The Write Stuff

His life is not separate from his writing and art. Precisely why, the docu-drama 8216;Gurdial Singh Ji8217;...

Not just the life, but the works of Jnanpith awardee Gurdial Singh form the spine of a docu-drama

His life is not separate from his writing and art. Precisely why, the docu-drama 8216;Gurdial Singh Ji8217;, is not solely a biographical sketch of the Jnanpith awardee, but gives a deep insight into the works of the renowned and contemporary Punjabi writer. Commissioned by the Sahitya Akademi, Delhi, the docu-drama, according to GS Chani, its producer and director is the latest in the series of docu-dramas on the lives of prominent Indian writers, which will form part of a library and will be sold individually as well. The script has been written with inputs from the writer himself, who didn8217;t want it to be just a commentary on his life8217;s events, how he grew up et al, but focus on the integral part of his being, his literary work.

Born into a family of artisans in Malwa, as a boy, Gurdial moulded iron sheets for long hours and encouraged by his school teacher, resumed his studies and went on to be a professor at Punjabi University. His first major work, 8216;Marhi Da Deeva8217; was translated into English as 8216;The Last Flicker8217; and is considered a modern classic. 8216;Anhoe8217;, 8216;Anhe Ghore Da Daan8217;, 8216;Parsa8217;8230;and then notable collection of short stories and also plays followed. Gurdial has won the Punjab Sahitya Akademi Award, the Soviet Land Nehru Award, the Bhai Veer Singh Fiction Award and of course, the Jnanpith. 8220;We8217;ve taken up five major novels and enacted scenes from them as part of the movie. The main characters of the novels talk about Gurdialji, the structure of the novels and themselves. We chose not use commentary, but included interviews of Gurdialji8217;s contemporaries for a terrific flow,8217;8217; adds Chani.

8216;Gurdial Singh Ji8217; will be screened at Punjab Kala Bhavan on September 20 at 5:30 pm.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More