New Delhi:
Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley and the Beatles are some names which rocked international markets in 1960, but in domestic land the man who was shining bright was none other than famous poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi.
In a time when poets were in demand and youth used to count them as their idols, Shiv Kumar Batalvi (23 July 1936 – 7 May 1973) emerged like a meteor.
Born in Shakargarh Tehsil, Punjab, Shiv Kumar became one of the youngest recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1967. His poetry was rooted in the soil and inspired by folk songs and tragic ‘quissas’ it went straight to the hearts of the listeners.
His fame multiplied after he left all of us at a very young age. The 36-year-old poet took his last breath on May 7, 1973 after his health deteriorated unexpectedly.
Batalvi's poem had such a charisma that even in today's world his poems are being sung by many singers. Recently, Diljit Dosanjh sung his poem "Ek Kudi Jihda Naam Mohabbat Ghum Hai" for his movie 'Udta Punjab'.
Several of his poems have been adapted for movies, e.g. “Ajj Din Chhadeya Tere Rang Varga,” were adapted in 2009 Hindi movie Love Aaj Kal which became an instant hit.
In 2012, Jasleen Royal sung his poem "Panchee Ho javan" in the album with same name. Another song in the list is "Maye Ni" based on the poem "Maye ni Maye".
Not just his poems are being used, there is a legacy that follows his name. One of his anthologies, Alvida (Farewell) was published posthumously in 1974, by the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. 'Shiv Kumar Batalvi Award' for Best Writer, is given each year.
