly towards all."
Priti Sapru is an Indian actress known for her works in Punjabi and Hindi cinema. She appeared in a number of films, including Nimmo, and Qurbani Jatt Di, among others, with actors Veerendra, Gurdas Maan and Raj Babbar.
Patiala State was a kingdom and princely state in British India, and one of the Phulkian States, that acceded to the Union of India upon Indian independence and partition in 1947. The state was founded by Ala Singh in 1762. Patiala State was the largest and most important princely state in the Punjab Province. The state's ruler, the Maharaja of Patiala, was entitled to a 17-gun salute and held precedence over all other princes in the Punjab Province during the British Raj. The state was ruled by Jat Sikhs of the Sidhu gotra (clan).
The Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) was a Sikh political party in India, formed after a split in the Shiromani Akali Dal. The party was led by Gurcharan Singh Tohra.
Ram Sarup Ankhi was an Indian writer, poet, and novelist who wrote in Punjabi. He started as a poet but ended up as a fiction writer. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award by the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters in 1987 for his novel Kothe Kharak Singh.
Teeyan, also known as Teeyan Da Teohar or Teej, is a festival celebrated throughout Punjab which is dedicated to the onset of the monsoon and focuses on daughters sisters, and mothers.
Dr. Harcharan Singh (1914–2006) was an Indian dramatist and writer in the Punjabi language. He dedicated 69 years of his life to Punjabi theater, in which he authored 51 books and staged numerous plays all over the world.
Narinder Singh , also spelt as Narendra Singh, was the Maharaja of the princely state of Patiala from 1845 to 1862. He was one of the first local rulers to receive the Order of the Star of India and was a member of the Indian Legislative Council during Lord Canning's Viceroyalty.
Jagjit Singh Dardi is an Indian journalist and an educationist from Punjab. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Punjabi language daily newspaper Chardikala, a newspaper that was started in 1977. In 1970 Dardi started a fortnightly Charhdikala Marg, whose Founder Editor was his father G Harnam Singh. This fortnightly paper was converted into a daily newspaper in 1977. He is the Chairman of the Punjabi news channel Chardilkala Time TV. He is also the Chairman of Sri Guru Harkrishan Group of Institutes, a chain of higher education institutes. He was awarded Padma Shri in the year 2022 for his services in national integration, communal harmony, contributions in the field of media, education and promotion of Punjabi language, culture and heritage.In 2022, Department of Public Relations Chandigarh administration announced Dardi as a Chairperson of the Chandigarh Press Accreditation Committee.
The Akhbar Sri Darbar Sahib Sri Amritsar Ji, also known simply as Akhbar Sri Darbar Sahib, was a Braj-language fortnightly newspaper written in Gurmukhi script that was founded in Amritsar in 1867. It was one of the first Gurmukhi and Sikh newspapers.
